Receiving a beautiful bouquet of flowers is one of the greatest gifts anyone can get, so, naturally, we want to do anything we can to make our fabulous blooms last as long as possible. Following flower care advice you heard while growing up, or information you found on the internet could do more harm than good to your fresh blooms. The flower experts here at Campbell’s Flowers are setting the record straight for you. To keep your flowers fresh for as long as possible, we’re debunking some of the more common flower care myths we’ve come across. Keep reading to discover what you should and shouldn’t do when it comes to caring for your precious blooms.

Common Flower Care Myths to Avoid

Myth #1Putting a Penny in the Bottom of the Vase Keeps Flowers from Wilting

It turns out that your lucky penny may not be so lucky for your fresh-cut flowers. Although your grandmother might have had success adding copper pennies to her floral vases, today your flowers are more likely to experience an increase in bacteria growth. Before 1982, pennies were made of copper which is a natural fungicide and did help to extend the life of flowers. However, these days, pennies have a small copper coating and are primarily made of zinc, which has no effect on your blooms, except for contaminating your water with germs. 

Myth #2Sugar or Lemonade Can Be Used as Flower Flood for Your Cut Stems

Instead of promoting the growth and beauty of fresh-cut flowers, sugar actually promotes the rapid growth of sticky gunk, bacteria, and germs inside a vase. Avoid floral-killing bacteria by only using water that is fresh, clear, and clean and by regularly changing the vase water. If you really must add something to your flowers’ water, be sure that you are using official flower food provided by your local florist.

Myth #3Lilies Will Die if You Remove the Anthers

It is not true that lilies will die if their anthers are removed. What is true about removing a lily’s anthers is that you will be removing the source of loose pollen, which is often viewed as a good thing. Pollen from lilies is not only messy but can spike an allergic reaction in humans and is toxic to pets. However, it is important to remember that lilies are still delicate flowers with soft petals, so be careful when removing their anthers. 

Myth #4Removing a Rose’s Guard Petals Will Make it Die Quicker

If you know anything about roses it is that delicately plucking off the guard petals will do no harm to the flower underneath nor will it shorten its vase life. Guard petals have the job of protecting the petals that lie underneath and shielding them from bruising, tearing, etc. It is actually an important step to remove unattractive guard petals before delivering or displaying a wonderful bouquet of roses.

Myth #5Fresh-Cut Flowers Prefer a Sunny Location

Instead of displaying fresh flowers in a vase on the windowsill, find a space on the counter or on a shelf in a cool room. Warm sunny spaces are actually harmful to fresh-cut flowers as it encourages the flowers to reach their fullest bloom and then quickly dry out and die. Save the sunny spots for flowers in pots or garden blooms.

Bonus MythBananas Kill Flowers

Actually, this myth is not a myth at all! It is true that bananas can kill your favorite fresh-cut blooms. Ripening fruit, including bananas, will produce ethylene gas, which is toxic to flowers and has the ability to kill them. When your fruit bowl and vase of flowers are on the same counter, it is important to be sure that there is enough space between them so both can thrive.

Forget all the old wives’ tales and internet myths about caring for flowers. The task is really quite simple. To keep your fresh-cut flowers healthy and vibrant for as long as possible, follow these simple steps:

1. Remove any leaves and petals which fall below the waterline.
2. Cut the stems at a 45-degree angle with each change of water.
3. Change the water daily for the best results.
4. Only use the packet of flower food from the florist.
5. Keep flowers out of direct sunlight.

For more detailed information on how to care for flowers, visit our Flower Care Page.

Cut flowers that are cared for properly can last up to 10-12 days, so go ahead and brighten your home and your spirits with a beautiful arrangement of fresh blooms today.