Sunflowers are little droplets of sunshine sprinkled around your house and can give the required boost in your day whenever you need it. But droopy petals and browning leaves create an unattractive look. That is the reason why you need to learn how to care for sunflowers and keep your bright blooms happy!
Gorgeous sunflowers in vases are a superb summer greeting for you and anyone who visits your home. They are the perfect way to bring a bit of sun and brightness into your home. The classic addition of this flower to any home decor can enhance the elegance and beauty of your space.
Sunflowers are fairly easy to care for, but there is a lot more involved than just adding water. Continue scrolling to read our tips and tricks on how to care for sunflowers to make the sunshine last longer in your beautiful space!
Simple Tips on How to Care for Sunflowers
Decorating these blooms is easy, but knowing how to care for sunflowers and keep them fresh is a whole other story.
Here are a few simple tips on how to look after your sunflowers and keep them happy and vibrant.
Purchase Them Fresh
To ensure that your sunflowers last long, always purchase them freshly cut and try to get them into the water as soon as possible. You can also grow these flowers in your own cut garden.
Trim the Stems
Cut the stems at an angle with sharp pruners. This ensures that the water duct is open to receive hydration, ensuring that your lovely flowers do not sit in any stagnant water that might cause them to rot.
Add Tepid Water to the Vase
Clean your vase thoroughly before placing the sunflowers in it. Once you are home with your freshly cut sunflowers, immediately place them in a vase of tepid to cool water. Flowers absorb warm water quicker, reducing their chances of wilting sooner.
Change the Water
Make sure that you change the water in your vase every other day, maybe even more frequently, if you notice the water becoming murky. Clean the vase before changing the water to remove any existing bacteria.
Sugar & Lemon Make it More Fun!
Adding a mixture of sugar and lemon is an easy way to keep your sunflowers fresh and blooming. Take 1 tablespoon of sugar, 2 tablespoons of lemon juice, and 1 tablespoon of vinegar to make your solution. Add it to the water in your vase and enjoy your vibrant flowers longer!
Place Out of Direct Sunlight
Do make sure that you place the vase of your beautiful sunflowers out of direct sunlight. Cut sunflowers are not a fan of extreme sun exposure, which is why you should avoid placing them near direct sunlight or other heat sources.
Steps to Follow to Prolong the Life of Your Sunflowers
To make it easier for you to learn how to care for sunflowers, we have created a simple guide for you that you can follow right after your sunflower purchase!
Make sure that all the leaves in your sunflowers are cut below the water line. Place the wrapped flowers in water in a standing position so they can get a good drink as you prepare their vase.
Fill the vase with water and allow it to reach room temperature. In case you are using floral foam, allow it to soak until it has sunk to the bottom after complete saturation.
Add a packet of flower food to the water to extend the bloom life. If you do not have flower food, you can always use the sugar and lemon mixture mentioned earlier to create a homemade substitute.
Slant cut the stems at least ½ inch from the bottom. Since flower stems seal their ends naturally, cutting them in this manner allows the sunflowers to take in as much water as required.
Remove any submerged leaves, as they will rot over time and wilt the sunflowers.
Sunflowers are quite thirsty, so make sure to check water levels and add fresh water as and when needed.
You can recut the stems underwater to ensure the flowers take in fresh water.
What Looks Great in a Vase with Sunflowers?
Sunflowers are among some of the world’s most beautiful flowers. They look great alone and with other flowers. Now that you know how to care for sunflowers, you can also read about the number of different flowers that go well together with sunflower arrangements.
Roses are a trendy choice to pair with sunflowers, as the contrasting colors complement each other perfectly.
Pansies and daisies can be great to pair with your sunny blooms as they are shorter than sunflowers and can help fill in the blank spaces in your floral arrangement.
Chrysanthemums are another great choice to add to your sunflower bouquet. These delicate blooms can add the perfect touch of elegance to your arrangement.
You can also pair your sunflowers with iris blooms. Their stunning purple color can create a gorgeous contrast with the vibrant yellow of sunflowers.
Sunflowers can also be arranged with lilies. The complementing soft colors make an attractive arrangement for any space in your home or office.
Some Inspiration for Sunflower Arrangements
From classic arrangements to edgy silhouettes, sunflowers are the perfect choice for a gorgeous flower arrangement. Here are our recommendations that can inspire you to arrange your sunflowers.
Classic Arrangement
Arrange your fresh sunflowers in a glass vase with surrounding foliage to create a striking look. Use a tall, narrow vase that supports their height.
Dramatic Arrangement
Balance sunflowers with slender delphiniums to create a dramatic visual for your centerpiece.
Exotic Arrangement
Combine yellow sunflowers, purple orchids, and coral roses to create a lush vase of blooms that can draw eyes as soon as someone enters in the room.
Get Well Arrangement
Sunflowers are the ultimate flower to wish someone health and wellness. Create a cheerful, optimistic bouquet by pairing these yellow blooms with snapdragons, chrysanthemums, and white roses. You can mix in greens for fullness and texture.
Grab Your Pocket of Sunshine to Go!
Learning and understanding how to care for sunflowers can ensure that your blooms last long. The only way to do that is to look after them in the best way possible. By following the simple steps listed above, you can care for your sunflowers and enjoy their vibrancy around you for a longer time.
Buy your pocket of sunshine from Alpha Floral today! Contact us at 805-965-5165 for fresh floral arrangements.