How To Make Flower Food at Home
When you get a stunning bunch of flowers to arrange in a vase, you wish they’d last for ages. Now, while the natural beauty of flowers lies precisely in their transience and the fact that you can’t force them to bloom forever - we can do some things to make sure we can enjoy them in our vase for as long as possible. And that’s where flower food comes into play.
Why is flower food useful?
First of all, what is flower food? Basically, flower food is an umbrella term for mixtures designed to give your flowers a boost. The purpose of it is to provide your blooms with nutrients and to help keep bacteria in your vase at bay, therefore extending the vase life of your arrangement.
Our Freddie’s flower boxes always arrive with some sachets of our special flower food, formulated especially to give your flowers the best boost. BUT if you’ve run out or have got a different bunch, there is a homemade alternative you can use.
How to make flower food
Mind you, DIY flower food will not be as effective as specially formulated food you can buy, but it’s a quick and easy alternative if you’ve got nothing else to hand except for a cupboard to raid.
Homemade Flower Food Recipe:
- One litre of water
- One tablespoon of vinegar
- One teaspoon sugar
You can add all the ingredients into your vase and then just stir thoroughly before popping in your flowers.
How does it work?
Each of the ingredients brings something useful to the flowers in your vase:
- Water: to hydrate your flowers - as they will be sitting in your vase, they’ll simply drink it up
- Vinegar: helps keep bacterial growth at bay
Sugar: provides food for your flowers!
How to keep flowers fresh longer
There’s one VITAL step that makes all the difference for how to make flowers last longer in a vase - and that’s refreshing. Every 2-3 days, you want to take out your stems, clean your vase, and refresh it, following the same recipe from above. This truly is the key to extending the longevity of your arrangement.
As you’ve taken out the stems anyway, make sure to also re-cut those, simply trimming a little off the bottom. This way, you ensure that the stems can take up water and are not getting mushy or blocked when you’re putting them back in your vase.
FAQs About Homemade Flower Food:
Can I make flower food at home?
Yes, you can easily make homemade flower food using simple ingredients like water, sugar, and vinegar. While it may not be as effective as commercial flower food, it can still help extend the life of your flowers.
What is the best homemade flower food recipe?
A simple and effective homemade flower food recipe includes one litre of water, one tablespoon of vinegar, and one teaspoon of sugar. This combination helps nourish your flowers while reducing bacterial growth in the vase.
Does sugar really help flowers last longer?
Yes, sugar provides nutrients that help feed cut flowers and support their blooming process. However, it should always be combined with an antibacterial ingredient like vinegar to prevent bacteria from growing in the water.
How long does homemade flower food last?
Homemade flower food should be refreshed every 2–3 days. It’s important to clean the vase, replace the water, and re-cut the stems to keep your flowers fresh for as long as possible.
How can I make my flowers last longer in a vase?
To make your flowers last longer, use flower food, change the water regularly, keep the vase clean, and trim the stems every few days. Keeping flowers away from direct sunlight and heat can also help extend their vase life.
