This is the time of year where many sweethearts give their special person a flower arrangement.  Those cut flowers are beautiful, but their beauty fades all too fast.  Real Simple tested out various ways to keep flowers fresh, and while aspirin and pennies didn’t make it, there are some ways to extend the life of your cut flowers.

The first thing to do, of course, is put your flower arrangement in water right away.  Water keeps the flowers hydrated and fresh looking.  They will wilt very quickly without it.  In fresh water, they will look good for up to four days.

Sugar can help prolong the life of flowers, but may lead to uneven blooming.

The only clear choice in the Real Simple test was commercial flower food, which is formulated to prevent bacteria, provide nourishment from sugar and help the stems get the water they need with an acidifier.

In theory, you could mix up a concoction on your own that contained the necessary ingredients.  A drop of bleach with a little lemon juice and some sugar might just do the trick, but this is not something I have tried personally, so I suggest you try it on a test flower first.

Other things you can do to keep your flowers fresher longer is to cut the stem again to ensure it is open and able to take on water, keep the flowers away from drafts and sun, and make sure you maintain the level of water so they don’t dry out.

Once you have enjoyed looking at them for a day or two, you can always dry them to preserve them forever.