Chrysanthemums are true champions among cut flowers: with proper care a bouquet lasts two to three weeks, sometimes longer. They're easy-going, but a few simple rules keep them fresh to the last day: how to treat the tough stems, what to do with the leaves and how often to change the water. Here's how to care for chrysanthemums in a vase, whether single-headed, spray or daisy types.
Four steps that keep chrysanthemums going for 2–3 weeks.
Preparing chrysanthemums for the vase
Chrysanthemums have tough, woody stems that draw water more slowly than roses or tulips. Cut them at a sharp angle with a sharp knife and split the end by 2–3 cm to help them drink. Strip leaves from the lower half of the stem: they wilt before the flowers and rot quickly in water.
Fill the vase with cool water and dissolve a sachet of cut-flower food; we include one with UFL bouquets. Chrysanthemums don't need deep water: covering a third of the stem is enough. General rules for any bouquet are in how to make a bouquet last longer.
Daily care
Change the water every 2–3 days, rinse the vase and recut by 1–2 cm each time. Pick off leaves as soon as they yellow: the flowers stay fresh for much longer. Keep the bouquet in a cool, bright spot out of direct sun: chrysanthemums handle cool rooms well but wilt faster in heat and near radiators. Homemade flower food recipe: what to add to vase water.
Caring for different types
Single-headed chrysanthemums with big globe blooms are heavy, so use a tall, stable vase. Spray and daisy chrysanthemums carry several flowers per stem; snap off spent ones without disturbing the rest. More on daisy types in daisies in a vase, and forms and varieties in types of chrysanthemums.
How long chrysanthemums last
With proper care chrysanthemums last 2–3 weeks, making them one of the most durable bouquet flowers. That's why they often appear in autumn bouquets with dahlias, asters and berries, covered in autumn bouquets. If you'd like to grow your own, see growing chrysanthemums. For what each colour means, see chrysanthemum meaning.
Common mistakes
Don't snap stems by hand or cut them with blunt scissors: crushed vessels drink poorly. Don't leave leaves in the water, don't fill the vase to the brim, and keep the bouquet away from fruit. Don't mist the full heads: moisture between petals can cause rot.
Chrysanthemums delivered in Kyiv
Chrysanthemums last for weeks: we deliver them fresh across Kyiv with flower food.
Yes, a 2–3 cm split helps the tough stem drink better.
How often should I change the water?
Every 2–3 days, recutting the stems each time.
Why do the leaves wilt but not the flowers?
Leaves fade first: pick them off and the bouquet will last much longer.
Author: Maria Svitlovir
Graduated from Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Institute of Biology and Medicine (2001). BSc in Biology, MSc in Horticulture. Writes about plants, works at a garden centre selecting and repotting plants, and contributes to plant reference guides.
Birthday
Hydrangeas