My Best Tip for Storing Fresh Flowers

5 Comments
Edible Flowers stored in Jars

If you’ve read my books or attended my presentations, you’ve probably heard this one by now. This method of storing freshly harvested, edible blossoms over the short term is a miracle worker and has completely altered my ability to keep and use them more effectively.

When left in a paper bag or regular plastic container, fresh blooms such as squash blossoms and nasturtiums will wilt faster than you can use them. I used to be incredibly frustrated by this loss. Then one day, simply by chance, I put them into a glass Weck Jar that has a glass lid and placed that jar in the fridge. Low and behold, they lasted. And lasted, and lasted. Up to a week or even longer in some cases. Eventually they will rot or go mouldy so it is important to check regularly and remove any that have started to go off. It is critical that it be a jar with a glass lid. Plastic or metal lids will not work.

I have since found that many edible flowers can be stored fresh in this way: squash blossoms, nasturtiums, daylilies, dianthus, pansies and violas, roses, and more. I’ve experimented by placing a small square of moist paper towel or cloth in the bottom of the jar, but that doesn’t seem to matter.

This method can also be used to keep some herbs fresh; however, I prefer it for blossoms.

Gayla Trail
Gayla is a writer, photographer, and former graphic designer with a background in the Fine Arts, cultural criticism, and ecology. She is the author, photographer, and designer of best-selling books on gardening, cooking, and preserving.

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5 thoughts on “My Best Tip for Storing Fresh Flowers”

  1. Such a great tip! I’m going to have to try this. With all pervious storage methods I’ve tried squash blossoms seem to get gross if I don’t use them the same day. And making four stuffed squash blossoms (usually the max I can harvest in one day) isn’t quite worth the effort.

  2. Oh my goodness I am in love… With your blog!!! Thank you for posting…. Always acquire flowers that look with nice condition and still have a seven evening assurance. Thanks a lot again for sharing such helpful ideas.

  3. and its so pretty in the fridge too … love that this gives choices as to when to make & eat the squash blossoms. When I come home with my hauls, I’m usually not totally up for a marathon blossom-preparing+eating evening. It’s these little things that are so huge. Thanks Gayla!

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