The secret to long lasting hydrangeas? A common spice. 3 ways to keep them blooming

These are the three best hacks for long lasting hydrangeas.

Our Valentine’s bouquets are past their prime and our gardens haven’t started to bloom, but we still want those fresh flowers in our space. Try hydrangeas! The lush, full petals add a fresh feeling on a drab day.

Florist and event planner Tesla Welch shared tested techniques to extend the life of your arrangements.

Caring for Cut Hydrangeas

1. Tesla recommended making your own plant food. Add 2 TBS of Sprite and 2 drops of bleach to your clean vase. The sugars and citric acid in the Sprite extend the life of the flower and the bleach kills any bacteria.
2. Also, it’s important to keep your cut flowers out of direct sunlight to prolong their blooms.
3. By cutting the ends on an angle and dipping them in Alum, a spice found at any grocery store, the flowers will last much longer. Alum acts as a preservative and enhances the stems’ ability to absorb water, which is crucial for preventing wilting. This powder is used for pickling foods, and it prevents the sap from the hydrangea from blocking the stem as it kind of “pickles” the end of the stem leaving it open longer.

All of these tips will help you enjoy your cut flowers longer!

Find more blooms from Tesla on Instagram, @bloomsbytesla.