Flower Care Archives

How to Grow, Handle, and Care for Sunflowers

Sunflowers come in a variety of colors and sizes, but the most familiar type is the annual sunflower that grows to 10-feet tall. It has thick, fuzzy stems, heart-shaped leaves, and bright yellow petals circling the flat flower head, from which small, fertile flowers bloom and develop into seeds that make for good snacking (read until the end to find out how to dry them yourself).

These beautiful, colorful flowers can enhance any garden or living space — if you take care of them the right way.

Growing sunflowers in a garden

You can grow sunflowers from seeds or small plants that you buy. They are either annual or perennial, depending on the variety and region where they are grown. Many sunflower varieties are perennial in USDA hardiness zones 4 to 8, and some are annual or grown as annuals.

Choosing the right spot

care for sunflowers with sunflowers growing in the sun

True to their name, sunflowers love the sun and will bend to follow it as it moves across the sky. Choose a spot in the garden that gets six to eight hours of sunshine a day. Tall sunflowers are stunning against a bright fence or wall, and shorter varieties, with smaller flowers in yellow, orange, maroon, or brown colors, liven up a sunny bed or border. They bloom all summer into fall, providing consistently bright colors to the garden as other flowers bloom and fade.

Planting your sunflowers

Your sunny spot needs to have loose, well-draining soil that allows the sunflower’s roots to easily grow down and establish strong support for the tall plant. If you’re seeding sunflowers directly into the ground, dig a hole 12 to 24 inches deep, and mix in some compost or other organic matter with the native soil.

care for sunflowers with couple watering seedlings

Plant the seeds two to three weeks before the last predicted frost. Drop them into holes 1 to 2 inches deep and water them thoroughly. You can plant multiple seeds to give yourself the best chance for a healthy crop; after they’ve grown to about 6 inches tall, thin out the weakest, smallest seedlings. Tall sunflowers will need to be thinned to 1 to 2 feet apart, but smaller varieties can be thinned closer together. You can gauge the best distance apart by how tall or branching your varieties will be.

If you want to start the seeds inside, plant them in a loose seed-starting mix five to seven weeks before the last expected frost. It will take them about seven to 10 days to sprout. Then, after the date of the last estimated frost, acclimate the seedlings to the cold weather by setting them outside a week before you want to plant them. Dig small holes and gently transfer the seedlings from their starting pots to the soil. Water them thoroughly.

Small plants bought at a garden center can be set in the garden in the late spring or early summer. Tall sunflowers should be set 1 to 2 feet apart; smaller varieties can be set closer. Water them well, and watch them grow.

Care after planting

Sunflowers don’t require a lot of care since they’re drought and heat tolerant, and resistant to pests. They are, however, heavy feeders. You can add a weak dilution of liquid fertilizer at planting to encourage good root growth, and then apply a liquid fertilizer monthly throughout the growing season. Sunflowers tolerate periods of drought, but they will be healthier and produce larger flowers if their soil is moist. When you water, stay a good 3 to 5 inches from the stems of the plants to prevent fungal disease. As an alternative, you can mix a circle of slow-release, granular fertilizer into the soil around the plants once in the spring.

Growing sunflowers in containers

care for sunflowers with sunflowers growing in a container

Shorter varieties of sunflowers can grow very well in containers. They will need a good-quality, well-draining potting mix and a big enough pot so that their taproots can develop. Sunflowers that grow up to 2-feet tall will need 10-to-12-inch pots, and those that grow to 4 or 5 feet or more will need 3-to-5-gallon pots. Make sure the pot is deep and has at least one drainage hole to keep the roots healthy and prevent root rot.

Set the pot in a bright spot that gets sun for a good portion of the day. When the soil is dry, water 1 to 2 inches down from the top. Fertilize with a weak liquid fertilizer two to three times over the spring and summer or work some slow-release fertilizer into the soil once in the spring. Take care to keep both the water and fertilizer away from the stems of the plant to keep them from developing a fungal disease.

