How Long Can Flowers Go Without Water?
Posted on 01/11/2021
We have all done it. We had a bouquet of flowers delivered and forgotten to water them. It is easily done. If flowers aren’t a part of your everyday life, then it is easy to forget that they need watering. Or maybe you went away for a few days and forgot to top up the vase before you left. It might have you worrying that your flowers are doomed, but actually, you might be surprised. Some flowers aren’t as picky about water as others. And there are a few that thrive without excessive watering. Typically most flowers won’t last beyond a week without water. But, as with most things in life, it all depends on the situation. What kind of flowers they are, where they are living, and what else is going on around them. Here are a few interesting things to think about:
The type of flower. If you have got a dozen roses delivered and forgotten to water them, you might be worried about their fate. But actually, roses can last a couple of days without water as they have nice long stems to store water in for a little while. Something with a less firm and structured stem, such as a pansy is likely to suffer from a lack of water much quicker, probably within a day. Yet, you have also got things like succulents and cacti that can last weeks without water and prefer minimal watering to thrive. So, the first thing to think about is the type of flower you have, as that will be the main factor in its length of life without water.
The temperature. Did you know that the temperature can drastically affect the survival rates of a flower without water? In the heat, they tend to struggle more without sufficient water, which makes sense, because, just like us, the hotter the temperature, the more water flowers will need. Therefore, your recent flower delivery is likely to last a little bit longer in the winter if you forget to water it, but will probably shrivel fairly fast in the intense summer sun. Of course, this also depends on where your flowers are located. If they are in a shady spot, then it will be cooler, but they might not get enough sun to thrive, whereas, in the sun, they might need less water but get overheated too quickly without liquid.
The existing levels of water. Even if you forget to water your flowers, then they probably already have a little bit in there to live off. Most flower delivery services will deliver your bouquet with a decent amount of water already in the packaging. So assuming you add that to the vase, you will already have plenty of water to start with. If you then forget to water them, then they will probably last a while. But if there was no water in there to start with, then you will find your flowers definitely won’t last as long.
How quickly it gets water added. Even the saddest looking flowers can often be revived with a burst of freshwater. So don’t give up on a bouquet just because it looks a tad limp. Add a bit of water and see if they come back to life.
There are many great tips on keeping your flowers looking tip-top, and while water is a major component of their health, it is not the only thing to think about. There is also flower food, their sun exposure, and pruning, all of which influence their lease of life. And if you need advice, don’t hesitate to contact us today and get top tips from a qualified florist.
