Tips to make flowers last longer

Real Simple tested common strategies―a drop of bleach, a penny, and so on―for lengthening the life of the tulip to find out what really works. Photo: Alexandra Rowley An Aspirin The theory: Increases the acidity of the water, helping it move up the stem. Day 1: One 325-milligram Bayer coated tablet is dropped into the water. Day 4: Drooping and sad, these tulips don't look as if they'll last much longer. Another tablet goes in the water. Day 7: Yikes! More than half the petals have fallen off. The verdict: Painful. An aspirin a day may keep the doctor away, but not the florist.

Photo: Alexandra Rowley Listerine Antiseptic The theory: Kills bacteria the way it kills plaque and halitosis. Day 1: A capful ofmouthwash is poured into the water. Day 4: The stems are mostly upright and the tulips are beginning to open. Day 7: This wild bunch seems to be heading in every possible direction. The verdict: Not much to smile about.

Photo: Alexandra Rowley A Penny The theory: The copper can act as a natural antibacterial agent. Day 1: A penny is added to the water. Day 4: The flowers open and look a little droopy, but the dark tangerine color is still strong. Day 7: The stems are heading in every possible direction, but the blooms have opened up in a fairly regular pattern. The verdict: The flowers were slow to bloom, bloomed beautifully, then withered quickly.

Photo: Alexandra Rowley Bleach The theory: Prevents mold, which can kill flowers. Day 1: A capful of bleach is added to the water. Day 4: The stems are almost completely white. But the vibrant tangerine tulips are still erect. Day 7: Still no mold, but the stems are now entirely white, and―like a white T-shirt that has soaked in bleach too long―the petals are yellowing. The verdict: It's a wash. The flowers stand tall, but their color doesn't.

Photo: Alexandra Rowley Fresh Water The theory: Clean water will contain fewer bacteria. Day 1: The ends are snipped by about 1/4 inch, as they will be every day. The vase gets fresh water every day, too. Day 4: The stems are still relatively upright, and the blooms remain healthy. Day 7: A few blooms are ready to be discarded, but with a little rearranging, the bouquet has life in it yet. The verdict: Opened beautifully, but the petals dropped like flies after Day 4.

Photo: Alexandra Rowley Sugar The theory: Duplicates the sugar rush that occurs during photosynthesis. It can, however, promote bacterial growth. Day 1: One teaspoon of sugar is added to the water. Day 4: Except for one limp stem, things look pretty good. One more packet of sugar gets poured into the water. Day 7: The flowers have burst open, and the petals are beginning to curl. The verdict: Uneven blooming and splayed stems, but the flowers are mostly intact.

Photo: Alexandra Rowley Flower Food The theory: Contains a biocide to kill bacteria, an acidifier to help stems drink water, and a sugar to nourish the blooms. Day 1: One tablespoon from a packet is mixed into the water. Day 4: Has sucked up more water than any other bouquet. Opening so beautifully that another tablespoon of the flower food isn't added until Day 5. Day 7: The full bouquet has a soft, dramatic droop and, though fading fast, still gets Best in Show. The verdict: The winner of the bunch. (Flower food is available at florist shops.)