Written by
Bente
The mercury is rising, the ice creams are melting, and your flowers are starting to look a bit droopy too. Understandable, because heat is just as tiring for flowers as it is for us. But with a few smart tricks, you can keep your bouquet looking surprisingly fresh, even when it feels tropical outside. Sunglasses on, here are the tips.
Tip 1: find a cool spot
Flowers and direct sunlight are not good friends. Burnt petals, limp stems, it happens fast if you place a bouquet in full sun. So choose a cool, shady spot indoors, away from windows that catch the sun all day. And if you have a balcony or garden? In the evening, being outside in the shade and out of the wind can sometimes even be nicer than indoors. One thing to watch: never place flowers right next to electrical appliances, they give off more heat than you think.
Tip 2: water, water, water
On hot days, you drink more than usual, and so do your flowers. Top up the vase daily with fresh, cold water, or change the water completely. Also remove any leaves that hang below the waterline. They encourage bacterial growth, and bacteria make the water cloudy and your flowers tired. Clean vase, clean water, happy flowers.
Tip 3: trim the stems regularly
This is a tip many people skip, but it really makes a difference. Re-cut the stems every few days at an angle, using a sharp, clean knife (not scissors, which squeeze the stems). This helps the flowers take up water more easily and keeps them from drooping. Re-cut the stems at an angle.
Tip 4: choose carefully
Some flowers handle the heat better than others. Keep the weather forecast in mind when picking a bouquet. Flowers like Delphiniums, Gladioli, Alstroemeria and Gerberas love warmth and stay beautiful even at high temperatures. Looking for more inspiration? Check out our article on typical summer flowers for more heat-resistant favourites.
Tip 5: remove the weakest link
Is there a stem that hasn’t made it? Take a deep breath, then act fast. Remove it as soon as possible, because wilted flowers release ethylene gas that makes the others age faster.
Tip 6: keep flowers away from fruit
Fruit and flowers together on the dining table: a lovely summer combination that looks cheerful, but beware! Ripening fruit emits ethylene gas, which makes flowers age faster. Even a couple of metres of distance makes a big difference.
Tip 7: give flowers a nightly boost
Is your bouquet really looking rough after a hot day? Wrap the stems in a damp newspaper or place the flowers overnight in a bucket of cold water in a cool spot: the bathroom, shed, or utility room works perfectly. Most flowers come out fresher than you expect. A good night’s sleep works wonders, even for flowers.
More summery greenery and flower happiness
Want to sit outside and enjoy the summer? Make your garden or balcony even cosier with a homemade mini pond, discover which summer bloomers keep going all season, and read how to keep flowers looking their best in the vase for as long as possible. After all, that makes everyone happy.
