Information About How Salt Prolongs the Life of Cut Flowers

Salt can extend the life of your cut flowers.

Salt, or sodium chloride, is a common addition to many foods and is routinely found on tables and stoves. Added to food to enhance the flavor, salt can also be added to cut flowers to prolong their life.

Water

Adding a small amount of salt to the vase encourages the cut flowers to take in more water due to a change in salinity, which affects the osmotic pressure of the surrounding environment. The presence of salt in the water draws fluid from the cells of the plant. This encourages the plant to take in more water through the stem, hydrating the plant tissues and prolonging the life of the flowers.

Bacteria

Adding salt to the water supply will discourage the growth and development of potentially harmful bacteria, fungi and other microorganisms because the presence of salt creates an environment where the pressure of the water is greater outside of the microbe's cell walls. This causes the water from within the cells to move outside of the cell in an attempt to equalize the pressure, leading to dehydration of the microbe and a failure to thrive.

Nutrients

In addition to table salt, Epsom salts can also be added to the water of cut flowers. Epsom salts provide cut flowers with a ready source of magnesium and sulfur, which are essential for plant health as they aid in the stabilization of the cell walls, allowing the flowers to retain their shape longer. The combination of 1 tbsp. Epsom salt, 1 tbsp. chlorine bleach and 1 cup of lemon lime soda is a popular home mixture that effectively replaces the envelope of nutrients provided by the florist.

References

• Ramsey Ad Agency: Your "How to" Guide for Cut Flowers
• Flower Possibilities: Expert Tips on Cut Flowers
• Salt Institute: Miracle Uses of Salt