How to Keep Lilacs from Wilting in the Vase

How to preserve and keep lilacs from wilting after cutting them.

Lilac season finally arrived. Our lilac blooming season is definitely behind most, especially this year. I feel that this may be due to the long and heavy winter and lovely spring rains, and cooler weather that we are having. Lilac bouquets are a must have in the home while they are blooming! They fill our homes with the most beautiful scent and gorgeous colors. They are a spring beauty!

I feel like the luckiest girl this year since all three of my lilac bushes bloomed – The double bloom purple Ombre, the white and the purple single bloom. I love to bring big bunches into my home to enjoy throughout the season!

Do You Know How to Keep Lilacs from Wilting in a Vase?

Here is a detailed care guide to help you make those big beauties last as long as possible! Lilacs don’t last long once the flowers are cut and brought indoors, so here are a few tips to help maximize the life of a cut lilac. To be completely honest, I just discovered these tips. They are not guaranteed, and you will be lucky to get cut lilac blossoms to last three days to a week but give it a try anyways! The smell and beauty of lilacs are totally worth it!

Best Time to Cut Lilacs

The ideal time to cut the flowers – The best time to cut lilacs is in the early morning when the flowers are fully hydrated and not exposed to the day’s heat. This ensures that the lilacs maintain their freshness and vibrancy after cutting.

To Preserve Lilacs in a Vase You can Follow These Steps…

Here are the tips I found while researching ‘How to keep cut lilacs from wilting in a vase.’

1. Invest in good quality, sharp pruning shears. If you like to cut a lot of fresh flowers from your yard, it’s definitely worth it to invest in a good pair of pruning shears.
2. Choose your blooms wisely. Cut your flowers in the cooler morning or evening hours. Avoid the midday warm sun. This is a tip I read on a gardening website.
3. Trim your stems by cutting them at an angle.
4. Using a hammer smash the cut ends. This will allow the lilacs to drink as much water as they need.
5. Remove some or most of the lower leaves. I like some of the leaves to add to the fullness of the bouquet and the natural look. Remember those leaves will drink water too, not allowing water to reach the bloom.
6. Use a clean vase – keep the water fresh!
7. Instead of using a floral preservative you can make your own. Lilacs like different food than other flowers. You can create your own mixture with this simple recipe via French Country Cottage.
   • 1 teaspoon sugar
   • 1 teaspoon household bleach
   • 2 teaspoons lemon or lime juice
   • 1 quart of water
8. Plan to recut and re-smash the stems as many times as needed to keep your lilacs looking perky.
9. Keep in mind that lilacs don’t last weeks.
10. Keep your cut lilacs out of the direct sunlight.

My Thoughts on Lilacs

If I could have any superpower, I would ensure that lilacs weren’t so seasonal. That’s how much I enjoy their beautiful blooms and intoxicating scent. Lilac blooms appear like little star shaped blooms and if you look closely at the single bloom lilacs, they remind me of little trumpets. When lilacs are added to a room it’s like adding a little burst of sunshine. Of course, they are amazing for all of those things, and they are simply beautiful flowers to bring indoors and enjoy. Lilacs will always remind me of my sweet momma who loved them as much as I do.

Even as they fade from their vibrant purples to this pale pink from the warm spring sun, these blooms are still beautiful.

I hope your spring season and vase is filled with lovely lilacs!