How to prepare a cut sunflower

Cutting sunflowers early in the morning will give you the best chance for fresh flowers that haven’t wilted in the heat and sun. Use a clean, sharp knife or clippers and trim the ends at an angle before putting them in a vase.

Choose a clean vase that is tall enough to support the stems, and fill the vase with lukewarm water. The flowers should last about a week if you change the water every day. Keep them in a cool part of the house, away from direct sunlight.

Drying sunflowers for seeds

Sunflower seeds are a healthy snack for people as well as wild birds, and harvesting them from your flowers is a simple procedure. The traditional tall sunflower varieties with large flower heads are better for seeds than the new hybrids that have been developed for their smaller, colorful, ornamental flowers.

care for sunflowers with girl holding sunflower seed

Toward the end of the summer, when the leaves are wilted and have turned yellow, and the petals are drooping and going by, the seeds should be brown and plump, and ready for harvesting.

Cut the stalks about a foot down from the flowers and either hang them up or set them out to dry for about five days. If they’re drying outside, be sure to cover them so birds won’t get to them before you do.

After that time, rub the seeds off with gloves or a tool, and collect them in a pan. Spread the seeds out so they are all exposed to the air and pick out any dried petals or leaves. Let them sit overnight to dry further, and voila! You have your own homegrown, healthy snack.

Flower-Flavored Dessert: Homemade Rose Water Ice Cream

Rose water may sound like something you might find in your grandma’s perfume collection, but this fragrant liquid has been used for thousands of years for its medicinal purposes. Today it is found in beauty products and used for cooking, adding a burst of flavor to everything to which it’s added, including ice cream — and we owe it all to the Persian Empire.

History distilled

Rose water, a clean and delicate floral distillate of roses, has its roots in antiquity. From as far back as the 6th century, rose water was traded throughout the Middle East, Asia, and Europe along the Silk Road. This network of trade routes, which originated in China and wended across 4,000 miles, connected goods, culture, and religious and political ideas from the Far East to the Roman Empire in the West. Historians credit Avicenna, a 10th-century Persian scientist and pilosopher, with elevating the rose water distillation process from a crude soaking-and-boiling method to one that involves steaming to capture the potent essence of roses — a process that is still used today.

a photo of rose water ice cream with rose water in a glass

Rosewater in cooking

We owe the use of rose water in Middle Eastern and European cooking to the Persian Empire. Before the Arab conquest of Persia in the 7th century, the Persians had been adding rose water to desserts. Ancient recipes for faloodeh (a frozen dessert with rice noodles, rose water, and lime juice) and saffron- and rosewater-scented halvah (a soft, sweet paste of flour, butter, and sugar) are still a part of modern-day Persian cuisine. The use of rose water in confections spread throughout Europe, the Middle East, and, later, America. Recipes for puddings, cakes, and custards from the late 18th and early 19th century call for the use of rose water.

However, rose water fell out of favor with home cooks in the early 20th century when advances in the cultivation and distillation of vanilla beans allowed for the mass production of vanilla extract. But today, thanks to the rising popularity of Middle Eastern and Persian cuisines, rose water, along with other Middle Eastern staples such as pomegranate molasses and orange blossom water, has once again become a pantry favorite. You’ll find rose water used in savory Persian dishes as a floral counterpoint to more pungent spices like citrusy saffron and earthy turmeric, but it is most widely known as an integral ingredient in Middle Eastern and Persian sweets — particularly rose water ice cream.

Persian rose water ice cream

In traditional Persian ice cream, called bastani, rosewater, saffron, and pistachio are added to a rich custard base with a chewy, deeply satisfying texture. The addition of salep, a cornstarch-like powder derived from the tubers of orchids, accounts for Persian rose water ice cream’s stretchy, satisfying mouthfeel.

