How to Make Obon Flowers Last Longer: Maintenance Tips from a Pro
Jul 16, 2026
How to Make Your Obon Flowers Last Longer: Maintenance Tips from the Pros
During Obon, we adorn our homes with flowers to welcome our ancestors.
Because you've carefully chosen these flowers, you might be thinking, "I want them to last as long as possible" or "I'm worried they'll wilt quickly."
The Obon season, especially in summer, is hot and humid, making flowers susceptible to damage.
However, with a few maintenance tips, you can keep your Obon flowers beautiful for longer.
In this article, we, professional florists, will share our secrets for making Obon flowers last. After reading this, you should be able to display your flowers for an extended period.
Why Do Obon Flowers Wilt Easily? Understanding the Main Causes
Have you ever felt frustrated when your Obon flowers wilt too quickly?
There are actually several clear reasons why Obon flowers don't last long.
Knowing these will help you perform effective maintenance.
High Temperatures
It's not uncommon for Obon to fall during scorching hot days.
Especially since the Reiwa era, temperatures often exceed 35 degrees Celsius.
High temperatures increase flower transpiration, causing them to lose moisture.
They can quickly become limp even if they're deprived of water for a short time.
Bacterial Growth
Water in vases and floral foam tends to breed bacteria and other microorganisms over time.
High temperatures are particularly conducive to bacterial growth. Just like food spoils quickly if left in the living room during summer, the same applies to flowers.
When these bacteria enter the cut stems of flowers, they can clog the water-conducting vessels or cause the stems to rot.
As a result, flowers can't absorb enough water and wilt faster.
Effects of Ethylene Gas
It might be surprising, but ethylene gas released from ripe fruits can accelerate the aging of flowers.
As fruits are often displayed as offerings during Obon, they can sometimes cause flowers to wilt.
It might be good to keep this in mind.
Pros' Tips! The ABCs of Making Your Obon Flowers Last Longer
Now, let's go step-by-step through specific maintenance methods to keep your Obon flowers beautiful for a long time.
Mastering these basics will surely make your flowers respond well.
Checkpoints When Purchasing Flowers from a Florist
The first step to making flowers last longer is, above all, to "choose fresh flowers."
When purchasing from a store, check the following points:
Are the cut ends of the stems discolored?
Fresh stems have white, moist cut ends.
Avoid those that are blackened or slimy.
Are the petals firm? Is there any damage?
Choose flowers with firm, crisp petals.
Those with damage or discoloration are likely to wilt quickly.
Are the leaves vibrant?
Check that the leaves are firm, not yellowed, and not wilted.
The health of the leaves indicates the overall freshness of the flower.
What to Do Immediately When Flowers Arrive Home
When you receive a bouquet from an online shop or bring home flowers purchased from a store, it's a good idea to perform some maintenance before displaying them.
Especially in summer, perform "mizukiri" (re-cutting stems underwater).
In summer, no matter how careful you are, flowers tend to weaken.
However, performing "mizukiri" to maximize the flower's ability to absorb water can keep them quite vibrant and long-lasting even in summer.
Mizukiri is for bouquets; it's not necessary for floral arrangements.
・Tip 1: Use clean scissors
To prevent bacterial growth, disinfect your scissors with alcohol or a similar agent.
It's even better to buy dedicated flower-cutting scissors from a home center.
・Tip 2: Cut stems diagonally underwater
Fill a deep bucket or bowl with water and cut the tips of the stems diagonally by 2-3 cm underwater.
This prevents air from entering the cut surface and increases the area for water absorption.
・Tip 3: Use water absorption promoters or flower food
Flower food contains nutrients for flowers and ingredients that inhibit bacterial growth in water.
After mizukiri, soaking the flowers in water mixed with flower food for a while will be even more effective.
When you buy bouquets or floral arrangements from online shops, they often come with these as a bonus.
