Beautiful flowers stay fresh ‘over Christmas’ with 1 simple addition to the water

Vibrant Poinsettia decorating at home

Poinsettias could last throughout the Christmas time (Image: Getty)

The florist at , Igor Podyablonskiy, said a teaspoon of a common kitchen ingredient is all it takes to make stay fresh.

Popular Christmassy include the likes of poinsettias, roses and amaryllis, which look beautiful in the home. “Adding a spoonful of sugar into a vase of water can prolong the life of your ,” Igor revealed.

“This is because it acts as a food source, giving your cut the nutrients they need.” Igor added: “It also promotes the uptake of water, meaning your arrangement stays hydrated which is essential for the colour and structure of your “

Only one teaspoon of sugar is needed per litre of water in a vase, but the water must be changed “every other day” to keep the water clear from bacteria.

Igor instructed: “Every time you change the water, add another teaspoon of sugar to continue feeding your .”

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Close-up of roses in vase on table by wall at home

Roses are a beautiful addition to the home (Image: Getty)

Other household kitchen ingredients can help prolong the life of cut flowers, such as apple cider vinegar.

Igor elaborated: “Another hack is adding apple cider vinegar to the sugar to nourish your flowers and also combat any bacterial growth.

“This is especially important for flowers like lilies and roses which can be prone to bacteria. Again, add a teaspoon of vinegar into the sugary water mix.”

One surprising water addition that can keep cut flowers lasting for longer is aspirin.

flower head of amaryllis

Amaryllis (Image: Getty)

Igor said: “Crushed aspirin also works by making the water slightly acidic which means your flowers will better absorb water and therefore get more nutrients they need. Just add half a tablet to your vase water.”

Top tips to make cut flowers last longer

  • Change the water every other day
  • Add a teaspoon of sugar to fresh water
  • Add in a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar and sugar
  • Add in crushed aspirin, if not adding in sugar or apple cider vinegar
  • Keep your flowers in a cool spot away from sunlight, heaters or draughty windows

Igor concluded: “A cooler environment slows wilting, meaning they’ll last for longer, and when combined with the above sugar hack should mean your flowers continue to bloom over Christmas.”

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