How to Color White Carnation Flowers

Give white carnations a little color by adding food coloring to their water.

If the florist or local market has only white carnations and you want colored ones, add the color yourself. An easy craft project that includes food coloring and a little sugar should achieve the results you want. The project is also a fascinating science project for young children, as it illustrates how plants absorb liquid.

Things You'll Need

• Clear vase
• Food coloring
• Sugar
• Measuring spoon
• Scissors

Instructions

1. Pour warm water into a clear flower vase or similar object. Make sure there is about 3 inches of water in the vase.

2. Add food coloring to the water. If using paste food coloring, add about ½ teaspoon. If using liquid food coloring, add several dozen drops. It won't hurt to add a little extra food coloring, if desired.

3. Add sugar at a ratio of ½ teaspoon per cup of water. Stir to dissolve sugar and mix the color.

4. Cut off about 2 inches from the bottom of each carnation stem, cutting at an angle.

5. Place the stems in the water, cut end first. Leave the flowers in the water to drink up the dye solution. The process can take up to 24 hours.

6. Remove the colored carnations from the solution and rinse the ends of the stems.

7. Cut off an additional inch from each stem before using the flowers in an arrangement.

References

• University of Nebraska-Lincoln: Colorful Carnations
• "Greetings With Love: The Book of Valentines"; Michele Karl; 2003