Preparing Your Obon Bouquet Before Placing it in a Vase
Remove damaged parts of stems and leaves before displaying.
Also, remove any leaves that will be submerged in the vase water.
Submerged leaves will rot, becoming a breeding ground for bacteria and hindering water absorption.
Additionally, too many leaves can increase water transpiration, causing the flowers to wilt faster, so be careful.
Especially in summer, when high temperatures quickly weaken flowers, it's good to be aggressive in removing these parts.
Dirty vases can also weaken flowers...
Keeping your vase consistently clean is crucial for making flowers last.
It's best to wash it thoroughly with detergent before placing the bouquet inside.
Especially during Obon, you'll likely use the same vase for a while, so make sure to clean it carefully.
Ideally, washing it with a small amount of diluted chlorine bleach can strongly suppress bacterial growth.
A little thought about where you display them can help.
The placement of your flowers significantly impacts their longevity.
・In summer, display them in a place out of direct sunlight!
Flowers dislike direct sunlight. Heat quickly weakens them.
If there's a sunny spot in front of your Buddhist altar, it's best to avoid placing flowers there.
Bacterial growth also accelerates in sunlight, so be very careful.
・Avoid placing them directly under air conditioner drafts!
In summer, we often use air conditioners to prevent heatstroke.
Direct drafts from air conditioners can cause dryness and sudden temperature changes, stressing the flowers.
・Keep them a little away from fruits.
As mentioned earlier, ethylene gas emitted from fruits, such as Obon offerings, accelerates the aging of flowers.
Even a small distance can sometimes help them last longer.
There are many things to be mindful of with Obon flowers!
Daily Maintenance Tips for Obon: Secrets to Even Longer Beauty?
Even after displaying your Obon offering bouquets or arrangements, a little daily care can make them last surprisingly longer.
Summer Water Change Frequency and Method (for Bouquets)
Although not limited to summer, this is the most basic and important maintenance for making flowers last.
In summer, change water daily, or even twice a day!
During the hot and humid Obon season, water gets dirty easily and bacteria proliferate, making frequent water changes essential.
Wash the vase every other day!
In addition to changing the water, wash away any slime adhering to the inside of the vase and gently rinse any slime from the flower stems.
This prevents bacterial growth and keeps flowers vibrant for longer.
For offering arrangements, replenish water daily!
In summer, the moisture in floral foam dries out quickly.
Once floral foam dries out, it doesn't absorb water well, so be careful.
Using flower food/preservatives is also good.
Flower food and preservatives, beloved by professionals, are powerful allies in extending the life of your flowers.
What are the benefits of using them?
Flower food and preservatives contain nutrients (sugars) that flowers need, as well as ingredients that inhibit bacterial growth in water.
Using these allows flowers to efficiently absorb nutrients from the water and prevents decay.
When you purchase from online shops, they often come as an extra, so be sure to use them.
For bouquets, place them in a vase; for arrangements, replenish water mixed with flower food using a watering can.
Of course, you can also add it directly to the floral foam.
Remove dead flowers and leaves.
In summer, leaving dead parts is strictly prohibited!
If wilted or dead petals and leaves are left as they are, they become a breeding ground for bacteria.
Additionally, dead flowers also release ethylene gas, which can weaken other healthy flowers.
Especially in summer, flowers can quickly suffer from dampness, so make sure to inspect your Obon offering bouquets and arrangements daily.
Summary
To make your Obon flowers last longer, daily careful water changes and the use of flower food are extremely important.
By implementing these professional maintenance methods, you can beautifully display flowers, chosen with gratitude for your ancestors, for a longer time.
&YOUKAEN offers various Obon offering flowers. Our professional florists meticulously handle each flower, perform "mizukiri," and use only the freshest flowers for their creations.
Our special floral gifts are chosen for home offerings and as gifts for loved ones.
They are renowned for lasting longer than those from other florists, so please consider &YOUKAEN's flowers for Obon.
