How to Keep Your Sunflowers Looking Fresh and Fabulous
Sunflowers are one of my favourite fresh flowers to receive as a gift, and they are one of the reasons I love driving through France so much. There are fields and fields of them which never fail to make me smile. Keeping them at home, though, isn’t always easy, and they can easily wilt or droop. Here are some tips from Beards and Daisies to help keep sunflowers fresh at home.
How to keep sunflowers fresh in a vase for longer
Here I share 8 tips with you to keep sunflowers fresh in a vase this summer so you can enjoy them for longer.
Start with a clean vase and fresh water
Before you pop your sunflowers into a vase, give it a good scrub to get rid of any bacteria that could make your flowers wilt faster. Once they’re in, change the water every two days and use fresh, room-temperature water to keep sunflowers fresh, happy and hydrated.
Trim those stems at an angle
Snip the stems at a 45-degree angle to give your sunflowers more surface area to soak up water. Bonus tip: re-trim the stems every couple of days to keep the water flowing and keep sunflowers fresh.
Flower food is your friend
If your bouquet came with flower food, use it! It helps nourish your sunflowers and keeps the water cleaner. No flower food? No problem. Mix up a DIY version with a splash of lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, or even a pinch of sugar to give your flowers a little boost.
Keep them away from fruit
Did you know fruits release ethylene gas that can make your flowers wilt faster? Keep your sunflowers far from fruit bowls or ripening produce to help them last longer. In this ay the location of your vase plays a huge role in how to keep sunflowers fresh this year.
A splash of vodka (for the flowers, not you!)
Adding a tiny bit of vodka or gin to the vase water can slow down the ageing process by reducing ethylene gas buildup. Just a drop or two will do the trick to keep your sunflowers looking fresh.
Drop in a copper penny
Tossing an old copper penny into the vase works as a natural fungicide, helping to prevent bacteria from growing in the water. It’s an easy way to keep sunflowers fresh, vibrant and healthy.
Cool is key
Sunflowers love cooler temps, so keep them away from heat sources like radiators or direct sunlight. A cosy, shaded spot will help them stay perky for longer.
Underwater leaves
Any leaves sitting below the waterline can rot and make the water gross, which isn’t great for your flowers. Remove those leaves ASAP to keep the water clean and your sunflowers looking their best. This is one of the most common mistakes people make when trying to keep sunflowers fresh, but it is surprisingly easy to do.
The Best Time for Sunflowers and Why We Adore Them
Sunflowers are the ultimate symbol of summer, and for good reason! These golden beauties thrive during the warm months, typically blooming from mid-summer to early fall. If you’re looking to enjoy sunflowers at their peak, late July through September is the perfect time to find them in full glory. Whether you’re picking up a bouquet at the supermarket or admiring a field of them swaying in the breeze, sunflowers bring a little sunshine to any day.
Growing sunflowers at home
If you’ve ever dreamed of growing your own sunflowers, the good news is they’re surprisingly easy to grow at home. All you need is a sunny spot (they’re called sunflowers for a reason!) and some well-draining soil.
Plant the seeds directly in your garden after the last frost, usually in late spring, and make sure they get plenty of sunlight, at least 6-8 hours a day.
Water them regularly, especially during dry spells, and watch as they shoot up like nature’s skyscrapers. Some varieties can grow over 10 feet tall!
If you’re short on space, don’t worry, there are dwarf sunflower varieties that are perfect for pots or smaller gardens. Plus, growing your own sunflowers isn’t just rewarding; it’s also a great way to attract pollinators like bees and butterflies to your garden.
By growing your own sunflowers, you can enjoy them for much longer than when you try to keep sunflowers fresh that you have bought from the supermarket.
The Science of why we love them
So, why do we love sunflowers so much? Maybe it’s their cheerful, sunny faces that seem to radiate positivity, or the way they turn their heads to follow the sun throughout the day, a phenomenon called heliotropism. They’re a reminder to soak up the light and keep growing, no matter what.
Sunflowers also have a practical side, providing seeds for snacking, oil for cooking, and even a natural way to improve soil health.
Do you love sunflowers as much as I do? Do you have any other tips to keep sunflowers fresh for longer? Have you visited the sunflower fields in France? Let me know in the comments below.
