Easy Homemade Flower Food Recipe for Longer-Lasting Bouquets

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How to Make Flower Food—the Secret to Long-Lasting Bouquets

Hey there, Lazy Girl’s Garden Club! 🌸

Let’s talk about something we all adore—keeping those beautiful bouquets looking fresh for as long as possible.

You know that moment when you cut a bunch of your zinnias (or whatever’s in bloom) and arrange them in a vase? It’s pure joy! But then a few days later…sad, droopy flowers. Ugh.

Well, I’m about to let you in on a little secret—flower food.

Yep, just like us, flowers need a little nourishment to stay vibrant and happy. The best part? You can make it at home with stuff you probably already have in your kitchen.

No need to go all fancy here. Remember, we’re all about that lazy gardening life!

Why Do Flowers Need Food?

Before we dive into the recipe, let’s chat about why flowers even need food in the first place.

When you cut flowers, you’re basically separating them from their life source—the plant. Without nutrients, water, and a little TLC, they start to wither. Flower food helps keep them hydrated and fed so they can last longer and stay beautiful.

The DIY Flower Food Recipe

Okay, here’s what you’ll need:

• 1 quart of warm water (warm water helps flowers absorb nutrients faster)
• 2 tablespoons of lemon juice (this helps maintain the pH balance of the water, which is crucial for hydration)
• 1 tablespoon of sugar (flowers need sugar for energy, just like we do)
• 1/2 teaspoon of bleach (I know, it sounds weird, but this prevents bacteria from growing in the water)

Mix it all together, and voilà—flower food ready to go!

How to Use It

1. Trim the Stems: When you cut your flowers, give the stems a fresh trim at an angle. This opens up the vessels in the stems and helps them drink up all that good stuff.
2. Fill Your Vase: Pour your homemade flower food into a clean vase. Dirty vases = bacteria, which we don’t want. (scroll down for how much to add!)
3. Arrange Your Flowers: Place your flowers in the vase, making sure the stems are submerged. That’s it! I have an entire post all about arranging flowers HERE!

How Much to Add

For each vase, you should use about 1/4 cup of your DIY flower food mixture per quart (4 cups) of water.

Here’s a simple way to think about it:

• If your vase holds 1 quart (4 cups) of water, add 1/4 cup of the flower food.
• If your vase is larger and holds 2 quarts (8 cups) of water, use 1/2 cup of the flower food.
• For a smaller vase, say 2 cups of water, use just 2 tablespoons of flower food.

This ratio ensures your flowers get the right amount of nutrients without overdoing it. Adjust the amount based on the size of your vase, and your flowers should stay happy and fresh!

Pro Tip: Change the Water

Even with flower food, it’s a good idea to change the water every couple of days. Just dump out the old water, give your vase a quick rinse, mix up a fresh batch of flower food, and your flowers will keep smiling.

Bonus Lazy Girl Flower Food Hack

If you’re really in a pinch (or just feelin’ extra lazy), you can also use a splash of clear soda, like 7-Up, instead of the sugar and lemon juice. It works in a pinch, and hey, it’s fun to experiment!

So, there you have it! The secret to long-lasting bouquets isn’t so secret anymore. With this simple flower food recipe, you can keep your cut flowers fresh and lovely for days—maybe even weeks—longer.

And the best part?

It’s as easy as can be. Now, go snip some blooms, whip up a batch of flower food, and enjoy the beauty you’ve created. 🌺

Happy (lazy) gardening!

Lazy Girl’s Garden Club: Because gardening should be fun, not a chore. WANT TO GROW YOUR OWN CUT FLOWERS? Check out my resources over on my Lazy Girl’s Garden Club resources page.

I’d love to have you hang out with me some more! Feel free to follow along with me on any of the platforms linked below.

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xoxo,

Kelly