How to Keep Fresh Flowers in the Refrigerator

Flowers stay healthier longer in cooler temperatures.

An elegant flower arrangement can brighten up a space and change the mood of any room. Keep cut flowers fresh longer by refrigerating them. Cut flowers live longer and are healthier in cooler temperatures. Storing them in the refrigerator for just a few hours a day will slow down water loss, respiration, and development.

Things You'll Need

• Flowers
• Vase
• Scissors

Instructions

1. Buy flowers that have been refrigerated. If they have been sitting out for any length of time, the flowers will wilt faster. Many retailers keep their flowers refrigerated or in special air conditioned rooms.

2. Remove the flowers from the packaging. Hold the stem ends underwater, and cut 1/2 inch to 1 inch off of the bottom of the stem with a pair of sharp scissors.

3. Fill a vase halfway full with lukewarm water and place the flowers in the vase. Place the vase and flowers in the refrigerator at 40 degrees F overnight. Remove all fruit and vegetables from your refrigerator, because they give off a gas called ethylene which speeds up the aging process in flowers.

4. Remove your flowers from your refrigerator the next morning and place them in a cool area of your house away from direct sunlight. Keep them away from heating and air conditioning vents; temperature and humidity changes can cause the flowers to dry and wilt.

5. Refrigerate the flowers in the vase anytime they are not on display to extend the life of your fresh flowers.

Tips & Warnings

• Remove any dying flowers immediately. They emit ethylene gas and will cause the healthy flowers to wilt.

References

• University of Illinois: Take Care Choosing, Preserving Cut Roses
• Oklahoma State University: The Care and Handling of Cut Flowers

Resources

• Purdue University: Add Hours to Your Flowers