Receiving a beautiful bouquet of flowers is one of the greatest gifts anyone can get, so, naturally, we want to do anything we can to make our fabulous blooms last as long as possible. Following flower care advice you heard while growing up, or information you found on the internet could do more harm than good to your fresh blooms. The flower experts here at Flowers by Coley are setting the record straight for you. To keep your flowers fresh for as long as possible, we’re debunking some of the more common flower care myths we’ve come across. Keep reading to discover what you should and shouldn’t do when it comes to caring for your precious blooms.

Common Flower Care Myths to Avoid

Myth #1Putting a Penny in the Bottom of the Vase Keeps Flowers from Wilting

You may have heard that copper is helpful for flowers as it is a natural fungicide that can help blooms thrive longer in a vase. While this is true, the hack that pennies should be placed in your flower vase is certainly a myth. Not only are modern pennies made of zinc instead of copper, but they are also full of germs and bacteria that could cause great harm to your stems. So, our suggestion is to always leave your spare change in your piggy banks! 

Myth #2Allergy Sufferers Can’t Enjoy Flowers

Allergies can certainly be stirred up from common blooms like lilies and sunflowers. These blooms contain loose pollen that either blows through the wind or sticks to animals in order to grow the flower population. However, blooms that are insect-pollinated, like carnations, hydrangea, roses, and peonies, are often “safe” for those who suffer from allergies.

Myth #3Sugar or Lemonade Can Be Used as Flower Flood for Your Cut Stems

Whether you heard this myth at a children’s science fair or from your great-grandmother, it is important to take a step back and think critically before adding aspirin, bleach, vodka, lemonade, or sugar to your vase of water. While some of these mixtures will simply have no effect on your flowers, they will indeed have a rapid effect on the growth of harmful germs and bacteria in your vase. As a result, your blooms will actually die quicker! 

Myth #4Removing a Rose’s Guard Petals Will Make it Die Quicker

This myth is most likely based on the assumption that pulling petals off of any flower will kill it. However, guard petals on a rose are unlike any other petal and we encourage their removal before placing the rose in an arrangement. Guard petals take the brunt of all physical damage in order to save the bloom that lies underneath. Therefore, guard petals are usually torn, discolored, etc. and by removing them you are uncovering a truly brilliant and gorgeous rose.

Myth #5Fresh-Cut Flowers Prefer a Sunny Location

While growing flowers in soil do need direct sunlight to bloom, the opposite is true for fresh-cut flowers in a vase. A wonderful floral arrangement is best placed in a temperature-controlled room that invites indirect sunlight. If you were to place your vase of flowers directly in the sun, they would open up to their fullest bloom fairly quickly, shortening their lifespan. 

Bonus MythBananas Kill Flowers

There are a few superstitions suggesting that bananas are bad luck; for instance, you should never bring bananas on a fishing trip. When it comes to flowers, bananas are still, unfortunately, the enemy. In fact, most fruits that go through the ripening process can kill your favorite fresh-cut blooms thanks to the ethylene gas that they emit as they ripen. 

Forget all the old wives’ tales and internet myths about caring for flowers. The task is really quite simple. To keep your fresh-cut flowers healthy and vibrant for as long as possible, follow these simple steps:

1. Remove any leaves and petals which fall below the waterline.
2. Cut the stems at a 45-degree angle with each change of water.
3. Change the water daily for the best results.
4. Only use the packet of flower food from the florist.
5. Keep flowers out of direct sunlight.

For more detailed information on how to care for flowers, visit our Flower Care Page.

Cut flowers that are cared for properly can last up to 10-12 days, so go ahead and brighten your home and your spirits with a beautiful arrangement of fresh blooms today.