Although salep is not as readily accessible in the United States, you can find rosewater virtually anywhere Middle Eastern groceries are sold, as well as in specialty stores and online. This summer, you can capture the intoxicating essence of Persian rose water ice cream at home in this version of the delicius, ultra-creamy dessert. Along with rose water, the addition of pistachi os offers this ice cream a slightly crunchy and salty counterpoint to the sweet cream and floral notes.

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Rose Water Ice Cream

Ingredients:

3 cups heavy cream
1 cup milk
½–¾ cup sugar
3 egg yolks
2-3 saffron threads, ground into a powder with a mortar and pestle (optional)
2-3 tablespoons rose water
½ cup salted pistachios, chopped

Instructions:

Combine the cream, milk, and sugar in a medium saucepan and place it over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until the sugar dissolves and the mixture is hot. (Do not boil.)
Remove from the heat. Whisk the egg yolks in a bowl and slowly stir in a cup of the hot cream mixture to temper it (this keeps the eggs from curdling). Stir the egg-cream mixture into the saucepan with the rest of the cream and return the pan to the heat.
Stir constantly over medium heat until the mixture thickens, about 10 minutes. (It will not be as thick as a pudding; it's more like a crème anglaise — a French custard sauce.) Remove from the heat (if using the saffron threads, dissolve them in the rose water before adding), and stir in the rose water and taste. Add a little at a time until it has the desired flavor.
Freezing modifies the flavor of ice cream — once it's frozen, it will not taste as sweet — so if you like a sweeter ice cream, use the greater amount of sugar; if you prefer the flavor of rose water, add a little more of that ingredient.
Strain the custard into a bowl to get a nice smooth consistency. Chill the custard (if you are in a hurry, place the bowl of custard over an ice bath and stir it until it's cold; if you have more time, just put the bowl in the refrigerator). Once the custard is cold, process it according to the instructions on your ice cream maker.
Garnish with sprinkles of pistachio before serving.

8 Ideas for What to Do with Flowers After an Event

From tulips to chrysanthemums, our series “Flower Care” explores everything from fresh flower care tips to flower symbolism and meaning. In this story, we provide eight ideas on what you can do with flowers after an event.

“Flowers… are a proud assertion that a ray of beauty outvalues all the utilities of the world.” — Ralph Waldo Emerson

what to do with flowers with flower arrangement from an event

You’ve planned a wedding, gala, or special party for months, worked with a florist to come up with color schemes and the perfect arrangements, you’ve chosen vases and other accouterments. Now the last sip of wine has been drunk, the band has packed up its gear, the guests have gone, and you’re left with Cinderella’s slipper and oh, just about 25 gorgeous arrangements with no home of their own.

The idea of tossing bouquets after their moment in the spotlight has a tragic undertone. We’re here to dispel the concept of what to do with your bouquets after the clock has struck midnight. Follow the below tips for ideas from our experts.

1. Say thank you with flowers after an event

Many times the people working your event will inquire about taking home some of the florals, says Jackie Lacey, a member of the Professional Floral Commentators International, and the 2019-21 National President of the American Institute of Floral Designers. “It is a great way to say thank you to those who helped make your special day go smoothly.” Make sure you have a contact to organize this since you’ll be ready to take off your dancing shoes yourself and note that the venue may charge extra if the flowers are left for them to remove, he adds.

2. Dry, wax, preserve your flowers

Flowers can be dried out, used in crafts, pressed, and given as gifts. Many flowers dry out beautifully, notably roses, hydrangea, and statice. Simply tie them at the end, hang them upside down, and let them dry for about two weeks as recommended by Julie Mulligan, 1-800-Flowers.com’s lifestyle and crafting expert.

Mulligan is also a fan of waxing flowers, which is a fun project and the preserved beauties look great in a keepsake box or centerpieces. “While waxing does not preserve the flower indefinitely, it does let you extend the enjoyment and pleasure that flower gives you,” she says.

