How To Cut Hydrangeas for a Vase

Now that our lovely cottage garden is producing big, beautiful blue and purple hydrangea flowers I have started cutting the blooms to display in our home. I absolutely love the way hydrangeas look in a vase. They make a lovely addition to any table. Their big, moppy heads make them a much loved and iconic summer flower. The problem with hydrangeas is they often wilt quickly after you bring them inside. Today we are going to talk about how to cut hydrangeas for a vase, and I’m going to give you some tips and tricks for keeping your hydrangeas fresh!

Can I Cut Hydrangea Flowers for a Vase?

The answer is yes! There is a little bit of a difference in cutting hydrangeas during their growing season as opposed to the end of the growing season when they are papery. You can cut fresh hydrangeas and have lovely blooms in your vase during the summer.

The first step to cutting your fresh hydrangeas is to bring a vase of tepid water outside with you when you cut the stems. Cut each stem on a diagonal and stick in the vase of water.

It’s best to cut hydrangeas in the morning and choose blooms that are completely open. You want to cut mature flowers for your vase.

Make sure you use clean, room temperature water and a floral preservative if you have it.

Next, strip the leaves off of all of the stems. The leaves will steal the water from the blooms, so you want to make sure you remove them to make your hydrangeas last as long as possible.

Hydrangeas contain a liquid in their stems that will block off the cuts you made. To make sure your hydrangeas can accurately take up water, cut the stems on a diagonal and snip upwards around the stem.

Dip each stem in boiling water to help clear that sap that blocks the hydrangea from taking up water. Hold each stem in the boiling water for about 30 seconds, and then put into your vase of room temperature water.

How To Revive Wilted Cut Hydrangeas

It happens to the best of us. Our hydrangeas begin to wilt and we think they are done. Fret not, you can revive them!

One method for reviving your wilted hydrangeas is to place them in a cup of boiling water. Wait for the blooms to reopen before transferring them to your vase.

Submerging Hydrangeas in Water

Another method you can employ to revive your wilted hydrangeas is to submerge them in a sink full of water for about 45 minutes. Then, recut the stems and place in boiling water and then back into your vase. They’ll last another day or two.

Another trick for making your hydrangeas last longer is to use Alum. After you cut the stem on an angle and snip up the stem dip it into a little Alum and then place in your vase.

How Long Do Cut Hydrangeas Last?

Now that we’ve talked about all the wonderful ways you can make your cut hydrangeas last longer you may be wondering just how long they will last even with these additional measures.

You can expect your cut hydrangeas to last two to three days definitely. I’ve been able to stretch mine to 4-5 days with no issues. Cut hydrangeas make beautiful additions to any floral arrangement and are also lovely completely on their own in a vase!