Spring has sprung, and while some parts of the country may not be feeling the effects of the vibrant season *just* yet, there is a hack for that — flowers. If they’re not growing from your garden, you can always pick up a bouquet to give your home or office that much-needed post-winter indoor garden vibe. After selecting the perfect bunch to accompany that springy wallpaper you just DLed, we have a cheat sheet on how to keep your pretty petals blooming for longer than your latest binge-watching spree. The folks from Serenata Flowers gave us an exclusive sneak peek at the ultimate infographic that has all the tips needed to keep your flowers looking fresh forever.
1. Keep Flowers Well-Groomed
Just like you, flowers need some manicuring. After deciding on your beautiful bounty, cut the stems correctly (half an inch + slanted) then get to arranging those studs before they splash down in water.
2. Harden the Flowers
Bet you didn’t realize flowers should be placed in 110°F water. Us either. But the more you know, right? By placing your stems in warmer than body temp H2O, you’re allowing the flowers to get their hydration on. Strong stems equal strong flowers.
3. Preserve Flowers With Hairspray
You better believe the stiffening spray from aerosol cans you used (or still use) provides the same effect on those blooms. Spray the petals + hang ’em upside down with the stuff. Before you know it, you’ll be looking at so-gorgeous-they-look-fake buds.
4. Don’t Mix Flowers With Fruit
Although fruits + flowers look gorgeous together in photos, they shouldn’t be hanging together like BFFs all the time. Many fruits can cause your gorgeous bouquets to rot, leading you to tears
5. Keep Flowers Well Fed
DIY soda or store bought preservatives are great options for your vase fillers’ hunger pains. Pour a concoction into the vase and whet that appetite.
6. Clean Your Vases
So. Many. Vases. So little time. Whichever (or however many) you choose, keep ’em clean to keep those fleurs thriving.
7. Keep Flowers Away From Appliances
While this may be a DUH moment for many, sometimes we can’t help but liven up our desks or entertainment stations with a vase or two. Sadly, by adding some floral accents to our tech devices, we’re slowly killing ’em. So keep your buds hydrated in a cool spot with plenty of light and they definitely won’t be pushing up daisies.
How do you get your flowers to stay fresh longer? Tweet us and tell us!
Wesley Brinkhurst, VP Head of Marketing at Office Depot
