How to Choose Beautiful Peach Blossom Trees and Branches for Your Home

To select the right peach blossom tree or branch for your home during the Lunar New Year, the first thing you need to consider is the available space and display location. Assessing the size of your living room, the altar area, or any corner where you plan to place the peach blossoms will help you choose branches that match your home’s layout and aesthetics.

When visiting a peach garden to buy a tree, take a step back and look at the entire tree before making a decision. Choose healthy trees with dense foliage, plenty of buds, and rough, sturdy trunks—these often produce thicker, more vibrant blossoms. Peach flowers that bloom directly on a tree tend to last longer than those on cut branches, so prioritize trees with large, well-formed buds to ensure that the flowers open beautifully at the right moment for Tết.

If you prefer to buy branches rather than whole trees, the selection process becomes simpler. Look for branches with a rounded canopy and evenly distributed smaller stems, as these will create a fuller and more attractive look once the flowers bloom. Additionally, choose mature, firm branches with a natural dark-brown or ivory-brown color. Avoid branches with damaged or cracked bases, as these will not last long once placed in water.

How to Keep Peach Blossoms Fresh for Longer

Selecting a beautiful branch is one thing—keeping it fresh throughout the holiday is another challenge. To maintain the longevity and vibrancy of your peach blossoms, follow these tips:

For Peach Branches

Start by thoroughly cleaning the vase you plan to use. A clean vase prevents bacterial growth that can block the branch’s ability to absorb water. After cleaning, fill the vase with fresh, clean water.

These two simple steps alone already help your peach blossoms stay bright and fresh during the festive days.

To prolong their life, place the vase in a cool, well-ventilated area. Avoid locations exposed to direct sunlight, heat sources like stoves or electric appliances, or strong drafts that can cause buds to fall off prematurely.

Furthermore, change the water every 2–3 days. Each time you replace the water, rinse the submerged part of the branch to remove slime or residue. You can also add a few vitamin B1 tablets to the water to stimulate the branch’s ability to absorb nutrients, helping the flowers stay vibrant for longer. Some people also add a small amount of potassium fertilizer, which can nourish the branch and maintain the color and shape of the blossoms.

For Peach Blossom Trees

To keep a potted peach tree fresh, water it regularly but sparingly—peach trees prefer slightly dry soil, so overwatering can cause premature wilting.

Place the tree in a dry, breezy spot away from direct sunlight and strong winds. Excessive heat or strong airflow can cause buds to dry up or fall, reducing the tree’s overall beauty.

How to Control Peach Blossom Blooming Time

Warm weather causes peach blossoms to open more quickly. To slow down the blooming process, gently score the bark around the trunk about 10–15 cm above the base. This limits the flow of nutrients upward, delaying the flowers from opening. Using cold water for cut branches also helps slow down blooming.

For peach trees, spreading a thin layer of pebbles around the base helps keep the roots cool, slowing the blooming process naturally. Placing the tree on a breezy balcony can also help regulate its temperature.

If you want the flowers to bloom faster, use warm water instead of cold water for cut branches. For peach trees, applying a thin layer of lime around the base can stimulate blooming, causing flowers to open within just a few days.

Should You Burn the Base of Peach Branches?

The short answer is no. Burning the base of a peach branch is an old folk practice that can actually shorten the branch’s lifespan.

When the cut end is burned, the tissues responsible for absorbing water and nutrients become damaged. This prevents the branch from taking in the moisture it needs, leading to faster wilting and quicker flower drop.

Traditionally, people believed burning the base helped disinfect the branch, kill fungi, prevent sap leakage, and keep the vase water clean. While this method may offer some benefits, excessive burning seals the vascular tissues, blocking water flow entirely.

If you truly wish to use this method, only expose the cut end to the flame briefly—just enough to dry the surface of the cut. Over-burning can severely damage the branch and drastically shorten its lifespan.