I have a few tips on how to care for freshly cut hydrangeas which hopefully you’ll find helpful.
This as been one of my most popular posts, and one of my most debated hot topics! Everyone has an opinion on the best way to care for them. I posted this on HomeTalk and there were 21k views and 47 comments! (side note: I don’t use HomeTalk anymore … do you?)
I don’t have home grown hydrangeas, so I have to rely on grocery stores or Costco (which is where I found these.) There were four in the package and although they looked fresh, they appeared to be scrunched up a bit. After humming and hawing for 10 minutes, I finally decided to shell out the ridiculously low price of $8.00 (it’s almost a crime, really) and just get them.
When I got home, I had to do a little research on how to care for these amazing flowers. I knew enough to re-cut the stems (on a slant) but what I didn’t know was that they are the most water-lovin’ flowers you will ever find!
How to Care for Freshly Cut Hydrangeas
- cut the bottom of the stems off while under water (use garden shears) – this prevents a bubble from forming and hindering the uptake of water
- poke several holes in the stem with a needle (I used a nail)
- fill a vase to the brim with cold, cold water – add a handful of ice cubes! isn’t that weird? but apparently hydrangeas love cold water
- add the flower food that is usually included – if you don’t have flower food you can use 1 Tbsp sugar with 1tsp bleach
- add the hydrangeas and let them fall into place
- spritz the flower heads with more water
After following all these directions, I was rewarded with big fluffy blooms that lasted for days and days!
Do you have any tips or tricks when it comes to hydrangeas?