create / How to Dry Flowers: 4 Simple Ways + Decor Ideas
September 14, 2018
Fromprom corsagesto yourwedding day centerpiece, flowers set the tone for a magical experience and a memorable event. But what do you do with the flowers after a special day has ended? Dry them!
When you dry flowers, you can save all your favorite blooms for as long as you want to keep them. And not only do dried flowers last, but you can also use them to decorate your home. Whether you want to line your mantle with dried roses, create dried flower arrangements to hang in your bedroom or scent your home with potpourri, dried flowers are your answer.
To help you get started, we have a guide that walks you through how to dry flowers four different ways. We’ve also included tables to help you figure out how long to dry the flowers for and inspiration for how to include dried flowers in your home so you too canpreserve rosesand flowers for yourself.
How to Air Dry Flowers
What you’ll need:
Flowers
String
Scissors
Stick or hanger
Step 1:Prepare flowers by removing leaves.
To begin, remove any extra foliage from the flower stems. It’s okay to leave some leaves on the stem if you like the look of greenery, they will dry too.
Step 2:Group flowers and tie them together.
Group flowers as desired and tie the string around the base. If the stems are too long (personal preference), cut to your desired length.
Step 3:Attach the flowers to a stick.
Tie the other end of your string to a stick. Some alternatives to sticks include hangers, driftwood, copper poles or a hook. Regardless of what you choose, make sure it’s sturdy enough to hold flowers for a long period of time.
Step 4:Hang the flowers to dry.
Hang the stick in a location that is out of the way so the delicate flowers won’t get damaged. They should also be hung in a dark environment or a place that gets minimal light. Any direct light will cause the colors to fade.
Step 5:Leave for three to four weeks and display!
Once you hang the flowers, they will do the rest. In three to four weeks they should be completely dry. To keep pristine, spray with unscented hairspray. If you decide to display them as decor, be sure to keep the dried flower wall art in a location that doesn’t get direct light.
How to Dry Flowers in Microwave
What you’ll need:
Flowers
Silica sand
Microwave-safe container
Cup of water
Step 1:Remove leaves and place in container.
Remove any unwanted leaves from the flower and cut so that it fits in the container. Fill the microwave-safe container with a thin layer of silica sand and place flower on top.
Step 2: Cover flower with silica sand.
Cover the flower completely with silica sand. If the flowers are small, you can place multiple in the same container, but be sure they are completely covered in the sand.
Step 3:Microwave in thirty second intervals.
Place the container in the microwave with a cup of water. Heat in microwave in 30 second increments. Check until the flower looks dry. Depending on the density of the flower, this should take two to three minutes.
Step 4:Check flower and then leave in sand for 24 hours.
Once the flower’s petals appear dry, re-bury it and leave for 24 hours. This will ensure that the flower is completely dry.
Step 5:Remove from sand and display!
Remove flower from the silica sand and brush off any extra grains that are stuck to the petals. Spray with unscented hairspray to keep pristine. Put your dried flowers on display in your home or use them as a craft. Similar to air drying, keep out of direct sunlight to prevent the colors from fading.
When drying flowers in the microwave, the time it will take varies depending on the density of the flowers. For these popular flowers, follow the chart for reference:
How to Dry Flowers in Silica Sand
If you have the time and want to ensure that your flowers are preserved in pristine color, you can also leave flowers to dry in the silica sand without putting them in the microwave. This will allow you to use a bigger container that lets you keep the stems long. Simply place flowers in the container and cover with silica sand. Follow the table below to find how many days they should remain covered for.
How to Dry Flowers in a Flower Press
Another common method of drying flowers is by pressing them. You can press flowers flowers four different ways, depending what you have available and how much time you have. The four ways include pressing flowers with a book, a flower press, an iron and the microwave. Intrigued? Check out the step-by-step ofhow to press flowers.
Dried Flower Inspiration
Once you’ve dried your flowers, you can put them on display. The beauty of this craft is that it will last for months. We’ve rounded up creative ways that people have used dried flowers to give you inspiration.
Inspired to create dried flower decor? Check out ourmixed flower bouquetsto find a variety of blooms that you can repurpose after you’ve enjoyed their fresh floral scents.
