When flowers are cut from the stem, they start dehydrating and can no longer complete their respiratory process. Therefore, whether in the ground or not, flowers need water to live longer and stay fresh. But what water temperature is best for cut flowers?
Generally, tap water, which is 50-60° F, seems to work best for most freshly cut flowers. However, the water temperature you use depends on the state or condition of the cut flowers. According to experts, warm water, about 110° F is best for resuscitating wilted flowers. Hot water, 180-200° F, is best if the flowers are badly wilted. Afterward, you must put the flowers in a refrigerator or a cool area around your home to keep the blooms fresh.
The debate on the best water temperature for flowers has been ongoing, and experts have concluded that it depends on the type of flower and its current condition. Flowers to be sold in shops and someone cutting flowers from their garden to decorate the dinner table will have different processes.
This is because one needs to be stored longer than the other, and that is where the major difference in water temperature comes in. Either way, if you want your cut flowers to last longer, you will need to use a combination of both cold and warm water.
In this article, we will discuss the benefits and drawbacks of both warm and cold water, when to use cold or warm water, and other important elements that you will need to extend the life of your blooms.
Warm Water
It is a common practice among florists to put cut flowers in warm water, about 100-110° F. Note that before flowers arrive at your local shop, they have been transported under certain storage conditions. Therefore, some flowers might be dehydrated when they get to the store.
According to experienced florists, warm water helps dehydrated stems to soak up as much water as possible within a short period. As the stem drinks up the water, the bloom on top takes in some cool air keeping it fresh.
When the flowers rejuvenate, some florists will put them in a refrigerator for a few hours to maintain their perkiness. Afterward, the flowers are ready to be arranged in a bouquet and sold. Besides resuscitating wilted flowers, some fresh blooms are known to hydrate better in warm water. These include; hydrangeas, viburnum, roses, etc.
Cool Water
When flowers are cut and stored for a long time, they develop air pockets. These air pockets prevent flowers from absorbing water easily. According to experts, cold water helps shock the stems dispersing the air pockets and allowing the plant to take in water. Some florists use ice water to achieve the same results.
Cold water, in this case, is water between 35-50° F. It is almost the same as room temperature water, which is why most flowers will stay alive in room temperature water. Flowers that perform best in cool or cold water are bulb flowers like crocus, daffodils, hyacinth, tulips, iris, etc.
They perform best in cold water because most bulb flowers bloom during cooler seasons when the air and ground have low temperatures. Therefore, if you are growing bulb flowers in your home garden, it is best to store them in a vase with cold water for the best results.
Hot or Boiling Water
Using hot water is not recommended unless a flower is severely dehydrated. Hot water works best for flowers with woody stems like hydrangeas and lilacs. Boiling water will destroy the tissue of flowers with soft stems reducing their lifespan.
According to florists, hot water helps unclog the stems and fight bacteria in the flowers. While this is true, florists agree that hot water will significantly reduce your flower’s longevity. This is because hot water damages the stem tissue, which affects water flow through the lumen, causing the flower to wilt faster.
Most florists use hot or boiling water as a last resort because it does more damage than good. Instead, you can buy or make a bacterial-fighting floral solution at home to kill bacteria. Experts recommend using a mix of sprite and bleach for a home solution.
Water temperature is important for cut flowers because it can increase or decrease their lifespan. But what about storage temperatures? When you go to a flower shop to buy flowers, it is uncommon to find them in a vase with warm or cold water.
Instead, you find them neatly arranged in a colorful bouquet, still looking and smelling fresh. This is because they are stored at the right temperature.
Let us look at the right storage temperatures for fresh-cut flowers.
Best Storage Temperatures for Flowers
Although putting flowers in water helps, they will eventually discolor, start to lose shape, and wilt. That is why florists refrigerate their flowers to keep them fresh. The best storage for flowers is between 34-38° F. However, most florists maintain their temperatures at 38° F.
The idea behind maintaining these storage temperatures is to control the climate, so the flowers do not lose their blooms. These temperatures also help to support a special hydration solution for the flowers that helps keep them in shape, extending their shelf-life.
Suppose the flowers are not in the hydrating solution while in the cooler, the right storage temperature is 34° F. Therefore, depending on whether the flowers are using the hydrating solution. In that case, the storage temperature in the floral cooler should not be higher than 38°F or lower than 34°F.
