Obviously, we all love peonies! We do, and there’s no mistaking why – the abundant spilling petals, the delicate fragrance, the lacy blooms all make peonies as special as they are. But the one place where peonies lack is vase life. Where a rose might last 7-10 days in a vase with water changes and daily stem trimming, peonies typically top out at 5 days. And that’s a bummer! But I’m here to share all I know about keeping them looking fresh for as long as possible.
1. Proper Hydration is Key
Once your get your peonies, it’s important to cut and hydrate them properly. First, you must cut the stems with a sharp knife or floral shears. Kitchen scissors will crush the stems and prevent proper hydration.
If your stems have foliage, you’ll want to strip most of it, except for any leaves just below the bloom. This will help force water to the bloom.
Also, peonies are not lilies and do not look good displayed tall. If your peonies are sitting 6 or more inches above the lip of the vase, they probably look a little scant and wonky. Shorten your stems so that they sit closer to the vase; this will help accelerate the hydration process and help your arrangement look better.
2. Patience Is Everything
Patience is everything when it comes to your peonies blooming. I realize that I’ve shared tips before about getting your peonies to open quickly (e.g. hydrating or bathing them in warm water), and they are effective! But forcing your peonies to bloom will shorten their vase life. You’d be better off trimming your peony stems and hydrating them in a mixture of cool water and flower food. Let them hydrate in their own time, and trim the stems every other day or so, and eventually even the most stubborn peonies can open.
Be sure to use your flower food! It has a mixture of preservatives that keep the water fresh and sugars to feed the stems. Some flowers, like tulips, are sensitive to flower food but peonies definitely benefit.
3. Keep Your Peonies Cool
Once they’re cut and in water, keep your flowers cool and keep the temperature consistent. Warmth will increase bacterial growth in the vase water (as it does with any flowers), but warm temperatures also encourage peonies to open and drop their petals more quickly. So keep these cuties out of the sun.
On the note of consistency, some flowers tolerate being put into the fridge overnight (like a makeshift florist cooler), but peonies are not fans of changing temperatures! The shifts in temperature and humidity between your home and your fridge will age your peonies faster.
4. Keep Your Peonies Away From Fruit
OK, this isn’t always true, but it applies if you have any ripening produce in your kitchen. Did you leave some avocados out? Are there bananas hanging nearby? Keep them away from peonies! All aging produce (including flowers) emit ethylene gas, which ripens produce and wilts flowers more quickly than normal. Bowls of fruit on the counter are lovely, but keep your peonies elsewhere in the house.
5. Don't Give Up On A Closed Bloom
Sometimes a peony just won’t open—no matter how much you pamper it—and that can be frustrating. Once in a while, you may have a peony or two that doesn’t bloom and in those moments it’s important to remember that very few of mother nature’s products are perfect. Peonies are special because of their incredible blooms, but they’re also incredible because they require more delicate care and focused labor than almost any other flower. They require a winter season to ensure a bloom the next year (and thus can’t be grown in greenhouses), they require direct sunlight to bloom well, and the first bloom of the season isn’t predictable from year to year. Farmers have to choose exactly the right moment to harvest, so that they don’t risk the bloom developing too much. All that to say, give your peonies the grace to be the unique and special blooms they are.
6. Don't Crowd The Vase
Peonies need a little breathing room! If you pack too many peony stems into one vase, they’ll compete for hydration and airflow. That means more chances for mold, mildew, and sadly, faster petal drops. Give each peony a little space to shine! A loose and airy arrangement not only looks more refined, it also helps your flowers last much longer. If you’re working with a tight bunch, consider splitting them between two vases.
7. Change The Water (Like, Religiously)
As a plant parent, it sounds very simple, but clean water makes a huge difference. Peonies are especially sensitive to bacteria in vase water, so change it daily if you are able. Rinse the vase, re-trim the stems (just a sliver, don’t go too crazy), and refill with cool water and flower food if you have it. Even if the flowers are fading, fresh water can help you get just one more beautiful day from them—and with peonies, that’s always worth it.
Feeling inspired to surround yourself with some summer peonies? You can shop our entire Peony Collection and enjoy these delicate, lacy blooms.
FAQs
How do I make peonies last longer in a vase?
To extend the vase life of your peonies, start by trimming the stems with floral shears and removing excess foliage. Arrange them low in the vase for better hydration, use fresh water with flower food, and keep them in a cool, shaded spot away from ripening fruit. Change the water daily and re-trim the stems every other day.
How long do peonies typically last?
Cut peonies usually last around 5 days in a vase (sometimes longer with proper care). Unlike roses or carnations, peonies are more delicate and tend to open quickly and drop petals fast, especially when it’s hot. Daily water changes and cool placement can help you get the most out of each flower.
How do I make my peonies bloom faster?
To encourage closed peony buds to bloom faster, place them in a vase of warm water and keep them in a warm room. You can also gently submerge just the bloom in lukewarm water for 5–10 minutes.
What type of light do peonies require?
If you’re growing peonies, they need full sun to thrive (at least 6 hours of direct sunlight a day). As cut flowers, they should be kept out of direct sunlight to preserve their vase life. Bright, indirect light indoors is ideal for displaying fresh-cut peonies.
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