How to Preserve Berries for Floral Arrangements

There are many wild berries commonly used in floral displays. Florists often choose berries based upon availability and color, but not always by how long they will last. It is important to consider if the berries you want to use are toxic. Many berries can make humans and animals sick if eaten. It is best to choose nontoxic berries. However, placing floral displays out of reach of people and animals and disposing of the display properly will reduce risk. It also helps (especially when giving as gifts) to include a warning note card with your floral display if the berries are likely to cause illness if ingested.

The duration will depend on the type of berry, how fresh they are, and how well they were kept before being used in your floral display. Your display can keep a fresh look if you check periodically for older berries and remove them. Watch for signs of rot, like dark or soft spots, an odor, or flies and other insects.

One alternative to spray preservative is to wash gently and pat dry with a soft cloth, then thinly coat them with petroleum jelly. This is not a truly "organic" method, but you won't inhale spray particulate. Beeswax can be melted and then poured onto some berries to coat them with a natural preservative, but this would likely harm edible juicy berries, like blackberry or raspberry.