How to Care for Cut Sunflowers

Fill a vase with cold water and add one packet of commercial floral preservative to the water. Stir the water briskly to dissolve the floral preservative.

Hold the ends of the sunflower stems under cool running water and snip off the bottom inch from the stems with the scissors. Cut the stems off at a 45-degree angle.

Check the stems for any leaves that may sit beneath the water level after putting the sunflowers in the vase. If you find any low leaves along the stems, cut them off with the scissors.

Place the sunflowers in the vase and arrange them in a visually pleasing fashion.

Place the vase of sunflowers in a location out of direct sunlight. Choose a location away from cool drafts and sources of dry heat, if possible.

Check the water level in the vase every day and fill it back up to the rim to keep it full. Look for any shriveling leaves or blossoms and remove any you find.

Change the water completely every third day. Remove the sunflowers and set them aside. Pour out the old water, rinse the vase, fill it with fresh water and add another packet of floral preservative. Recut the sunflower stems again under running water, removing about 1/2 inch from the bottom of each stem. Place the sunflowers back in the vase.

Continue the daily care and replace the water completely every third day for as long as the sunflowers last.