How to Dry Flowers: A Simple Guide
There’s something magical about preserving flowers and keeping nature’s beauty after the petals have fallen. Whether you want to save a special bouquet or add a rustic touch to your home decor, drying flowers is an easy and rewarding project. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you preserve your favourite blooms.
Why Dry Flowers?
Dried flowers are a lovely way to bring nature into your home. They can hold sentimental value—like drying wedding flowers or a bouquet from a special occasion—or simply add an organic texture to your home. Plus, dried flowers can last for years with minimal maintenance, making them a great option for sustainable decor.
How to Dry Flowers:
Air Drying - the Classic Method:
The most common way to dry flowers is air drying, which keeps the shape and color of the flowers relatively intact. This method works best for flowers with sturdy stems and petals, such as roses, lavender, and baby’s breath:
Pick your flowers: Harvest flowers when they’re fresh and in full bloom. The fresher they are, the better they’ll dry.
Prepare the stems: Remove excess foliage from the stems. Group flowers in small bunches, securing the stems with string or rubber bands.
Hang them upside down: Find a dry, dark place like a closet or pantry to hang your flowers upside down. This prevents dust and helps the flowers retain their color.
Wait: Let the flowers dry for 2-3 weeks, depending on the type of flower and the humidity in the room.
Ready to use: Once the flowers feel crisp and dry, they’re ready to be used in bouquets, wreaths, or displayed as they are.
Pressing:
Pressing flowers is a simple technique that works best for smaller, delicate blooms like pansies, daisies, or ferns. This method is ideal for creating framed art, cards, or bookmarks.
Select fresh flowers: Choose flowers with thin petals and minimal bulk for the best results.
Place them in a book: Lay the flowers flat between sheets of parchment or wax paper, then place them inside a heavy book. You can add more weight on top to press them firmly.
Wait and dry: After 2-3 weeks, carefully check if the flowers are fully dry and paper-like.
Display or craft: Pressed flowers can be used in a variety of DIY projects, from wall art to personalized gifts.
Microwave Drying:
If you’re in a hurry, the microwave can speed up the drying process, though it requires a bit more attention. This method is great for people who want to preserve flowers quickly for crafts or decor.
Prep the flowers: Place the flowers between two ceramic plates or microwave-safe containers with a layer of silica gel.
Microwave: Heat the flowers for 1-2 minutes on low, checking them frequently to avoid overheating.
Cool and check: After cooling, remove the flowers and see if they’re fully dry. If needed, repeat the process for a few more seconds.
Use immediately: This method works best for short-term use or quick DIY projects.
Silica Gel (Best for Colour Preservation):
Using silica gel helps retain the colour of the flowers more effectively than air drying. It’s particularly great for more delicate or vibrant flowers like dahlias and peonies.
Get silica gel: You can find silica gel at craft stores or online. Place a layer of the gel in a container.
Bury the flowers: Place the flowers in the gel and gently pour more silica gel on top until they are completely covered.
Seal and wait: Seal the container and leave it for 1-2 weeks.
Remove the flowers: Once the flowers are dry, gently remove the silica gel and brush off any excess. The flowers should look bright and almost as fresh as when you started.
Tips for Drying Flowers
Pick the right time: Harvest flowers in the morning, after the dew has dried but before the heat of the day causes them to wilt.
Consider the color: Some flowers will fade as they dry, but hanging them in a dark place can help preserve their color better.
Handle with care: Dried flowers are fragile, so be gentle when handling or arranging them.
What to do with Dried Flowers
Once your flowers are dried, the creative possibilities are endless! You can:
Make a dried flower bouquet for long-lasting home decor.
Craft a wreath for your door with dried blooms and foliage.
Add dried flowers to gift wrapping for a beautiful, natural touch.
Create framed art by arranging pressed flowers in a frame.
Drying flowers is a rewarding process that lets you hold onto the beauty of nature for a longer period of time. With a little patience and creativity, you can turn fresh flowers into timeless pieces of decor, perfect for any season.
Get in contact if you would like to discuss how to introduce dried flowers into your home decor.
