How to Save a Wilted Rose

Blooming roses quickly lose their good looks after they're cut. To preserve cut roses for as long as possible, and even revive a few wilted ones, you simply need to give them a little extra care. Roses need lots of water to stay fresh, and they cannot tolerate cold air for very long. With proper care, cut roses can last up to 14 days.

Things You'll Need

Tub or similar container
Lukewarm water
Lemon-lime soda
Sharp scissors

Newspapers
Rubber bands
Vase

Instructions

- 1
  Fill a large container with lukewarm water and 1 cup of lemon-lime soda that contains real sugar.
- 2
  Submerge the entire wilted rose (bloom and stem) in the container of water and soda.
- 3
  Hold the flower under the water while you cut 1 inch off the bottom of the stem at a 45-degree angle.
- 4
  Remove the rose from the water. Quickly wrap the entire rose (bloom and stem) loosely in newspaper and secure it with a rubber band. The newspaper adds weight to the flower to keep it under the water.
- 5
  Place the wrapped rose back underwater and leave it there for at least 3 hours while it revives itself.
- 6
  Fill a vase with lukewarm water and place it beside the container holding the rose. Quickly pull out the revived rose, remove the newspaper and place the rose into the vase. To make the rose last as long as possible, minimize the time the stem is exposed to the air.

Rose Vines and Shrubs

What Can Stop Food Absorption for Roses?

Growing Roses