The Ultimate Guide to Keeping Fresh Cut Hydrangeas from Drooping
Now that we are at 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 so disappointing when they wilt.
But there are two ways to prevent that from happening and both work equally well.
Why Are My Fresh Cut Hydrangeas Wilting?
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.
With proper care, hydrangeas can last a long time.
Here are two methods to keep those fresh-cut flowers looking gorgeous for weeks!
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 hydrangeas in the early am while the weather is cool.
- Cut stems at an angle.
- Immediately drop fresh cuts into a 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 the 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 Hydrangeas 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 freshwater.
- Get a 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 the stem into the alum.
- Drop into the second container
- Arrange the flowers.
Dip the fresh-cut hydrangea in the alum powder.
Then immediately drop into water.
Arrange your flowers accordingly.
I love to mix the colors up a little for some contrast.
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 at 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!
Don’t these fresh-cut hydrangeas look so beautiful?
I love how they look in this pretty vintage container too.
I kept them outside for a bit but wound up bringing them indoors in my kitchen.
Because I love how they look on the kitchen island with those vintage seed prints in the background.
Since using these techniques, I haven’t had trouble with fresh-cut hydrangeas again.
So now there are more blooms to enjoy indoors!
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?
- Are Hydrangeas Deer Resistant?
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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
Thank you so much for taking the time to post these helpful tips. I used the hot water method, and No Droop! Even after 2 days! Very happy to enjoy my hydrangea blossoms inside!
I am SO glad you found it helpful! It works so well right??? xo
I use the Alum trick and it works well.
Our Limelights are slowly expanding. It makes my heart so happy.
I love them !
The alum works so well! I love the limelight too. xo
Hi…is that Hoosier alum powder granulated? I looked up the one you show here and it appears to be granulated, not an actual powder. Just want to make sure I order the right one.
Hi…is that Hoosier alum powder granulated? I looked up the one you show here and it appears to be granulated, not an actual powder. Just want to make sure I order the right one.
Hi…is that Hoosier alum powder granulated? That’s all I can find for that company.
It is similar to a powder – you can probably find it in your spice aisle at the grocery store too.
Your garden has the touch of a lady who loves gardening. So beautiful.
When I go out of town I have a lady come every day to check my small garden.
She waters what needs watering and with the horribly hot weather we have had in Va. Beach, it’s a daily need.
I don’t know if you know anyone who could check on your garden when you are away. Maybe not just to water but tie up what needs tying up.
Yes, alum is in the spice aisle and could also be in the canning materials aisle.
Just love your blog.
I truly appreciate that Diana. Thank you so much for dropping by today!