Picture of Lovely Lavender Medley — Lovely Lavender Medley

Photo of Purple Elegance flower arrangement — Purple Elegance Centerpiece

Picture of Elegant Blush Bouquet — Elegant Blush Bouquet

3. Acknowledge the seniors

Call ahead to your local nursing homes or adult daycares to see if flowers would be a welcomed donation to their residents. Just a few hours old, these bouquets will bring some beauty indoors.

Have kids been invited to your festivities? Make a children’s craft table at your party complete with crayons, stickers, and card stock to send sweet notes to accompany your floral arrangement gifts for the older recipients. Your guests will be delighted to see the little ones’ creativity and sentiment. Plus it’s a good way to have kids start thinking of others (and it’s an activity to occupy them!)

4. Search for a nonprofit flower donation organization

A group called Random Acts of Flowers is in three United States cities, says Lacey. They will work with you to create repurposed bouquets for local healthcare facilities to increase emotional well-being and mental health by doing good and spreading kindness through flowers.

Bonus: All materials are recycled. “They do an incredible job at letting flowers live their fullest life and making the most people smile that they can,” says Lacey. If Random Acts of Flowers is not near you, search your region for other organizations who do this type of work as well, he suggests.

5. Thank an educator

Work with your local public school principal and see if you can drop a bouquet off for teachers. You can add a small note that says “Every day is teacher appreciation day. Thank you for your work!” Another idea is to repurpose flowers from events for training and art projects, says Lacey. “Reach out to an art teacher, art department, or an art school to see if they have this type of need in your area,” he adds.

6. Repurpose flowers at home

For a smaller event, you can take the arrangements apart and brighten your own house. Adorn your children’s rooms with mini bouquets. Place a stem in a bud vase in the bath. Create a short, tight arrangement (trim the stems) in a container to place on your bedside table. Make a centerpiece on your dining table to remind you of your special event. And don’t forget the floral food if you are putting flowers in new vases. These repurposed bouquets don’t just have to beautify your house – you can bring them to anyone: a neighbor, a friend needing a pick me up, the caterer who helped you the night before, or your loved ones.

7. Donate to an organization that facilitates long-term stays

what to do with flowers with mixed roses

Sometimes families have to stay in a special house (think the Ronald McDonald House) when a loved one, particularly a child, is having hospital care or surgery requiring many weeks or months of hospitalization.

There are also local organizations that provide safe, affordable housing for the mentally ill or recovering addicts to transition to living substance-free. Contact a facility in your area to see if flowers would be a welcome change of scenery.

Spread the word! Knowing that flowers will be enjoyed by others after an event — providing happiness and sustainability — contributes to a caring ethos.

8. Purposeful petals

Imagine the possibilities if you accumulate the petals from all of your floral arrangements. Natural confetti. Place in containers throughout the home and take in their beauty and scent. Use the petals to write a love message. Options abound!

But did you know petals have been used for millennia in beauty formulations? “Roses have healing, hydrating, and softening skin properties. Most importantly roses have the highest vibrational frequency of any botanical,” says Kristin Petrovich, founder of själ skincare, a luxury skincare brand that includes quality ingredients and gemstones in its products because of their high vibrational properties, which targets and boosts the weaker cells to promote healthy skin.

You can also use rose petals to treat acne and breakouts. Just dip in water and leave the petal on the irritated skin overnight, recommends Petrovich. Making rose water is another way to leverage your petals and it’s simple to do. First, make sure your roses are organic. Then, wash and dry the petals, lightly rub until their surface is slightly bruised, and place them in a shallow dish filled with unscented oil. (Jojoba works well and is available in most drug stores). Remove the petals and replace them with another batch of bruised petals to increase the intensity.

Show Your Valentine’s Day Flowers Some TLC

Whether you’re looking for romantic gift ideas or ways to make yourself feel loved, “Your Trusted Cupid” brings you top-notch advice from relationship experts. In this story, Julie Mulligan offers stylish ideas of how to use your Valentine’s Day flowers after the holiday.

Make your Valentine's Day Flowers last with a woman smiling at a large bouquet of flowers.

