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
The three key components of flower food are citric acid, sugar, and an antibacterial agent. The citric acid acidifies the water, which helps water travel up the stem more quickly. The sugar provides nutrients that the flowers would normally get from the plant while still attached. And the antibacterial agent stops bacteria from multiplying and clogging the stems, which is the most common cause of flowers wilting prematurely.
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.
Ongoing Care
When your vase water becomes cloudy, change out your water and make a new batch of flower food. 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 — any leaves below the waterline will rot and create bacteria that shortens the life of your flowers.
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!
Pro Tips for Maximum Vase Life
Keep your flowers away from direct sunlight, ripening fruit, and heat sources like radiators or appliances. Ripening fruit releases ethylene gas, which causes flowers to age and wilt faster. Changing the water regularly and keeping the arrangement cool will give you the longest possible vase life from your locally grown blooms.
Want to put these tips to the test?
Order a Bold Betty Bouquet or explore our fresh flower collection — all locally grown and delivered across Sydney. See our delivery information for details, or learn about our flower subscriptions for regular seasonal blooms.