Days of Their Lives: How long will your favorite flowers last? Check our list to find out

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Days of Their Lives: How long will your favorite flowers last? Check our list to find out

May 28, 2008

You probably know that carnations have a knack for looking good long after their stems hit the vase. But did you know anthurium and star of Bethlehem last about the same length of time?

Pink Peonies

Peonies generally last about 3-5 days.

Here’s a list of flower longevity, as printed in a recent issue of a Teleflora magazine.

1-2 days: Gardenia.

3-5 days: Cornflower, daffodil, iris, lilac, peony, phlox, Queen Anne’s lace, stephanotis, lily of the valley and tulip.

5-7 days: Anemone, bouvardia, calla, delphinium, freesia, gerbera, gloriosa lily, gypsophila, Marguerite daisy, rose, snapdragon, stock and zinnia.

7-14 days: Agapanthus, alstroemeria, Monte Casino aster, Bells of Ireland, chrysanthemum, gladiolus, heather, liatrus, Asiatic lily, Oriental lily, nerine, cymbidium and dendrobium orchids, Sweet William, tuberose, wax flower and yarrow.

14 or more days: Anthurium, carnation, mini-carnation, star of Bethlehem and statice.

Flower care tips
Remember, any flower will last longer with proper care. Here are some easy tips:

The most important step is to recut the stems every few days and completely change the water every day (don’t just top it off). Clean the vase, add fresh, room-temperature water and, if you have it, fresh food. Cut the stems at an angle.

Make sure there is no foliage below the water line. That way, bacteria is kept at bay.

Keep flowers away from drafts, vents, direct sunlight, radiators, tops of TV sets. Most flowers prefer temperatures between 65 to 72 degrees Fahrenheit (18 to 22 degrees Celsius).

Flower Fact of the Day: Deadheading may not sound very nice, but it’s actually a good thing for plants. It’s just removing old blooms to extend the life of a plant. To read more, check out Orlando Sentinel garden columnist Tom MacCubbin’s aptly named blog, Tom’s Digs: http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/features_gardening_blog/
2008/05/grooming-increa.html.

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Comments

Patricia Hafner | Reply
May 28, 2008

Thanks for posting these very helpful hints. It is great to know how long a flower can actually live.

Julianne | Reply
May 31, 2008

Ohhh I was so sad to read about how little time a gardenia lasts...they are my favorites, they smell so divine. However, this is a very helpful list and I love the advice, especially about changing the water. Thank you so much for the insight, I will pass on your article to my family and friends!!!