Whether they’re roses from your other half or a “thought you could do with a bit of cheering up” delivery from a friend, there’s nothing sadder than watching a gorgeous bunch of flowers wilt away on the windowsill. Luckily though, you don’t have to chuck them away after a week or so, as drying your flowers is actually pretty simple.
From good old-fashioned air drying to using silica gel, we’ll take you through some easy ways to preserve your flowers so you can keep them looking lovely for much longer. Let’s dive straight into it!
How to dry flowers: three simple ways
There are a few different ways to dry flowers, and the method you choose will depend on the type of flowers you have and how you’d like them to look. Here are some of the easiest methods to try at home.
Air drying
If you’re after the easiest method, air drying is probably your best bet. You’ll just need your flowers, some string or rubber bands, and a suitable place to hang them.
- Start by choosing the flowers you want to dry. Ideally, they’ll be fresh and have only just bloomed. Cut the stems to your desired length and pull off all the leaves (removing foliage helps prevent rotting as they’re drying).
- Group your flowers into small bunches of 3-6 stems and wrap these tightly at the base using string or a rubber band.
- Hang your bunches upside down in a dark, well-ventilated place (like an attic or cupboard). Make sure they’re spaced a few inches apart.
- Leave your flowers for 2-3 weeks until they have completely dried out. You’ll know they are ready when the petals feel dry and crisp.
- Be gentle when you take them down, then spray them with unscented hairspray to help them keep their shape.
Microwave drying
While the microwave might not be the first thing that comes to mind if you’re wondering how to preserve flowers, it can actually be surprisingly effective. Here’s what you’ll need to do:
- Remove any excess foliage from your flowers and cut them to size.
- If you have different types of flowers, it’s best to separate them into batches, as they can take different amounts of time to dry.
- Put a layer of silica gel in the bottom of a microwave-safe container then place our flowers on top. Cover them with more gel.
- Heat them in short bursts (10-30-second intervals), checking them frequently to prevent burning.
- Let the flowers dry and cool (this can take a while since silica gel can get very hot, so take care handling the container). Finally, brush away the gel.
Silica gel
If you’re looking for an alternative to air drying or using your microwave, using silica gel by itself is another easy option. Follow these five simple steps for perfectly dried blooms!
- Prepare your flowers by removing any unwanted leaves and trimming your stems to the size you want.
- Find an appropriate-sized container and pour a layer of silica gel into the bottom of it.
- Carefully place your flowers on top, and pour in another layer of gel so they are covered.
- Seal the container with a lid and leave for 3-7 days until fully dry.
- Once they’re ready, gently lift your flowers out and brush away any gel.
What are the best flowers for drying?
Now that you’re basically a flower-drying expert, what are some of the best flowers to dry? Some naturally lend themselves to drying better than others, including:
- Roses
- Lavender
- Hydrangeas
- Baby’s breath
- Poppies
- Strawflower
- Larkspurs
- Delphinium
How long do dried flowers last?
While it all depends on the type of flower you’re drying, they can last anywhere between 1-3 years with the right care! Of course, they won’t look exactly the same as time goes on, and you’ll probably notice that colours start to fade and petals become more delicate. Strawflowers, roses, and baby’s breath are among the longest-lasting options, so they’re a great choice if you want your blooms to stick around that little bit longer.
How to store dried flowers
Knowing how to store your dried flowers can make a big difference to how long they last too. For bouquets that you’re displaying, it’s important to choose a dry spot away from direct sunlight. Or if you’ve been drying flowers for future craft projects, we recommend popping them in an airtight container once you’re sure they’re completely dry. You can even place sheets of tissue paper in-between more delicate petals to prevent them from tearing.
The most important thing is to make sure your flowers are kept somewhere cool and dry, as this will help keep them looking their best for as long as possible.
What should I do with my dried flowers?
Now that you’ve got your lovely flowers preserved, what’s next? Well, there are plenty of ways to display them, craft with them, or just enjoy them for a little bit longer:
- Decorate your home: Add them to vases or press your flowers and slot them into picture frames.
- Give them away: Use individual petals or tiny flowers to add a personal touch to cards and gift tags.
- Make a keepsake: Add petals to cast resin to make coasters or trinket dishes (this can be a particularly nice wedding bouquet keepsake).
- Make a bookmark: Press smaller flowers between sheets of laminate, punch a hole and add a ribbon!
- Create a pretty wreath: Create a floral wreath by attaching whole dried stems to a metal hoop and securing them with twine.
- Make your own potpourri: Mix crushed petals with a few drops of essential oil and create a bowl of potpourri.
- Add them to confetti: Make confetti for weddings and other celebrations!
And there you have it, a variety of different ways to dry, preserve and make the most of your favourite flowers. If you’re looking to send a bunch to brighten someone’s day, don’t forget to have a little look at our plant and flower gifts. From vibrant Alstroemeria bouquets to pastel pink roses, there’s plenty to choose from. You could even send them a flower card and jot down a few tips on making their blooms last even longer.
Finally, if you fancy some more flower-related reading, we’ve got plenty more fun insights for you to discover here at thortful. You can learn about how to keep flowers fresh and even what your favourite flower says about you!
