Keeping hydrangeas alive in a vase can be a real challenge.
I learned that the first time I picked a few hydrangeas from my garden and put them into a vase from my living room so that my gardener mom wouldn’t get mad at me for having such bland indoor decor.
It worked out fine for a while but, soon, the hydrangeas started to wilt and eventually died out.
In this article, I’ll provide you with a few expert tips on how you can keep your hydrangeas alive and thriving in a vase for days.
Let’s get right into it!
How To Keep Hydrangeas Alive In A Vase? 5 Expert Tips!
5 – Cut Stems At An Angle
Now, you might be wondering, “What difference will that even make?”
Well, actually…a lot!
When you cut stems at an angle (ideally 45°), you essentially increase the surface area of the stem that’s exposed to water, which can aid with water absorption.
Why is this important?
To keep your plant hydrated. The more efficiently your hydrangea stems can absorb water and use it for function, the less stress they’re placed under, meaning more of their energy can go towards growth and flowering.
4 – Replace Water Frequently
Replacing water often is essential for keeping hydrangeas fresh and healthy. Water that has been in the vase for too long can attract bacterial or fungal formation, causing stems to degrade and flowers to lose their spark.
Over time, old water can also become cloudy and murky which isn’t a great look, especially if you keep the vase indoors for decorative purposes.
3 – Mist Petals Often
Misting your hydrangea petals often can be a great way to keep them looking alive and hydrated. The water droplets add moisture to the air around the plant and increase humidity which helps tremendously during dry spells.
If it’s winter time and the air is extremely dry, consider misting up to 2-3 times a day and changing up the watering schedule to make it a little more frequent. Your hydrangeas will thank you for it!
2 – The Warm Water Trick
Believe it or not, hydrangeas can actually absorb water through every part of the plant! That includes the stems, leaves, and the petals!
If your hydrangeas seem dull and wilting in their vase, the warm water trick can help you perk up their spherical flowers in no time.
The trick involves putting your whole hydrangea plant in a bucket of warm water and letting it sit with its heads submerged in there for some time. Once you take the plant out, it should appear a lot healthier and vibrant.
Keep in mind, however, that this trick is only a temporary band-aid. If your hydrangea keeps wilting again and again, you’ll either need to dunk it in warm water a lot more frequently or address the underlying cause eventually.
1 – Use Alum
Alum is a pickling agent that’s used in the pickling and canning of fruits and vegetables to preserve their structural integrity and freshness.
Now, to use it for your hydrangeas, you either want to put it on the cut end of your hydrangea stems or add it to the water in the vase to increase the longevity of blooms and breathe back life into the plant, giving it a fresher appearance in no time.
Final Words
Although hydrangeas ideally thrive in outdoor environments, you can certainly enjoy their beauty in vases too.
Yes, cutting stems and transferring them to a vase will call for some effort and attention but it’s not something you can’t deal with.
Resolving wilting and withering issues is only a matter of changing certain aspects of their care routine or employing the special trick I just equipped you with.