Who doesn’t anticipate feeling special and loved on Valentine’s Day? And of course, receiving Valentine’s Day flowers is the best way to know you are adored. Flowers represent love in many ways, with their natural beauty, fresh scent, and elevating the atmosphere. So, once you receive Valentine’s Day flowers, be a flower “caretaker,” not a “heartbreaker” by giving your flowers plenty of TLC.

Our 1-800-Flowers.com team is so passionate about extending the happiness quotient of flowers, we created these tips to help preserve your arrangements.

Make your Valentine’s Day flowers last

1. After a few days, we recommend changing the water and re-cutting the flowers to ensure longevity. Place the bouquet in a separate holder, while you add warm water and flower food to its original vase. Be sure to follow the mixing directions on the flower food packet.

2. With a sharp knife or clippers, re-cut the stems by cutting one to two inches off on an angle, but be careful not to crush the stems. We find it best to hold the stems underwater. Return the bouquet to its vase with fresh water.

3. Once your flowers are down to their last stem, get inspired and be creative — especially with roses. Don’t believe us? You’d be surprised how long you can make a rose last, even if it is fully open. Look around the house for DIY décor-worthy items (glass containers allow for endless creative possibilities).

We’ve included some beautiful ideas to display short, fully open roses below. The shorter the stem, the easier it will be for the water to reach the rose and will last longer than you would expect.

Make your Valentine's Day Flowers last with petal-covered votive candles.

Petal-covered votives

Create an attractive, natural candle by using extra rose petals. Simply place rose petals along the perimeter of a votive and secure with a pretty ribbon for a unique candle.

Make your Valentine's Day Flowers last in an apothecary jar with a rose at the bottom.

Rose apothecary jar

At the bottom of an apothecary jar or vase, pad with greenery or leaves. Cut the stem from your rose and place the flower on top.

Lasting roses guaranteed

If the thought of seeing your Valentine’s Day flowers shrivel and wilt is too much to bear, consider Magnificent Roses. These arrangements are packaged in a chic hatbox, come in an assortment of colors and styles, and require minimal care. The main difference? Their beauty will last, just like your romance.

Photo of lavender preserved roses — Magnificent Roses Preserved Lavender Roses

Picture of multi-colored Magnificent Roses — Magnificent Roses Preserved Romantic Medley Trio

Photo of red Magnificent Roses — Magnificent Roses Preserved Red Roses

6 Ways to Care for a Flower Bouquet

A flower bouquet fits any occasion, but nothing will dampen your enthusiasm faster than watching it wilt before its time. Taking proper care of a flower bouquet requires more than merely plopping blooms into a vase. Knowing what to do can add a week — or more — to their lifespan.

Here are six easy steps for receiving and arranging a flower bouquet to ensure it stays beautiful for as long as possible.

1. Clean and sterilize your vase

You are risking ruin by placing fresh flowers in an unclean vase, which likely contains bacteria from previous bouquets that can weaken the blooms. Wash the vase with soapy water beforehand and give it a rinse with diluted bleach when you’re done with it so it’s ready for its next use.

2. Trim the stems

Most cut flowers will start to “seal up” the base of their stem within hours of being harvested, thus preventing them from taking in water. To counteract this effect, you’ll need to recut each stem before placing it in a vase. A 2-centimeter diagonal cut works best, as this maximizes the stem’s surface area for taking in moisture. Use a sharp knife instead of scissors — and cut on a flat surface, such as a cutting board — so you don’t crush the stem.

flower bouquet with cutting flower stems

Consider also whether you want to cut the blooms down in height. A shorter stem means less distance for water to travel, which can make the flowers last longer.

3. Center the arrangement around the largest flowers

While we all have our preferences, the most aesthetically pleasing way to arrange a flower bouquet is to put the biggest blooms in the middle and surround them with the smaller flowers and those that haven’t bloomed yet. Once you like the arrangement, group the stems with a loose rubber band to keep them aligned in the vase.

