5 Ways to Extend the Life of Cut Peonies
Fresh cut flowers are a simple way to bring the beauty of spring and summer indoors, and Heinen’s Floral Department is overflowing with beautiful blooms that will brighten any corner of your home!
Every June, customers flock to our stores to get their hands on our fresh cut peonies while they’re in season. Their lush, ruffled petals, vibrant colors, and delicate scent add an elegant touch to any entryway, living room, dining room, or home office.
Heinen’s peonies are naturally long lasting, but like all cut flowers, they’re not meant to live forever. The good news is, there are simple tricks you can try to extend their life. Read on to discover five tips to help your peonies bloom to their full potential for as long as possible.
If you have a specific question about caring for fresh floral, ask your local Heinen’s Floral Heinen’s associate.
1. Pick Peonies that Have Not Bloomed
When perusing the Floral Department for the perfect peonies, choose a bunch that has not yet bloomed or where the petals are tightly closed and look like golf balls. While it may be tempting to purchase peonies at full bloom, they only last 2-3 days once fully open. When you buy peonies as buds, you can enjoy 4-6 days of the blooming process plus another 2-3 days at full bloom!
If you want peonies to open quickly, place the stems in warm water to stimulate the blooming process. For even faster blooming, submerge the peony buds in a bowl of warm water and gently twist the stems between your palms to encourage the buds to open.
2. Cut Peonies at an Angle and Remove Lower Leaves
Even though the peonies you get from Heinen’s are pre-cut, it’s a good idea to cut them again at an angle once you get home. This helps them absorb more water. Also, be sure to remove any leaves that would sit in the water to prevent bacteria growth.
3. Change the Water and Trim the Stems Regularly
While cut flowers do not require the same extensive care as outdoor flowers, they still need a little TLC. One of the best things you can do to extend the life of your peonies is change the water every 2–3 days and trim the stems to keep them fresh.
4. Avoid Direct Sunlight and Store in the Fridge Overnight
Placing a vase of peonies in indirect sunlight will prevent them from wilting and losing their color. Even better, if you have space, store your vase of peonies in the fridge overnight. The refrigeration and darkness will naturally slow the budding process.
5. Don’t Skip the Flower Food
Just like humans, flowers cannot grow if they are not fed, so don’t forget to add flower food to your vase. Heinen’s Floral Department offers free flower food packets, so make sure you grab a couple when you pick out your peonies. As you change the water in the vase, you can add fresh, homemade flower food using 2 tablespoons of sugar, 2 tablespoons of baking soda, and 2 tablespoons of powdered citric acid (located in the baking aisle).
