Is watering cut flowers with bleach a hack or a hoax? It’s no wonder this is a question we get often. It sounds a little odd. One might imagine that putting bleach into water with your cut flowers would cause them to go into shock! No–in fact, it’s just the opposite. Watering cut flowers with bleach is one of the secrets to keeping your flower arrangements looking fresher, longer.
The Benefits of Watering Cut Flowers with Bleach:
- helps prevent your water from getting cloudy
- inhibits bacteria growth
- extends the life of cut flowers
Of course, keeping your flowers lively-looking takes more than simply adding bleach to the water Let’s go over the steps of this process to entend the freshness of your flowers.
Wondering if watering cut flowers with bleach will extend their life or if this hack is a hoax? It’s no wonder this is a question we get often. It sounds a little odd. One might imagine that putting bleach into water with your cut flowers would cause them to go into shock! No–in fact, it’s just the opposite. Watering cut flowers with bleach is one of the secrets to keeping your flower arrangements looking fresher, longer.
The Benefits of Watering Cut Flowers with Bleach:
- helps prevent your water from getting cloudy
- inhibits bacteria growth
- extends the life of cut flowers
Of course, keeping your flowers lively-looking takes more than simply adding bleach to the water Let’s go over the steps of this process to entend the freshness of your flowers.
How to Extend The Freshness of Cut Flowers With Bleach
1. Clean the Vase
The cut flower arrangements you order from your local florist will no doubt come in a vase or container of their own, but eventually you may want to refresh the water as you are doing your flower maintenance. Before you return the flowers to the vase, wash it with warm, soapy water and rinse well to remove any bacteria or residue.
2. Clean Stems
Take a good look at the stems of your flowers, while you have them out. Trim away any leaves or buds that will be below the water line, otherwise they will rot within the water, creating bacteria.
3. Recut Stems
When it’s time to change the water, it’s probably time to recut your stems. Don’t use household scissors or blunt knives to do this; these tend to pinch the bottom of the stem closed, preventing water or nutrients from reaching the flower. Cut your stems at an angle while they are either under running water, or in a basin of water.
4. Add Bleach to Water
Once you’ve gone through the other steps, it’s time to prepare your water. How much bleach you add to your water to preserve the flower’s freshness depends primarily on the size of your container. Some florist’s recipes suggest you add 1/4 teaspoon of bleach per quart of water; others suggest mixing three drops of bleach with one teaspoon of sugar per quart of water.
Different species of flowers sometimes call for different care. Don’t be shy about asking our local florists in BloomNation.com’s floral marketplace for ideas on keeping your bouquets looking fresh for days longer. Each florist is expert in their profession and are happy to share their combined experiences. Or leave your questions or your own recipes in comments. We’d love to hear from you!