How to make your Valentine’s Day roses last longer

Valentine’s Day spending shows little sign of waning. Floral arrangements are among the most popular purchases on this special day. According to Rio Roses, customers spent $2.3 billion on flowers for Valentine’s Day in 2022. Valentine’s Day tends to be the busiest day for florists as plenty of people want to surprise sweethearts with bouquets and other floral arrangements. Red roses account for 70% of all Valentine’s Day flower purchases.

Early in 2023, Finance Buzz researched the average cost of a dozen roses in each state so shoppers could expect what they would pay to gift their loved ones, and the average price for a dozen roses in the United States was $80.16 at that time. Pennsylvania had the most affordable roses and Hawaii the most expensive. Roses can be costly, and recipients may want to do their bests to ensure the flowers last as long as possible.

• Unwrap the bouquet from any plastic as soon as possible to let the flowers breathe. Also, recut the stems with sharp scissors at a 45-degree angle.

• Remove any leaves from the stems that would end up sitting in the water when the roses are placed in a vase.

• Wash the vessel to rid it of dirt, dust and any grime to give the roses the best start possible.

• Use lukewarm water to fill the vase. Water that is too hot or too cold may shock the blooms and shorten their life span. Fill the vase to three-quarters full.

• Use the flower food that comes with the roses. It is a good mix of nutrients to help prolong the life of the roses. A teaspoon of sugar dissolved in water also can be used in a pinch if the roses didn’t come with flower food.

• Change the water every few days, especially if it is cloudy. This is a good time to re-snip the stems and add more flower food to the lukewarm water.

• Keep any cut flowers away from direct sunlight, drafts and radiators or heating vents.

With proper care, cut roses may be able to last seven to 10 days , says Southern Living magazine.

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