The present invention is directed to a composition adapted to be applied to coat a surface area of a vegetable in order to retard environmental degradation thereof. The composition comprises a film-former, a fungicide and a thickener distributed in a carrier liquid. The fungicide may be present in less than one percent (1%) by weight. The composition may include a pH buffer operative to maintain the pH of the mixture between 8.5-10.5. The film-former is operative to coalesce to form a film covering the surface area of the vegetable which is operative to retard dehydration thereof. The fungicide is entrapped throughout the film and is operative to inhibit mildew and fungus growth thereon. The present invention also provides a method of formulating a composition according to the present invention, as well as a method of protecting a decorative vegetable material using a composition according to the present invention.