Viagra, the popular name for Sildenafil, which has been for years an across-the-board drug for males with erectile dysfunction, can make others stand up and last longer—now trending on TikTok two days to Valentine’s Day.
According to Insider, the pill, an artificial compound originally synthesized and studied to treat hypertension, can make cut flowers stand up and last a week longer than they would otherwise.
Scientists have known since 1999 that Viagra can extend the lifespan of cut flowers, but this fun fact recently surprised some TikTok users.
Angelika Koch, an author and TikToker who goes by angelikaisanerd, posted a video explaining that just 1mg of Viagra can make two full of flowers last a week longer as compared to 50 mg for an adult male.
This has been described by some as an effective flower power.
In a video which went with the material, Koch said: “Viagra can make flowers and men stand up straight.”
Viagra tablet contains the following inactive ingredients: microcrystalline cellulose, anhydrous dibasic calcium phosphate, croscarmellose sodium, magnesium stearate, hypromellose, titanium dioxide, lactose, triacetin, and FD & C Blue #2 aluminum lake.
This flower hack, says Insider, works because wilting and erectile dysfunction involve the same enzyme. Viagra slows the breakdown of that enzyme, allowing blood vessels — or the vascular tissue of plants — to stay open for longer.