This Trick Will Help Make Styling Your Vase Even Easier

Vases play a critical role in flower arrangement for a spectacular display, mentions Lincoln County Farm Center. However, if you are an avid plant enthusiast, you definitely understand the struggles of pulling off a proper flower arrangement given the different sizes of vases. The situation gets even trickier when you are supposed to prop a few dried branches in a wide vase for your interior decor. If you are among the many who simply can't find the best way to arrange flowers in a vase, you will love this creative hack that will make your life a lot easier. 

Ever tried putting regular dried rice in your flower vase? Yes, you read that right. Although rice is typically thought of as a food staple, you can also use it in flower vases as well. But what exactly does rice do for the flowers? If you are asking yourself this question, this post is for you. Let's discuss the reason why you should put rice in your vases and also explore other alternatives if you don't want to go this route.

To achieve a certain aesthetic using vases, the flowers need to stand up instead of flopping over. However, this is easier said than done especially if the vase is of an unusual shape, as there is nothing more frustrating than trying to make flowers sit perfectly in a vase with a wide opening. The benefit of using rice is to provide a medium where you can arrange the flowers or dried stems in whatever direction or angle you deem fit. Another benefit is to provide a heavy enough and stable base for top-heavy flowers like cut branches. 

It is worth mentioning that dried rice is not ideal for propping up just any flower. This is especially true for the type that needs to be dipped in water to maintain its fresh appearance. Another shortcoming of dried rice is that some may contain rice weevils. Although All-American Pest Control notes that they are not dangerous to humans, this can be unsettling. 

If you decide to try out this hack, note that you don't need to use your expensive brand of rice for this purpose — there are other cheaper options that you can use without feeling like you are pouring money down the drain.

If you don't like the idea of using food items for decoration purposes, then you should know that there are other alternatives to this hack. One of the most common alternatives is tying the flowers in threes. This makes it easier for them to spread and lean on the edges of the vases beautifully without falling out of position. Saffron's Decor recommends cutting the stalks longer than usual before tying them at the rear end. 

Another medium that provides the same benefits as dried rice is ceramic beads or small ball bearings. These work perfectly regardless of the size of the vase. One more great option is using floral foam to stabilize the flowers, which also provides the opportunity to hydrate flower cuttings that must be kept in water (via Osis Floral Products). You will have more control over the flower placement as well, which is important for interior decor.