Potatoes Are The Hack Your Floral Arrangements Need Desperately - Tasting Table

"When you use this potato hack for floral arrangements, your flowers may actually stay fresh longer. Potatoes are moisture-rich, protect stems from air, and provide necessary hydration to the flowers and plants. They are a stable base for arrangements of any complexity. However, they work best with plants that have sturdier or heartier stems. Plants with long, delicate stems may not stand up as well with a potato base, though you might be able to make it work with some patience."

"You don't need to worry much about specific potato characteristics when choosing which type of potato to use in place of floral foam. All you need to do is poke holes in the potato that are deep enough that the stems will support the weight of the flowers without bending or breaking. Once you have placed your flowers in the holes, put the potato in a vase or container."

Potatoes function as an inexpensive, readily available, and sustainable base for floral arrangements, offering an alternative to manufactured floral foam. Floral foam is produced from water-absorbent plastics like phenolic foam, relies on synthetic petrochemicals and toxic chemicals such as phenol and formaldehyde, and contributes to microplastic pollution. Potatoes are moisture-rich, protect stems from air, and supply hydration that can help flowers stay fresh longer. Potatoes create a stable base suitable for complex arrangements but perform best with sturdier or heartier stems. To use a potato base, carve deep holes with a knife or tools like a Phillips-head screwdriver, ice pick, or awl, place stems into the holes, set the potato in a vase or container, and conceal it with leaves, moss, or flat glass marbles.

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