Are you a fan of beautiful flowers and want to preserve them for long periods? Drying flowers is an excellent way to achieve this goal. Not only does it allow you to keep your flowers for longer, but it also adds a unique touch to your home décor. Additionally, drying your own flowers is an eco-friendly way to reuse and recycle them. In this blog post, we will provide you with a beginner’s guide to drying your own flowers and some easy ways to get started.

Why Dry Flowers?

Drying flowers is a traditional technique that has been used for centuries. The process involves removing moisture from the flowers, which helps to preserve their shape, color, and texture. There are several reasons why you might want to dry your flowers:

To preserve a bouquet of flowers that hold sentimental value, such as a wedding bouquet, anniversary flowers or funeral flowers.

To create your own dried flower arrangements or wreaths

To enjoy the beauty of a flower for a longer period

To reduce waste by reusing and recycling flowers

To save money by not having to buy fresh flowers all the time.

To have a gorgeous item for your flatlays.

How to Dry Flowers

There are several methods of drying flowers, but the most popular techniques are air-drying, pressing, and using desiccants.

Air Drying

Air-drying is the easiest and most inexpensive method of drying flowers. This method works best with flowers that have thin stems, such as daisies, lavender, and baby’s breath. Here’s how to air-dry flowers:

Step 1: Remove any leaves from the stems of your flowers. If the flowers are too big, you can trim the stems to the desired length.

Step 2: Tie the stems of your flowers together using a rubber band or a piece of string. Make sure you don’t tie the flowers too tightly as this can cause them to lose their shape.

Step 3: Hang the flowers upside down in a well-ventilated, dry place, away from direct sunlight. The best place to hang your flowers is in a closet or a room with good air circulation.

Step 4: Leave the flowers to dry for 2-3 weeks until they are completely dry and crisp to the touch.

Pressing

Pressing is a popular technique used to dry flowers. This method is ideal for flowers with flat petals such as pansies, daisies, and violets. Here’s how to press flowers:

Step 1: Place your flowers between two sheets of absorbent paper, such as blotting paper or tissue paper.

Step 2: Place the paper with the flowers in between the pages of a heavy book.

Step 3: Place a weight on top of the book to press the flowers down. You can use a stack of books or a heavy object, such as a brick or a cast-iron skillet.

Step 4: Leave the flowers to press for 2-4 weeks until they are completely dry.

Using Desiccants

Desiccants are materials that absorb moisture, such as silica gel, cornmeal, or sand. Using desiccants is a quick and efficient way to dry flowers. This method works best with flowers that have thick, fleshy petals, such as roses or peonies. Here’s how to use desiccants:

Step 1: Fill a container with your chosen desiccant material, ensuring that it is deep enough to bury your flowers completely.

Step 2: Place your flowers in the container, making sure they are not touching each other.

Step 3: Cover the flowers completely with the desiccant material.

Step 4: Leave the flowers to dry for 2-7 days, depending on the thickness of the petals.

Step 5: Once the flowers are completely dry, carefully remove them from the desiccant material and gently brush off any excess.

Easy Flowers to Dry

Not all flowers are suitable for drying. Some flowers, such as tulips or hydrangeas, do not dry well and tend to wilt or lose their color. However, there are several flowers that are easy to dry and perfect for beginners. Here are some of the best flowers to dry:

Baby’s breath

Lavender

Roses

Chrysanthemums

Eucalyptus

Globe amaranth

Marigolds

Statice

Strawflowers

Yarrow

Tips for Drying Flowers

Choose flowers that are at their peak, just before they start to wilt.

Handle your flowers gently to avoid damaging the petals.

Make sure your flowers are completely dry before storing them.

Store your dried flowers in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.

Use a sealable container to protect your dried flowers from moisture and dust.

Drying your own flowers is a fun and rewarding hobby that can help you create beautiful home decorations and keepsakes. With the right techniques and some patience, anyone can learn how to dry flowers. Remember to choose the right flowers, handle them gently, and give them plenty of time to dry. With a little practice, you’ll be able to create stunning dried flower arrangements that will last for years to come.

What is your favorite flower?

Love, Esther