Which home products have been shown to extend the life of cut flowers when added to water?

Which home products have been shown to extend the life of cut flowers when added to water?

• A. Vinegar and Olive Oil
• B. Mouthwash and Lemon Lime Soda
• C. Salt and Sugar
• D. Baking Soda and Water

Answer: (B)

Extending vase life comes down to two things: keeping the water clean and giving the cut stems a little nourishment. Bacteria in vase water can clog the xylem and block water uptake, causing flowers to droop faster. The combination of mouthwash and lemon-lime soda works well because the mouthwash adds antiseptic properties that help suppress bacteria in the water, keeping the solution more hospitable for water flow. The lemon-lime soda provides a sugar source for the flowers, giving them energy as they stay in the vase. The acidity from the soda also helps prevent some bacterial growth, without the heaviness of oils or salts that can interfere with uptake. Together, they address both cleanliness and nourishment, which is why this option best supports extending cut flower life. The other pairings either introduce substances that can clog stems (like oils), alter the water balance in ways that aren’t helpful (high salt or alkaline conditions), or lack an antiseptic component to curb bacterial buildup.

Extending vase life comes down to two things: keeping the water clean and giving the cut stems a little nourishment. Bacteria in vase water can clog the xylem and block water uptake, causing flowers to droop faster. The combination of mouthwash and lemon-lime soda works well because the mouthwash adds antiseptic properties that help suppress bacteria in the water, keeping the solution more hospitable for water flow. The lemon-lime soda provides a sugar source for the flowers, giving them energy as they stay in the vase. The acidity from the soda also helps prevent some bacterial growth, without the heaviness of oils or salts that can interfere with uptake. Together, they address both cleanliness and nourishment, which is why this option best supports extending cut flower life. The other pairings either introduce substances that can clog stems (like oils), alter the water balance in ways that aren’t helpful (high salt or alkaline conditions), or lack an antiseptic component to curb bacterial buildup.