Learning how to keep flowers fresh in a vase can really be as simple as picking the right vase. 

Seriously. 

I’m pretty good about changing the water in my flower vases. I know how much of a difference clean water can make to the life of cut flowers. 

But there are days when the water evaporates faster than usual or the flowers take in more water than usual. 

Sometimes that’s because the flowers are fresh from the store and when you give them the nutrients they crave, they will drink it in fast and really perk up.

But other times it’s several days after I brought the flowers home and the water level suddenly drops. That’s usually from evaporation. 

Just like when a pot of the stove boils dry, the water in a flower vase can suddenly evaporate faster. 

In scientific terms, natural evaporation of water occurs when water molecules in liquid form absorb energy from their surroundings, become vapor, and rise into the atmosphere. This process of water vaporizing into the air is part of the water cycle and is the most important factor in the global climate.

The rate at which water evaporates is determined by the weather conditions in which it is located.

But a better way of explaining it is higher temperatures, more direct sunlight, and lower humidity all contribute to higher rates of evaporation.

When temperatures are higher, the molecules of water absorb more energy from the environment. This energy is converted into kinetic energy, which causes the molecules to dance apart and escape into vapor form. This vaporization is the first step in natural evaporation. In addition to higher temperatures, more direct sunlight also increases the rate of evaporation.

Lower relative humidity also contributes to faster evaporation. Relative humidity is the proportion of  water vapor in the air to the amount of water vapor that can be held in the air at a given temperature.  When the relative humidity is low, there is less water vapor in the air, making it easier for water molecules to escape into vapor form. The combination of higher temperatures, more direct sunlight, and lower relative humidity all contribute to faster natural evaporation of water. This process is essential for maintaining the global climate and water cycle, and is a necessary component of life on earth.

But when it comes to flowers in a vase, all this evaporation can make your flowers run out of water. And if you didn’t chose a clear vase, you might not even notice!

That pretty vase can hold a deadly secret: no water. 

This has happened to me on more than one occasion: a vase that should have water was bone dry.  And my flowers paid the price. 

So now I only use clear vases. It’s just one more way how to keep flowers fresh in a vase as long as possible!