Great Ways To Dry Flowers To Keep Them Beautiful

Some flowers are so beautiful, you probably wish they would last forever. While no flowers stay fresh forever, there are several ways to preserve blossoms so they stay beautiful for months or even years. Drying flowers is a popular and effective way to keep your blossoms beautiful for many months after their prime. The key is knowing the best methods for drying flowers to ensure they keep their shape and color for as long as possible.

The most common method of drying flowers is to air dry them. Hang them in small bunches or individually in a cool, dark, dry, and well-ventilated space. Don’t rush the drying process, as it can take several weeks, or longer, depending on your climate. You can also use a dehydrator, an oven, or a microwave oven to dry flowers. To dry flowers fast and preserve color effectively, cover them in silica gel.

If you have flowers you want to preserve for a long time, then you should dry them. Dried flowers can last for many months, and if you use the right methods, they can look almost as beautiful as when they were fresh. Below is a list of top tips to remember when drying flowers, as well as the best methods to try when attempting to dry flowers yourself.

Five Top Ways To Dry Flowers Like A Pro

1. Air-Dry Flowers

Hanging plants upside down in the open air is a method that has been used for centuries to dry all sorts of plants, and flowers are no exception. When air-drying flowers, as opposed to drying herbs, it’s important to take a few extra precautions.

Be sure to dry flowers in small bunches, and choose a cool and dry place. Flowers tend to maintain their colors better when they are under minimal straight. Sunlight, heat, and humidity add to strain and can cause more brown than you might want.

Simply hang your flowers upside down on a hook or a designated line, and wait until they are completely dried out.

2. Use The Oven To Dry Flowers

If you live somewhere with a lot of humidity or want faster results, you can dry flowers in your oven. To dry flowers in your oven, you need a baking sheet, parchment paper, and a few hours of spare time in the kitchen.

First, turn your oven on to its lowest setting. Next, place clean flowers carefully on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Be careful not to overlap the flowers. Give them plenty of space to release their moisture.

Once you put the baking sheet of flowers in the oven, keep the oven door cracked open a bit. This will help release the moisture in the flowers. This process can take anywhere from one to 10 hours, depending on the type of flowers and how dry you want them to be during this process.

Keep in mind this process is fast, but it can result in less colorful final results, especially if you rush the process.

3. Put Flowers In A Dehydrator 

If you are a big fan of kitchen gadgets, then your desire for dry flowers is the perfect excuse to break out your dehydrator. Dehydrators work similarly to ovens when it comes to drying flowers, and tend to require less constant attention.

Turn your dehydrator on its lowest setting for the best and most colorful results. When placing flowers in the machine, remember to give your flowers plenty of space. Place the largest blossoms closest to the fan, as they will likely require the most drying time.

4. Use Silica Gel To Dry Flowers

If you want to allow flowers to dry on their own without machines but want some help speeding up the process, then use silica gel. Find a container large enough to hold several flower stems.

Next, lightly pour silica gel around the stems. Be careful to keep the petals intact while covering them with silica. This process will dry your flowers in as quickly as two to seven days. It is also one of the best ways to preserve the color of your blossoms.

5. Microwave Flowers

If you are in a rush and need a quick way to dry flowers, then you’ll be happy to know you can use your microwave oven to dry flowers. To microwave your flowers, make sure you space them out and place them on a clean plate.

At 50% power, microwave your plate of fresh blooms at 30-second intervals. Repeat this process until the flowers are dry. For best results, air dry the flowers for another few days to ensure all the moisture is gone.

Nine Tips For Drying Flowers So They Stay Beautiful Longer

1. Don’t Rush The Process

One of the most important tips for success when it comes to drying flowers to maintain their colors and beauty is to not rush the process. If you rush air-drying, then your flowers may not dry completely. This can lead to mold or rot.

Rushing the dehydration or baking process can make your flowers toasty, and lose much of their beautiful color. 

2. Dry Flowers When They Are The Freshest

Remember that when you dry flowers, you are preserving them from the moment you begin the drying process. Therefore you must ensure flowers are at their freshest and most beautiful when you start drying them.

Don’t wait until flowers are past their prime, as this will lead to far inferior and lackluster results.

3. Find A Cool And Dry Location For Air-Drying

Where you choose to dry your flowers when doing so naturally is an important decision. Two of the most important factors when choosing a location to dry flowers are humidity and temperature.

Find a cool space in your home or outside to dry flowers. Choose a time of year, or at least a one-week stretch, when humidity levels are low, and the chance of rain is minimal.

4. Give Your Flowers Space

No matter which method you use to dry flowers, remember to give them space to breathe. If you bunch blossoms too close together, they will dry slowly and unevenly. It can also cause the petals to dry in unnatural directions.

Dry larger blooms individually, and when grouping flowers, do so in small bunches with plenty of space between each bloom.

5. Find A Pest-Free Zone To Dry And Store Flowers

Remember that several types of pests can think your drying flowers are food. When drying flowers, it’s important you first rinse them off to remove any insects. Next, choose a screened-in area, if possible, to minimize the risk of moths and mites that will attack these drying beauties.

6. Use A Dark Well-Ventilated Space

You should also dry and store your dried flowers in a dark and well-ventilated space. Direct sunlight will slowly bake flowers and cause them unnecessary stress during the drying process. This can result in brown, unappealing results.

You must have good ventilation and lots of circulating air. Stagnant air can result in uneven drying, and will likely make the drying process take longer.

7. Spray Flowers With Hairspray To Preserve Them

One famous floral trick to help keep flowers resilient longer than normal is to spray them with hair spray. This trick works wonders on fresh leaves like Monstera, but can also keep your dried flowers looking fresh and vibrant for longer. So if you want your dried flowers to last long enough to use them as Thanksgiving decorations, use some hairspray.

8. Remove Flowers From Sunlight Once They Are Cut

To help keep your flowers looking beautiful (before and after you dry them), remove them from direct sunlight as soon as you cut them in your garden. The longer they spend in the sunlight (especially out of water), the quicker they will wilt and die.

9. Remove Extra Leaves And Stems Before Drying

Lastly, remember to trim and clean up the flowers before drying them. All extra leaves and small stems should be trimmed before you dry them. This not only speeds up the drying process, but also allows your plant more space to dry. 

Summing Up How To Dry Flowers So They Stay Beautiful

Drying your fresh flowers is a great way to give them a new life. Dry flowers make for a wonderful decoration that is both natural and low maintenance. There are five great ways to dry flowers. The most popular method is air-drying flowers, but you can also dry flowers in an oven, a microwave, or a dehydrator. 

To best preserve your flower's color, dry them in silica gel. When air-drying flowers, choose a cool dry place that is out of the sun and away from pests.

Related Guides:

• 11 Low-Maintenance Plants That Are Great Filler In Flower Arrangements
• 10 Ways To Help A Bouquet Of Flowers Last Longer
• 10 Ways To Pick Flowers Without Damaging The Plant