Abstract: A means of preserving cut flowers placed in water, said means comprising one or more bactericidal substances, with the possible additions of one or more bacteriostatic substances, one or more surfactants, and/or one or more nutritious substances. The bactericidal substance may be 1.3-dichloro-5.5-dimethylhydantoin which splits off chlorine in relation to the pH-value of the aqueous solution. Said derivative forms part of a thin coating applied to the front surface of a strip of paper or cardboard which is very small in relation to the length of the stems of the flowers. A layer of non- (or very little) water-soluble self-adhesive substance is applied to the back surface of the strip, the substance being tolerable by the stems of flowers. The consumer can easily fasten the strip unit close to the lower end of the stem before placing the latter in water. The strip unit is easily dispensible from a protective container.