With spring in full bloom, many people are filling their homes with beautiful flowers, but not all flower care tips and tricks shared on social media are accurate. Justin Leviano, the product and floral design manager with Urban Stems in Manhattan, debunked some of the myths, such as putting a penny in water for tulips to stand up straight or using aspirin in flower water to keep blooms fresh longer. Other trending hacks include using lemon-lime soda and bleach as flower food substitutes, cutting flower stems underwater, and smashing woody stems with a heavy object. Leviano emphasized the importance of fresh water, cutting stems at an angle, and using flower food to lengthen the life of fresh flowers.
One viral flower care hack involves cutting flower stems underwater to hydrate them faster after cutting. Leviano explained that cutting a flower and stem and placing it in water within a minute or two will still allow it to hydrate properly. Another tip he suggested was soaking the top of hydrangeas in room-temperature water to act as a water bath for the flowers, allowing the petals to hydrate effectively. Leviano advised against the trend of smashing woody stems and recommended cutting stems at an angle and in half to open up the stem for better water absorption.
The penny-in-the-water hack for tulips is another debunked myth, as the penny does not play a role in helping the tulips stand up straight. Leviano explained that tulips naturally straighten up and move towards light after being hydrated for about 12 hours. Using aspirin in flower water to sterilize it is also a placebo effect with no proven results and can introduce contaminants into the water that may harm the flowers. Leviano highlighted the importance of using fresh, clean water, cutting stems at an angle to maximize surface area for hydration, and using flower food to minimize bacterial growth and provide nutrition for the flowers.
To maximize the life of fresh flowers, Leviano recommended giving them fresh, clean water, cutting the stems at an angle, and using flower food regularly to minimize bacterial growth and provide nutrition for the flowers. Save a portion of the flower food to use each time you change the water in the vase. Leviano emphasized the value of having fresh flowers in the home, as they enrich our lives by providing beauty and nourishment. He suggested taking a moment to appreciate the flowers and be reminded to “stop and smell the roses.” Having fresh flowers in the home can bring joy and a sense of value to our lives.
