These easy tips will make your grocery store flowers last longer and stay vibrant

There’s nothing quite like fresh flower arrangements around the home; they bring so much life and beauty to a space! When I go grocery shopping I love picking up flowers as well. If you aren’t familiar with the flower selection at Trader Joe’s then I 10/10 recommend stopping by and checking it out. They have so many gorgeous flower variations as well as lots of different greenery options that are super affordable. Most grocery stores have flowers available for purchase but I would definitely say some of my favorite grocery store to buy flowers at are Whole Foods (the selection is always fresh, unique and full of local and seasonal flowers), Trader Joe’s of course, Fresh Market and Publix. You can always buy pretty blooms from your local florist, but I typically opt for grocery store flowers because of the ease.

I know it can be tempting to unwrap your flowers as soon as you get home and simply throw them into a vase. I get it, it’s exciting to put those flowers on display for all to see and enjoy, but if you want them to last as long as possible then there are a few simple steps to follow beforehand. Keep reading for a few helpful tips for arranging your grocery store flowers like a pro. These tips will help your flowers stay fresher longer so you can enjoy those blooms as long as possible.

01. Always Trim Flowers at an angle

You’ve probably heard this tip before, but maybe you wonder why this matters? Cutting your flower stems at an angle ensures there is maximum surface area for water absorption and it also prevents the stems from sitting flat against the bottom of the vase/vessel. If a stem is cut flat then it is likely to lay flat against the bottom of the vase which blocks the water from being absorbed into the stem. Makes sense, right? I actually didn’t know the reason behind the cutting stems at an angle until I took the time to research. Before that, I kind of always just trimmed them at an angle because I was told to, but now it makes total sense!

Pro Tip: Place each stem into water immediately after trimming. Some stems will “scab” over when exposed to air making it hard for the stem to absorb water. Not all stems do this, but I like to do this anyway just in case since I am not knowledgeable on every single type of flower that does or doesn’t scab over when cut.

02. Remove all foliage that will be at or below water level

Have you ever noticed how yucky and foggy flower water can get after a few days? Foliage is the culprit for that. It is so important to keep all foliage out of water because water + foliage = bacteria. Most of the time you can easily remove foliage with your hands, but sometimes it does require the help of scissors or floral pruners. Be sure to remove all foliage that will be in contact with water so you can avoid bacteria growth and you can keep your flowers healthy!

03. Use a clean vase

If you have a go-to vase that you use every time you arrange flowers, then just make sure you clean it with soap and water between each use. If you only do a quick rinse with water, then it is likely that bacteria is still lingering in your vase from the decay of your last arrangement. This quick step can help prolong the life of your newest flower arrangement.

04. Your flowers need food

If you have ever purchased flowers from the store then you are probably familiar with that little packet of flower food that’s tied to the bouquet with a rubber band. Do not throw that packet away, it really does help! The sugary formula nourishes your flowers and keeps them happy and vibrant. If you accidently threw your flower food packet away just stir 1 Tablespoon of sugar into the water.

05. Refresh Vase Water

Confession, I don’t always do this step, but when I do refresh the water each day it makes a noticeable difference. Depending on the arrangement, you can hold the flowers, pour out the old water and then add fresh water. If you don’t want to risk messing up your arrangement , then you can simply add water to the current water in order to replenish. It is recommended to do this daily, but I know that is not always doable. If you can’t refresh the water each day, then just do it every other day or as often as possible.