DIY flower food: Keep your flowers fresher for longer!

DIY flower food: Keep your flowers fresher for longer!

Flower food sustains flowers, decreases the presence of microorganisms, and helps them absorb water and nutrients more effectively. Combined, these factors keep your flowers looking and smelling better, for longer. 

The three key components of flower food are citric acid, sugar, and an antibacterial agent.  

Flower food is so easy to make at home using household items.  My favourite DIY mix is made in the vase, before adding the flowers:

  • Choose a clean container for mixing.
  • Combine a minimum of 4 cups warm water, 2 tablespoons sugar, 1 tablespoon vinegar, and 1 tablespoon citric acid or lemon juice.
  • Mix well until all ingredients are dissolved.

Many DIY recipes use a few drops of bleach, which is up to your personal preference. Bleach will potentially leach a small amount of colour from the flowers. The lemon acts in the same way! Best practice is to make sure all items are mixed in, and the bleach is added last.

When your vase water becomes cloudy, change out your water and make a new batch of flower food. Every day or every two days is best!

Trim your stems, pick out dying vegetation, and remove any wet leaves or buds from your arrangement and water. Recut the flower stems, taking at least 1cm off the bottom. Foliage and leaves need to be trimmed to ABOVE the water level. 

Wash the vase with hot soapy water and a splash of vinegar to deodorise.  We hope this is helpful and increases your flower longevity in the vase!

The three key components of flower food are citric acid, sugar, and an antibacterial agent. 

Flower food is so easy to make at home using household items.  My favourite DIY mix is made in the vase, before adding the flowers:

  • Choose a clean container for mixing.
  • Combine a minimum of 4 cups warm water, 2 tablespoons sugar, 1 tablespoon vinegar, and 1 tablespoon citric acid or lemon juice.
  • Mix well until all ingredients are dissolved.

Many DIY recipes use a few drops of bleach, which is up to your personal preference. Bleach will potentially leach a small amount of colour from the flowers. The lemon acts in the same way! Best practice is to make sure all items are mixed in, and the bleach is added last.

When your vase water becomes cloudy, change out your water and make a new batch of flower food. Every day or every two days is best!

Trim your stems, pick out dying vegetation, and remove any wet leaves or buds from your arrangement and water. Recut the flower stems, taking at least 1cm off the bottom. Foliage and leaves need to be trimmed to ABOVE the water level. 

Wash the vase with hot, soapy water and a splash of vinegar to deodorise.  We hope this is helpful and increases your flower longevity in the vase!

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