With Valentine’s Day right around the corner, you’ve probably had visions of rose bouquets and heart-shaped succulents running through your head. Even if you know what type of flowers you’re ordering for your partner, mom, and BFF, you can always learn something new. That’s why we’re introducing you to some flower hacks that will help your flowers (and your love) keep blooming.
First, we’ll let you in on some tricks to help your flowers last as long as possible. Next, we’ll introduce you to some unique ideas to spice up classic arrangements. Finally, we’ll introduce you to some ways you can give your bouquet a second life.
Make Your Flowers Last Longer
If you wish your flowers could keep blooming forever, you’re not alone. The good news is that there are some ways you can extend the life of your flowers. Check out these tips to transform your flowers from a short-lived fling to a long-term relationship.
Give Your Stems a Fresh Cut
Sometimes the simplest gestures go a long way! Just think about how holding the door for a stranger or surprising your partner with their favorite candy can spark a smile. Well, the same holds true for flowers.
When you bring your bouquet home, you should give each stem a fresh cut. This will help your flowers drink up as much water as possible.
Cut each stem at a 45º angle; this will give stems a large surface area to absorb water. While a pair of pruning shears is the best tool for the job, a sharp pair of scissors will also do the trick. Just make sure you clean your tool with soap and water before using it.
While one cut is generally sufficient, it won’t hurt to re-trim your stems every few days.
Make Your Own Flower Food
If your bouquet comes with a packet of flower food, don’t toss it in the trash or let it sit on the counter! This little packet has everything your flowers need to live a long, healthy life. Trust us, you’ll want to enjoy your Valentine’s flower arrangements for as long as possible.
However, sometimes your bouquet doesn’t come with flower food, or you use it all up before you’re done enjoying your arrangement. If that’s the case, you can make your own flower food.
Most flower food packers contain three simple ingredients: sugar, bleach, and citric acid.
- Sugar takes the place of food plants normally produce during photosynthesis.
- Bleach kills bacteria and fungi that can speed up your flower’s decline.
- Citric acid lowers the water pH which helps stems drink up more water.
Fortunately, these ingredients aren’t too hard to find! That means it’s easy to make your own flower food.
To replace that little packet, add the following to one quart of water.
- one tablespoon of sugar
- two tablespoons of lemon juice
- half of a tablespoon of bleach
While you may hear about ideas like adding a coin to your vase or spraying your flowers with hairspray, these are old wives’ tales. Stick to the tried and true flower food if you want your flowers to last as long as possible.
Use Warm Water
While stems will eventually take up water of any temperature, flowers have an easier time drinking up warm water. If you find your bouquet arrives a bit wilted, fill a vase with warm water and watch your flowers come back to life.
Try Some Unique Flower Ideas
While your loved one will appreciate any flowers, sometimes you want to give them something they’ve never seen before. If that’s the case, check out these hacks for adding some creativity to your flower arrangements.
Think Outside the Vase
While there’s nothing wrong with a classic glass vase, don’t think you’re limited to these materials. If you’re ordering an arrangement for your partner or shopping for Galentine’s Day flower bouquets, appeal to your loved ones’ interests with these creative options.
Vintage China
You know that old teapot you have hiding in the back of your cupboard? Repurpose it as a vase! Vintage china adds a romantic twist to all sorts of bouquets.
If you don’t have any teapots and cups lying around your house (or you don’t want to part with the ones you do have), check out an antique store or thrift shop. These places often have beautiful items at affordable prices.
Their Favorite Liquor
Take a moment to pause before you toss that old liquor bottle. These tall, narrow-neck bottles hold small bouquets or single stems with ease. Plus, the modern artwork or stylish lettering on many bottles is a bonus.
Just make sure you thoroughly rinse your bottle before repurposing it as a vase.
A Vase in a Vase
Another option is to place your flowers in a vase and then nestle this in a slightly larger vase. Fill the gap in between the two vases with pebbles, pinecones, or anything else.
Release Worry with Dried Flowers
While it’s hard to imagine, fresh flowers aren’t for everyone. Some people don’t like to deal with a vase full of water and others stress at the thought of a wilted bouquet. When that’s the case, don’t forgo flowers entirely. Instead, opt for a dried flower arrangement!
As you might expect, dried flower arrangements don’t require water. All you need to do is place them in a container and enjoy!
Try Out Something New
While time-tested classics like roses and tulips have earned their places in the cut flower hall of fame, there are many other types of flowers available. Today, you can choose from hundreds of different types of blooms and even more individual varieties. The following flowers are all excellent unique Valentine’s flower options.
Spider Mums
You’ve probably associated mums with autumn porches, but these are a diverse group of flowers. Spider mums have long, thin petals that resemble spider legs. Some types have petals with curved ends, leading to a frighteningly beautiful look.
Protea
Also known as sugarbushes, protea are a group of flowers with large, dramatic blooms. Each protea varies a bit in appearance, so you can spend a year with proteas and never become bored. Some popular varieties include the crown-like king protea, the properly named pincushion protea, and the star-shaped blushing bride protea.
Scabiosa
Also known as the pincushion flower, each scabiosa bloom has a spiky center surrounded by delicate petals. Look for flowers in shades of pink, periwinkle, burgundy, and more.
Sea Holly
Sea holly flowers pack a punch with two rare attributes: they’re blue and spiky! While the toothed petals look a bit scary, don’t let them frighten you away. Sea holly flowers work great as cut flowers and add an unexpected touch.
Bring Home a Bulb or Plant
If you’re looking for a gift for a plant lover, but don’t want to give a bouquet, you’ve got other options.
One option is to pick up a bulb and plant it indoors. Humans have figured out to force bulbs into dormancy so they can bloom at any time of the year. Pick up your favorite forced bulb (tulips, paperwhites, and amaryllis are some of our favs), place it in a pot of potting soil, and give it some water. After a bit of time in a warm environment, the bulb will burst with leaves and flowers.
Another option is to order a houseplant. For greenery-loving folks, consider a monstera or prayer plant. And if you’d like flowers and greenery, you can’t go wrong with orchids for Valentine’s Day.
Give Old Arrangments a New Life
Whether you order cheap Valentine’s flowers or a top-shelf bouquet, your flowers won’t last forever. After you’ve enjoyed your flowers for a few days, one option is to toss them. However, there are tons of ways you can reuse old bouquets so they keep blooming.
A Petal Filled Bath
Doe anything sound more relaxing than a candlelit bathtub filled with rose petals? We don’t think so. As your flowers begin to fade, strip off the petals and place them in a container. Once you have a good collection of delicate petals, add them to your bathtub for a moment of relaxing bliss.
Pressed Flower Cards
If you want to save your flowers for another day, try pressing them. Simply place flowers or individual petals in a book and gently close. Put some more books on top and allow the flowers to dry. After about a week, remove the dried flowers. At this point, you can glue the pressed flowers to the front of a blank card.
Flower Bath Salts
Another option is to allow the flowers to dry and then mix them with Epsom salts. If you find your blooms aren’t very fragrant, add a few drops of your favorite essential oil. The next time you want a relaxing bath, add a bit of these flower salts.
Love that Keeps Blooming
By ordering farm-fresh flowers and following a few of our Valentine’s Day flower hacks, you’ll be on your way to creating a life filled with love.
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