Revive Dying Flowers With This Simple Trick

Stems are often cut straight across, which results in a limited amount of surface area for them to absorb water. Furthermore, those flat cuts may cause the base of the flower to rest squarely against the bottom of the vase, which obstructs water from flowing up the stem. It’s also worth noting that dead tissue begins to form the moment you cut a stem. Over time, that tissue builds up to a point where it prevents water from getting in, which is why it’s useful to regularly recut the stems in a bouquet — at an angle or otherwise.

Florists recommend recutting your flowers before you put them in a vase for the first time, and then every two to three days after that. A good rule of thumb is to recut the stems when you swap out the water. Using a sharp knife or scissors, cut each stem about an inch above the current base at around a 45-degree angle. This accomplishes two things: Not only does the angled cut create a larger amount of exposed surface area for the flower to absorb water, but it also prevents the bottom of the stem from resting flat against the bottom of the vase.

If you haven’t already, remove any leaves along the stem that fall below the waterline. This will prevent the leaves from looking soggy and discolored, and it will also reduce bacteria growth that could limit the flower’s ability to take up water.

While these tips won’t make your flowers immortal, they’ll definitely add a few days or even weeks to the life of that lovely bouquet. Within a few hours after recutting the stems, you should notice those wilting flowers start to perk up again.