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4 Easy Ways to Dry Flowers Beautifully

By Louisa Price

Drying flowers you received from a wedding, the birth of your child, or even picked from your garden is a wonderful way to preserve their beauty and specialness.

When the flowers dry remarkably well, they can last for many years. Dried flowers can be enjoyed in a multitude of interesting ways such as in wreaths, swags (vertical and horizontal), sheaths, and bouquets. Box frame, potpourri or other craft projects are also great for displaying dried flowers in your home.

How to Dry Flowers

1. The easiest way to dry flowers is the air-dry method. However, not all varieties of flowers can be dried this way because some will lose their color when they are air-dried while others will lose their petals.

To air dry flowers, you will need to cut the flowers just as they are about to bloom and their petals are new. Older flowers tend to lose their petals as they dry. Simply secure together with string, rubber band or floral wire tied around the stems. Hang your flower bunch upside down in a dry place, from a peg, coat hook, or clothesline for about 2-3 weeks. Very importantly, make sure the place is undisturbed, dry, well ventilated, has good air flow, and is out of direct sunlight or is dark.

2. The fastest way to dry flowers is to use your microwave. You will need silica gel crystals, which can be found in most craft stores, locally or online. They can be rather expensive to buy, but they can be used over and over again.

Place silica gel crystals in a microwave safe dish and heat on high for a few minutes to remove any moisture. Meanwhile, cut the flowers short enough to fit completely inside a microwave safe glass container. Pour a few inches of the silica gel into the bottom of the glass container and stand your flower up in it by inserting the stem into the crystals. Fill the rest of the container with the remaining silica gel crystals so that the flowers are completely covered.

Depending on the type of flowers you want to preserve, you may have to microwave the container on high for 2-5 minutes. As a general rule of thumb, 3 minutes for very dense flowers with a lot of petals, and about 2 minutes for smaller or thinner-petaled flowers. Remember to place a cup of water in the microwave before starting to help prevent excessive drying.

Allow the flowers to cool for at least 20 minutes before you remove the silica gel from the container. Using a small paintbrush or makeup brush, gently brush off crystals from the flowers.

3. Alternatively, use only silica gel to dry flowers. Place a few inches of silica gel in the bottom of a resealable container. Put your flowers into the container and make sure to cover the petals completely with silica gel. Close the container with lid and seal around the edges with tape to make sure it is completely airtight. The flowers should dry in 1 week.

4. Flowers can also be preserved by burying them in sand or borax. Pour about 1-2 inches of dry shore sand or sifted borax into the bottom of a container. Place the flowers, bloom side down and cover them gently with sand or borax. It usually takes approximately 3-4 weeks to dry the flowers. Remove excess sand or borax with a small paintbrush.

To make dried flowers last longer and keep them looking their best, you want to spray them with a matte acrylic art spray, hairspray, or a specialized dried flower spray. The dried flowers should be sprayed again from time to time to prevent them from falling apart and the colors from fading. If you want to store the dried flowers, make sure to wrap them in newspaper first. Store them in a dry, cool place – closet, cupboard, or garage.

Preserving flowers on your own is easy. In a matter of a few steps, you can dry flowers at home and keep your special memories for years to come.

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