How to Cut Sunflowers to Put in a Vase

Sunflowers provide a bright splash of sunny color to your home, whether inside or out. They make cheerful spring and summer centerpieces. Sunflowers are gestures of goodwill and friendship, making them perfect gifts for any friend or loved one having a tough day. Sunflowers' broad yellow blossoms can grow up to 12 inches in diameter, though a bouquet will work better with smaller blooms. Really big blooms may cause your vase to topple over.

Pruning shears
Sink
Cool water
Sharp knife
Tall, heavy bottomed vase
Aspirin
Spoon

Instructions

- 1
  Cut your sunflowers no more than 2 inches taller than your vase. Sunflowers are heavy drinkers and their stems aren't aesthetically important. Having more of the stem submerged means your sunflowers stay moist and fresh. Snip them with pruning shears.
- 2
  Fill your sink with cool water. Remove all of the leaves from your sunflowers and hold the end of each stem under the cool water. Cut away the last 1/2 inch of each stem at a 45 degree angle. This ensures the stem stays open, allowing your sunflower to drink.
- 3
  Fill a tall, heavy-bottomed vase half full of water. Vases with thick, glass bottoms and tall, cylindrical bodies work best. The heavy bottom keeps the vase from falling and the narrow shape clusters the sunflowers together.
- 4
  Crush two aspirin pills with a spoon and sprinkle the powder in the water. The aspirin acts as a preservative to keep your sunflowers fresher, longer.
- 5
  Slide the sunflowers into your vase one at a time, arranging the blooms as you go. They should cluster together without crushing each other.

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