Sunflowers are beautiful, easy to grow, and will last for days after you cut them. But once you’ve taken the time to pick out your perfect bouquet of sunflowers, how do you keep them looking their best? In this blog, we’ll show you exactly how to care for cut sunflowers so they look great for as long as possible.

Step 1: Select your flowers well

When you’re choosing sunflowers to keep, make sure that you pick a bunch that has some slighly opened blooms and buds as well. Picking flowers that are healthy and not wilted will help ensure your cut sunflowers last longer. Look for stems with a firm structure; they should not be limp or flimsy in any way. The bloom size is also important; do not pick too small flowers, as they will wilt faster than larger blooms due to their lack of size-specific water reserves.

Step 2: Place your sunflowers in a cool place

If you are not planning to use them immediately, place your sunflowers in a dark, cool place with indirect sunlight until you are ready. This will keep them fresh and help maintain their colour. 

Step 3: Trim your stems and leaves

Make sure to cut off the bottom inch or so of each stem before putting your sunflowers in the vase water. Any leaves that will be below the waterline also need to be removed, as these can cause bacteria growth and shorten your blooms’ life span.

Step 4: Change the water daily

Sunflowers are thirsty plants, so you’ll need to check their water level regularly. If it’s low, add more water. If the flowers have wilted, it’s likely they’re not getting enough water or are unable to absorb the water, re-cut and add fresh water. Regularly changing the water also stops bacteria from growing and any premature wilting.

Sunflowers are pretty simple to care for as long as you’re following these steps! Your beautiful, bright bunch should last for a good week or more and put a smile on your face each time you look at them. Make sure to tag @bloomcollege on socials if you snap a photo of your own sunflowers – we’d love to see them!