Sunflowers are one of summer’s most cheerful blooms, bringing brightness to kitchens, living rooms, and patios across the country. But as many flower lovers know, their sunny disposition can fade fast without the right care. Now, plant experts have shared a simple yet surprisingly effective trick to help sunflowers stay fresh and vibrant for longer, and it involves dropping a penny into the vase.
Jo Lambell, founder of plant and flower specialists Beards & Daisies, revealed that adding a copper penny to the vase water can significantly extend the life of sunflower bouquets. The copper acts as a natural fungicide, helping to prevent bacterial growth in the water, which is one of the leading causes of premature wilting. It’s a little-known hack that’s easy to try and often works better than many commercial treatments.
The advice doesn’t stop there. Lambell says a clean vase and fresh, room-temperature water are essential before adding any flowers.
Bacteria left behind from old bouquets can compromise new ones almost immediately. Changing the water every two days also helps keep conditions fresh and free from contamination.
Cutting the stems at a 45-degree angle is another essential step. This increases the surface area for water absorption, helping the sunflowers stay hydrated.
Re-trimming the stems every couple of days can make a noticeable difference to their appearance and longevity.
Many bouquets come with a sachet of flower food, which helps nourish the flowers and keep the water clean. But if that’s not available, a homemade version using a little sugar, lemon juice, or apple cider vinegar can help provide similar benefits.
It’s also important to be careful where you place your sunflowers. Keeping them near a bowl of fruit might look good, but it’s a fast track to drooping petals. Ripening fruit gives off ethylene gas, which speeds up the ageing process in flowers.
Heat sources like radiators or direct sunlight can have a similar effect, so cooler spots are best.
For those who want to go the extra mile, adding a few drops of alcohol, such as vodka or gin, to the water can slow down the effects of ethylene gas. It’s a trick often used by florists to prolong freshness in delicate stems.
Another commonly overlooked tip is to remove any leaves that sit below the waterline.
These submerged leaves tend to rot quickly and can turn the vase water murky in a matter of hours, speeding up decay.
While sunflowers naturally have a shorter vase life than some other blooms, these simple methods can help you enjoy their beauty for as long as possible.