How to Preserve Cut Flowers with Aspirin

Nothing brings life to a home like the scent of freshly cut flowers. Unfortunately many flowers wither and die within days when displayed in the home. Use plain aspirin and a penny to extend the life of fresh cut flowers in your home.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Aspirin
• Copper penny (minted before 1982)
• Knife

1. Dissolve an aspirin in 1/4 cup warm water. Once the aspirin is fully dissolved, stir to mix. Add the aspirin and water to a vase that has been filled with plain water. The aspirin creates a more acidic environment which helps water move up the stem easily.

2. Drop a penny into the vase. The copper in the penny acts as a fungicide to prevent fungus growth on plant stems. Remember, pennies minted after 1982 are mostly zinc with a thin copper coating, so look for one dated prior to 1982.

3. Cut the flower stems on a diagonal using a clean sharp knife. This exposes more surface to the water and aids in water absorption.

4. Remove any leaves that will fall below the surface of the water.

5. Remove flowers from the vase as they begin to wilt or fade, and change the water. Re-cut the stems to provide a clean cut. Add aspirin and the penny to the new water.

Tips & Warnings

• Cutting stems while underwater will prevent them from getting air bubble blocks that will cause them to wilt or die.
• Although a penny minted after 1982 may provide some benefit from its copper coating, older coins contain a much higher percentage of copper. To reap the beneficial action of copper, it is best to use a penny that was minted before 1982.