Flowers are great decorations as provide more life and color to your house. However, flowers can easily lose their vibrancy and bloom if not taken care of properly. In order to get more life out of a bouquet, follow these flower-care guidelines.

1. Water is one factor that can prolong the life of cut flowers. When putting flowers inside the vase, use lukewarm water instead of cold water. Lukewarm water has lesser oxygen that can limit the number of air bubbles that block or stop the water uptake in the stems. Also, lukewarm water allows the flower buds to open. However, bulb flowers such as daffodils, tulips, and hyacinths, prefer cold water.

2. In cutting flower stems, use a sharp knife or scissors to allow a larger area for water absorption. Refrain from using dull blades as it can just break the stem that can make your flower’s bloom fade away immediately. You can also recut the stems after a few days to remove airlocks.

3. Place the flowers away from heat sources like plugged in appliances and direct sunlight to avoid dehydration. Also, keep your flowers away from fruits and other plants because they emit ethylene gas that can cause your flower to wilt faster.

4. Change the water daily to eliminate the mold, dirt, and debris accumulating in your flower vase. In doing this, clean the vase with soap and water to remove the bacteria as it can cause your flower to rot easily.

5. Spray a plant freshener on the stems or leaves of the flower. The fresheners can slow down the buildup of bacteria and add more vase life to your flowers. You can make your own freshener by adding a little amount of bleach to a bottle of water and use it as a spray.

The next time you receive or buy flowers, you can follow these simple care techniques to prolong the vase life of your flowers. You will not only have a lovely decoration inside the house but you’ll also bring more harmony to your home.