The Ultimate Guide to Keeping Fresh Cut Hydrangeas from Drooping
Now that we are in the height of hydrangea season, I’m often asked how to keep fresh cut hydrangeas from drooping.
Does that happen to you too? It’s disappointing when they wilt. But there are two ways to prevent that from happening and both work equally well.
Fresh cut hydrangeas wilt when they self-heal from the initial cut. Because cut stems start to form a substance over the wound to heal itself, water has trouble reaching the blooms. When the flowers don’t get enough water, they start drooping. And luckily, there is an easy fix for this.
Supplies Needed for Fresh Cut Hydrangeas
- Pruners
- Container filled with fresh water for the initial fresh cuts
- Second container filled with fresh water to display the arrangement
- Alum Spice (if using alum method)
- Pot filled with boiling hot water (if using hot water method)
Directions
- Gather supplies.
- Clean pruning shears before making cuts.
- Tip: it’s best to cut hydranges in the early am while the weather is cool.
- Cut stems on an angle.
- Immediately drop fresh cuts into container of fresh water.
- Choose and follow one of the methods below: Hot Water or Alum.
- If using grocery store or floral blooms, skip this part and follow one of the below methods.
How to Keep Fresh Cut Hydrangeas from Drooping Using Hot Water
- After the initial cuts are made, boil water.
- Have the second container of room temperature water ready to hold the arrangement.
- Cut hydrangea stems again on an angle to the desired length of the arrangement.
- Optional: some like to smash bottom of stems so it takes in more water. (I’ve never done this but I’ve heard it works).
- Stand hydrangea stems in hot water for 30 seconds.
- Immediately drop into room temperature water.
- Arrange flowers accordingly.
How to Keep Fresh Cut Hydranges from Drooping Using Alum
Alum is a spice that is used for pickling and canning. But did you know that it can also be used to help keep hydrangeas from wilting? Here’s how to use it:
- After making the initial cuts from the plant, immediately drop stems in fresh water.
- Get second container with fresh water ready and grab the alum spice.
- While arranging the blooms, re-cut stems on an angle to the desired length of the arrangement.
- Dip the bottom 1/2 inch of stem into the alum.
- Drop into second container
- Arrange the flowers.
How to Revive Wilted Blooms
- If the arrangement’s water is more than a day old, dump it and add fresh water before reviving.
- Soak the blooms for several hours. I do this in the kitchen sink.
- Re-cut all the stems on an angle.
- Choose and follow one of the above methods to finish reviving the blooms.
- Note: if the arrangement is much older, blooms may be more difficult to revive. But give it a shot!
I hope you found this post helpful to fix drooping hydrangeas. My fresh cut hydrangeas last so much longer in arrangements now. Although both methods work pretty well, I prefer using the alum method.
More About Hydrangeas
- The Complete Guide to Hydrangea Care and Their Flowers
- How to Dry a Hydrangea the Easy Way
- How to Divide Hydrangeas
- How to Propagate Hydrangeas in 7 Easy Steps
- Why Aren’t My Hydrangeas Blooming?
- Why Aren’t My Hydrangeas Blooming – Update?
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Love these useful tips Stacy.
Rachel.
Thank you Rachel! I’m surprised how well both methods work! xoxo
Having serious kitchen envy – yours is gorgeous! Thx for hydrangea tips
Thanks so much Judy!!! I’m glad you found the tips helpful too! xoxo
This post was so helpful Stacy. My grocery store ones always wilt right away so I never buy them anymore…
I’m so glad you found it helpful! I cut mine early last week and they still look amazing today! Enjoy the blooms!!! xoxo
Stacy, I am so glad that you linked up with us at Embracing Home and Family! I love your blog, it is absolutely beautiful! I just noticed that you link to follow you on HomeTalk in your sidebar…brilliant! I have never thought of doing that! I hope that you continue to join us on Fridays!
Thank you Jennifer!!! I really love your blog too and am so glad we connected through blogging! I love hometalk – aren’t they great? I’ll look for you on there to follow! Enjoy your Sunday! xoxo
Great tips! Thanks for sharing at TFT. I am happy to feature you this week!
https://followtheyellowbrickhome.com/soft-and-serene-september-vibes-at-thursday-favorite-things/
Amber thank you so much for the feature!!! I really appreciate it!!! Have a great weekend!!! xoxo
Do you have any tips for drying hydrangeas? I find some types dry naturally even when in water, but the traditional hydrangeas don’t seem to be easy to dry.
Hi Teresa! Its funny you ask! I am sharing a blog post on it tomorrow!! Are you signed up for my newsletter? If so, it will go right to your inbox!
Hi Stacy, Thank you for these tips on hydrangeas, and please keep up the ever so interesting reads.
I truly appreciate that Alice. Thank you so much!!! xoxo
Hi Stacy – I will order the alum powder today. Thank you so much for a great tip.
Love hydrangeas. I have probably propagated over 50 of them.
I’m so glad you found it helpful Diana! Thank you! xo
You are welcome Diana! The alum powder worked really well. My blooms lasted so long! xoxo