How to keep your Valentine’s Day flowers ‘fresher for longer’ using sugar and coin trick


Fresh flowers typically last up to a week, depending on how they are cared for and the location they are placed in.

Jade Robertson of top flower delivery service, Prestige Flowers, said: “To make flowers last their full lifespan, they need good care, but it doesn’t take a lot of time.

“By following some basic tips, it’s easy to keep your foliage looking great. Cut flowers generally like to be kept at room temperature, which is between 18C and 22C.

“They don’t like heating elements, which is important to remember at this time of year when people have their radiators and portable heaters on, or fireplaces.”

Fresh flowers should also be kept away from sunny areas as well as any appliance which gives off heat such as a microwave or toaster.

The expert said these are the “worst places” where you could keep your bouquets, as they are likely to dry out and die a lot faster.

Jade added: “By keeping flowers at a stable temperature, not too hot or too cold, they will grow and blossom at their natural rate, thus extending their lifespan.”

Preparing the flowers by cutting their stems helps to give them the best chance at living for longer.

The expert recommended cutting each stem at an angle, around an inch above the base. This helps to cut off any diseased stems as well as increase the amount of water absorbed by the flowers.

It is also recommended to add the flower food provided in the flower wrapper to help keep them “fresher for longer”, making sure to follow the instructions on the packet.

Jade continued: “If your water does start to look cloudy, change the water and add more flower food, otherwise it’s unlikely your flowers will be getting the nutrients they need to keep them looking their best for as long as possible.

“Ripening fruits, and especially bananas, release small amounts of ethylene gas which can speed up the maturation process, and therefore making your flowers wilt much earlier.

“It’s much better to move them away from the fruit bowl and enjoy the blooms for that bit longer.”

Copper coins can also be added to the water as well as sugar to help the flowers thrive.

Three teaspoons of caster or granulated sugar can be dissolved into one litre of warm water before the flowers are placed into it.

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