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Freshly Cut Peonies Will Last For Months With This Clever Storage Tip
By WILL FORD
While peonies are beautiful flowers, they usually only last for about a week once they are cut and harvested. However, you can use a simple storage hack to elongate their lifespan.
First, make sure you harvest the peonies before they bloom when the heads are only slightly loosened. Next, cut them at least 16" long before removing any leaves, dirt, or insects.
Blot your stems and flower heads dry with a paper towel. Then, wrap the flowers snugly with 20" wide plastic wrap, securing the stem, and place them in a resealable plastic bag.
Store your sealed peonies horizontally in the fridge for weeks or months. Just be sure not to stack anything on top of them as it will cause them to decay faster.
When you’re ready to take your peonies out of storage, make sure to start the process two days in advance. Cut two inches off from the stem, and place them in lukewarm water.
After a day has passed, replace the lukewarm water again and add flower food. Remove any browning petals, and you should have beautiful peonies to put on display.