These temperatures should be maintained even when the flowers are in display units. This way, your flowers will not droop or lose their blooms in the process.
Can Flowers Survive in Room Temperature?
From temperature-controlled vehicles to temperature-controlled coolers, only to end up in a vase on your dining or coffee table at room temperature. Will your flowers survive in these conditions? We have already established that room temperature water works best for most flowers. However, a room temperature environment can be too hot for flowers, and this can cause flowers to age prematurely and rot.
Fortunately, you can prevent this by following the steps below;
1. Avoid Putting Your Flowers in Direct Sunlight
I know what you’re thinking. Flowers grow under direct sunlight. This is true, but when you cut them, you disconnect flowers from a constant supply of food and water from the roots. This means you have to take extra care of your cut flowers if you want them to last longer in your home.
Storing your cut flowers in direct sunlight will make them dehydrate faster. Instead, place your flowers in a cool area in your home with sufficient airflow to keep them bright and fresh.
2. Do not Put Your Flowers Close to Appliances that Generate Heat
Heating or cooling vents, open windows, and ceiling fans can deteriorate your plants’ health through dehydration. These appliances generate high heat levels, making your flowers lose water faster, leading to wilting.
3. Avoid Storing Your Flowers Next to Fruits and Other Plants in the Home
Plants have a respiratory process, and during this process, they produce ethylene gas. Similarly, when fruits mature or continue to ripen, they produce the same gas, which is dangerous to flowers. Flowers like roses, carnations, and delphiniums are very sensitive to ethylene gas, causing them to rot and wear off petals from exposure to low gas levels.
The easiest way to avoid exposure to ethylene gas in your home is to not put your vase of flowers next to fruits or other potted plants and flowers. Another way is to ensure you put your flowers in chilly or cooler rooms in the house. Additionally, you can dip your flowers in floral solution to extend their vase life or treat them with an ethylene-based inhibitor.
4. Always Cut the Stems
What is the first thing you do when you receive a bouquet of flowers? If you answered put them in water, you’re mistaken. Instead, the first thing you should do is cut the stems. Remember, most flowers absorb water through the stem, so it has to be in the right condition to do so.
By the time you get the flowers, the bottom of the stem is flat and maybe dry. You will want to cut this off to have a fresh end ready to take in water. Experts advise that you cut the stems at an angle and re-trim regularly to improve water intake.
As you re-trim the stem every few days, remember to remove the lower leaves and change the water in the vase to reduce bacterial growth.
5. Be Mindful of the Water Temperature
Are you cutting the flowers from your garden? If so, know your blooms and put them in the right water temperature before displaying them in your home. Some flowers, like dahlias and roses, prefer warm water, while others, like tulips and hyacinths, do well in cold water.
On the other hand, if you have received a bouquet of flowers and they seem dehydrated. You can use warm water to unblock the air passage in the stems and later place them in a cool area.
Recap: Best Water Temperature for Flowers
When it’s hot outside, there’s nothing more satisfying than a refreshing, cold drink. We usually opt for something cold rather than a warm drink and many people enjoy heaps of ice. However, when it comes to fresh cut flowers, ice cold water might not be the best bet.
Most flowers enjoy water that is slightly warm or room temperature. When you trim the stems of your flowers and place them in luke warm water, they will drink up nice and quickly. As soon as your flower delivery arrives, it’s important to trim the stems and place them in warm water right away. This will help your bouquet last that much longer. Allowing them to soak and rest in a cool spot for 24 hours are just what your flowers need to look their best.
There are, however, some exceptions to this warm water rule. There are some flowers that actually do prefer cold water and these are flowers that are grown from bulbs. One popular example includes tulips. Flowers that are grown from bulbs also tend to be particularly thirsty so you want to make sure that they never run out of water.
If you are ever unsure about the type of water to use, a simple search for flowers online will make it easy to find care instructions for specific types of flowers. Alternatively, you could always ask your florist for professional advice.
No matter the type of water your flowers prefer, there are some other steps that will help ensure maximum freshness. Flower stems should be trimmed at an angle so that they don’t rest flat on the bottom of the vase. It also increases the surface area of the base of the stem which helps increase absorption. Remember to add flower food to the water and change the water every couple of days. Whenever the water is changed, it’s important to add more flower food in order to provide your flowers with nutrients and slow down the growth of bacteria in the water.
