This Simple Trick Could Make Fresh Flowers Last Forever | HuffPost Life

Try it out! 🌷

By

Lifestyle Editor, HuffPost

When it comes to caring for fresh flowers at home, we thought we knew absolutely everything... until now.

Apparently, some experts believe that adding a few drops of vodka to the vase keeps flowers from wilting by blocking their natural ripening gas, as the above video from Pennygem explains. The effectiveness of this tip is hotly debated, but hey, it's worth a try.

Watch all the way through the video for more stem-ulating flower care tips.

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Before You Go

How To Keep Flowers Fresh

Change Your Water Daily(01 of04)

You should change the water in your vase every day (or at the very least, every other day) because of bacteria that grows in the water. Bacteria is a main reason flowers wilt, so keep that water fresh and your flowers will thank you by staying fresh themselves. (credit:Jan Hakan Dahlstrom via Getty Images)

The Penny Trick Is A Myth(02 of04)

It's a nice thought, but unfortunately, throwing a few pennies in your water doesn't really help your flowers that much (while copper is a fungicide, pennies aren't soluble).

Instead, florists recommend you use flower food (formulated additives you mix in the water) which has been verified by a Real Simple test as the best way to preserve your blooms. (credit:John Kuczala via Getty Images)

Use Hot And Cold Water(03 of04)

In addition to changing your water every day, you should start a new bouquet by using hot water, which The Bouqs Co. says will help the flowers bloom faster by absorbing the water through their stems more rapidly. To keep them open longer, throw in an ice cube or two to cool the water. Cool water will help them stay open.

You can also mix in a bit of sugary clear soda (Sprite or 7-Up) which provides some nutrients for the flowers, but also a breeding ground for bacteria, which as we said before, means wilting. To combat that, add just a few drops of bleach. (credit:Timothy Hearsum via Getty Images)

Cut The Stems Daily(04 of04)

Every day, after you toss the water, cut off about a fourth of an inch of your flowers' stems. It cuts off any bacteria at the open end of the stem and clears the way for your fresh water. (credit:Jamie Grill via Getty Images)

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