4. Add water and flower food

Flowers are a lot like humans — they need to stay hydrated. Fresh, filtered water is crucial for long-lasting blooms. The amount depends on your flower type. Fill vases two-thirds full if they contain woody varieties, such as hydrangeas or roses; soft, green-stemmed flowers, such as lilies or tulips — the 2022 Flower of the Year — need it just half filled.

Cool water is preferred, as warm water will travel up the stems faster and accelerate the blooming process. You can also add a flower food packet, which typically comes with the bouquet. Most food packets consist of a sugar solution that nourishes the flowers and limits bacteria in the water to keep it fresh.

5. Place in a protected space

Fresh flowers last best in a cool, ventilated space that’s away from direct sunlight. Watch out for drafty windows and doorways, and keep the arrangement away from fruit, as the ethylene gas that fruits release while ripening will speed up the flowers’ decay. Hey, we love fruit, but it just doesn’t mix with flowers.

6. Monitor water and remove wilting flowers

Check the vase’s water daily and top it off as evaporation occurs. Change the water out completely whenever it goes cloudy, cleaning out the vase each time (see step No. 1). This also provides the perfect opportunity to remove any wilting flowers, rearrange the remaining blooms, and recut the stems for improved water absorption.

Follow these six steps, and you can significantly extend the lifespan of any flower bouquet. You’ll be amazed at how much more enjoyment you get from every bloom when you aren’t stressed about how long they will survive.

All About Chrysanthemums (Mums)

Long after most other flowers have called it quits, chrysanthemums persevere long into the fall — which is of little surprise, seeing as how these flowers have fought to survive for thousands of years.

Chrysanthemums were first discovered in 15th century BC growing in their native China, but back then, you wouldn’t find these plants adorning walls or sitting atop tables. Originally, they were used solely as a culinary herb. Over the years, they gained more and more popularity as a gift-giving flower rather than a medicine.

In the 18th century, chrysanthemums made their first voyage from China to Europe, with small towns and river communities instantly falling in love with them. They made their way to the United States in the late 1700s after Colonel John Stevens imported a rather rare variety called “Dark Purple” from Europe.

6 chrysanthemum fun facts

We have Carolus Linnaeus to thank for two things: creating the modern-day system of taxonomy and coining the name “chrysanthemum.” Who knew?
With over 40 known species of chrysanthemums, it’s not surprising that there’s a lot of diversity among these plants. Stems range between 2 and 6 inches, with blooms ranging from 0.4 to 10 inches in diameter.
Today, chrysanthemums can be found in multiple colors, including purple, red, and pink, but that may not have been the case years ago. The word “chrysanthemum” comes from the Greek words “chrysos,” meaning “gold,” and “anthos,” meaning “flower.”
Chrysanthemums are a lot more than just beautiful-looking flowers. They were once used to treat chest pain, high blood pressure, headaches, and dizziness.
Want to get the November baby in your life something truly special? Chrysanthemums are the November birth flower.
Ever wondered how chrysanthemum flowers get their full-figured look? It turns out the flower head is actually a cluster of multiple flowers.

Chrysanthemum meaning and symbolism around the world

In America, chrysanthemums have long symbolized fidelity, optimism, joy, and a prosperous life. In China, they are held in such high honor that they gained a spot as one of the “Four Gentlemen of China” — a group of prestigious plants that each signifies a new season. Because of when they bloom, chrysanthemums signify autumn. Across the Pacific Ocean, in Japan, they are so respected that the Emperor’s throne is referred to as the Chrysanthemum Throne.

Because they naturally bloom during the month of May and their name ends in “mum,” chrysanthemums are the most popular Mother’s Day flower in Australia. Because of this, they are also used to symbolize unbreakable love and fertility. But the flower doesn’t carry such a joyous meaning in Europe. Because of its prevalence in graveyards, chrysanthemums are associated with the passing of a loved one and are a common sympathy flower.

Chrysanthemum care

Our beloved chrysanthemums have gotten a bit of a bad rep over the years for being a difficult plant to care for — but we couldn’t disagree more! In reality, all they need is a bit of well-drained soil, regular waterings, and a sunny windowsill. One of the only things you need to be on the lookout for with chrysanthemums is dead petals. If you notice even a single decaying petal in their glorious blooms, you should pluck it immediately.

Even the most well-kempt chrysanthemum will inevitably begin to die at some point. But, luckily for you, they truly are the gift that keeps on giving. Once your plant can’t survive in its pot anymore, cut the stem down to about 6 inches and plant it in the sunniest part of your garden. If planted correctly, they will continue blooming for years.

How to Keep Flowers Alive Longer

The care and handling of fresh flowers depends on how they are to be displayed. The three most common ways to display are: simple cut flowers, cut flowers in a vase, and an arrangement of cut flowers in floral foam.

Here are tips on how to keep flowers alive longer, based on how you choose to display them.

How to care for fresh cut flowers

how to keep flowers alive with cutting flower stems

Let’s start with cut flowers just purchased. Keep them out of extreme temperatures when bringing them home. Hopefully, the flowers you bought were properly processed along the way from the farm to you. If you’re going to display your flowers in a vase, use a vase that has been cleaned with soap and water, then rinsed with bleach. Re-cut all the flowers to your preferred length, removing any foliage that would be below the water line. Cutting at an angle or under running water is a matter of preference; there’s no proof that these methods make any difference.

How to care for fresh cut flowers in a vase

how to keep flowers alive with flowers in vase against brick background

Bath temperature water works best for your vase. Warm water is lighter and easier for flowers to absorb, while cold water is slower for flowers to drink. Commercial cut floral food is best, especially when used as directed. Too little will do nothing, and too much can shorten the life of the flower. The three properties of preservatives are glucose (sugar), an anti-bacterial (bleach), and pH-lowering agent (lemon juice, lime juice, or vinegar).

This means that if you don’t have a floral-quality preservative, you can use (1) a capful of bleach, (2) lemon or lime non-diet soda, plus (3) a tablespoon of sugar. (I don’t believe aspirin or copper pennies do anything!) Keep the vase you need out of direct sun and, if possible, in a cool place.

Your cut flowers should be re-cut on their second or third day. Remove the flowers carefully so as not to change the design. A large rubber band or tie can keep them together until you re-cut the stems; remove any flowers that have passed their prime. Clean the vase and refill with warm water two-thirds full, plus more preservative. Remove the tie and replace the flowers in the vase.

How to keep flowers alive in floral foam

how to keep flowers alive with flowers in foam

A pre-designed arrangement in floral foam gives you little to do. You can’t re-cut the stems, but you must add water. It’s best to add water in the kitchen on a drain board, causing no furniture damage if it spills. If that’s not possible, add a few ice cubes to the back, directly on the foam. It’s hard to know if the foam has enough water, but you can always tip the container; if water drips out, it’s well saturated. If flowers growing in the garden are cut for in-home use, they should be cut early in the day as possible before they are stressed from the heat of the sun.

3 Simple Ways to Clean Your Glass Flower Vase

What’s the first thing you do after being handed a fresh bouquet of flowers? Many of you would answer, “Put them in a vase!” Glass vases in particular are such a beautiful way to display bouquets of flowers, but after a while, we know that glass vases can get rather dirty.

how to clean glass vases with vase of lilies sitting on table

If you have glass vases at home that could use some cleaning up, here are three simple techniques that you can try.

1. Use salt and vinegar

While you may think of salt and vinegar as something you keep in your kitchen cabinets for cooking, they can also double as a cleaning product. To create a solution that can clean your vase, take ½ tablespoon of salt and add white vinegar until the mixture becomes paste-like. Once you have the right consistency, rub the paste all over the vase, especially those areas that have built up residue from dirty water. After this is done, let the paste work its magic for about 10 minutes, and then wipe it off — the result should be a sparkling clean vase!

how to clean glass vases with woman cleaning glassware

2. Use Alka Seltzer

This method is one of the best for when you have vases that are too small or uniquely shaped to fit your hand and sponge into. Simply fill the vase with hot water (seriously, make sure it’s hot) and then add either one or two Alka Seltzer tablets — they’ll take care of the rest!

3. Use baking soda and vinegar

The vinegar is back! Instead of using salt and vinegar, you can also use baking soda and vinegar to get your glass vase looking clean again. First, fill your vase with warm water. Then, add 1 tablespoon of baking soda (unless the vase is large, in which case you’ll need more) and mix in some white vinegar. When these ingredients get together, they should start to fizz, and eventually they’ll begin to work on getting rid of any residue.

We weren’t kidding when we said these techniques were simple! Although it’s a good idea to wash your vases after every use, if that doesn’t do the trick and they start to look cloudy and dirty, the above methods should take care of everything!

How to Change the Color of Hydrangeas

Most people would agree that plants and flowers bloom in certain colors, because, well, they just do. And while this may be true for some plant and flower species, one in particular that you have some control over (and can even change) is hydrangeas. How so? It all has to do with your soil.

pH levels 101

In scientific terms, a soil’s pH level refers to the acidity or alkalinity of the soil; “pH” is the units in which this reaction is measured. PH levels are measured on a scale from 0 to 14; soils with a pH of 0 to 7 are considered more acidic, while a pH of 7 to 14 labels soil as being more alkaline.

Generally speaking, a pH of 6 to 6.5 is ideal for plants to access the nutrients they need. When pH levels are too high or too low, it makes it harder for plants to absorb the necessary nutrients from the soil. So, a soil’s chemistry plays a big role in plants’ survival.

pH levels and hydrangeas

For hydrangeas specifically, the difference in color from plant to plant has to do with how much or how little aluminum compound is found in the flowers. To take it a step further, blue hydrangeas get their color as a result of aluminum being abundant, whereas pink hydrangeas get their color from a lack of aluminum. Hydrangeas whose color is somewhere between indicates that some aluminum is present.

hydrangea color with purple blue hydrangea

Where does pH come in?

Ultimately, a soil’s pH level impacts a hydrangea’s color because it affects the amount of aluminum that is available in the soil. Aluminum is more abundant in acidic soils, so hydrangeas planted under these conditions are normally blue, and hydrangeas planted in soils that have a higher pH level tend to be pink.

Changing the color of hydrangeas

Interested in learning how you can change the color of your hydrangeas? Follow these four steps.

Step 1: Check that your hydrangeas can actually change color

hydrangea color with light blue hydrangea

Not all hydrangeas produce the same type of flower, and some varieties will only produce one color. For example, Annabelle hydrangeas will only bloom white or cream flowers. So, if you want to change the color of your hydrangeas, make sure you’re working with hydrangea macrophylla.

Step 2: Measure the pH level of your soil

You can measure the pH level of your soil using a simple soil test kit. Remember, soil with a pH level of 5.5 or lower will produce blue flowers, and soil that has a pH level of 6.5 or higher will give you pink flowers. With a pH level of between 5.5 and 6.5, you will typically see a variety of pink, blue, and even purple flowers.

Step 3: Make changes depending on your preference

If you’re happy with your pH level, great — just sit back and watch your hydrangeas bloom over time. However, if your soil has a lower pH level but you want to pink flowers instead of blue (or vice versa), there are a few ways you can go about manipulating the soil.

For example, if you want to raise the pH of your soil, start by adding some powdered Garden Lime to it; wood ash can also work too. If you want to lower the pH level of your soil and make it more acidic, add ammonium sulfate, aluminum sulfate, or a soil acidifier. Some other methods you can try to lower pH is adding oak leaves, coffee grounds, or sawdust to the soil.

Step 4: Monitor the soil

The process of changing your hydrangeas’ color won’t happen overnight, so you’ll need to continue to monitor your soil and treat it as necessary to produce the desired results.