Drying flowers doesn’t need to be difficult. This is a complete guide on how to dry flowers step by step 3 different ways and get amazing results each way!
When my husband and I were getting married, one of the things I knew was a must to do on my list was dry my wedding bouquet. I wanted that to be one of the keepsakes from our special day. So, while we were on our honeymoon, my parents did the drying process for my wedding bouquet for me. I am so happy we did that. I love having them displayed in a basket in our home.
Dried flowers add so much beauty to a space. Especially in the winter when flowers are nowhere to be found. It is during those times that you will be so happy that you did the drying flowers process. I love drying hydrangeas in the summer to use for decoration throughout my home. They keep their color when dried correctly and I love that.
Drying flowers really is not a difficult process. I think the hardest part of the process is having enough patience to wait for them to actually dry.
If you already have some dried flowers around your home like I do, try making a DIY dried floral arrangement!
Best Flowers to Dry
- Violets
- Daisies
- Vinca
- Single Petal Rose
- Hydrangea
- Zinnias
- Lavendar
- marigold
- baby’s breath
- Ranunculas
- Gerbera daisy
- Tulips
The list goes on and on, but those are some of the most popular (and most beautiful) flowers to dry.
Different Methods for Drying Flowers
There are many different methods to dry flowers. The method you choose depends on what variety of flower you are drying. I am only going to cover 3 methods today. Those 3 methods are…
- Hang Drying
- Press Drying
- Water Drying
Some of the other ways to dry flowers that I won’t be covering are microwave drying, Oven drying, drying flowers in silica gel (chemical drying in general), and glycerin soak.
How to Hang Dry Flowers Step-by-Step
To hang dry flowers, you will need string, scissors or clippers, and a clothes hanger. The pant hanger above works so well for hang drying because of the bar going across the hanger!
STEP 1: Start by examining the cut flower stems and removing any unwanted leaves or thorns. If you want to heave dried leaves on the flowers at the end, then keep some of the leaves. Just keep in mind that leaving too many leaves on the stem will result in the drying time taking longer.
STEP 2: Second, wrap the string, I am using twine, around the middle to bottom of a group of a few stems until secure enough that the flowers will not slip out. Then, attach the string to the hanger with the flowers hanging upside down.
STEP 3: Next, hang the flowers in a dark, warm, but dry place within your home. I use a coat closet to hang mine. It has never failed me.
STEP 4: Enjoy beautiful results on average in just two to three weeks! It may take shorter or longer, check the flowers periodically.
Some flowers that dry well by hang drying are lavender, strawflowers, eucalyptus, roses, and zinnias. Flowers that are smaller and more compact do well hang drying.
How to Press Dry Flowers Steps-by-Step
The supplies needed to press dry flowers include clippers, a heavy book (plus extra books), and parchment paper.
STEP 1: To start, fold the parchment paper in half so it is creased, resembling a book.
STEP 2: Place the flowers in between the two folds of the parchment paper. Then, place the folded parchment paper with the flowers in it into one side of a book.
STEP 3: Close the book and place more books on top to add some weight.
STEP 4: Enjoy beautifully pressed flowers in about 2 to three weeks, but again, check periodically!
Flowers that do well book drying are daisies, cosmos, pansies, violas, and violets. When deciding what flowers to book press, look for flowers that have flat blooms as well as a natural flatness to them. Ferns and even leaves do well for book pressing.
How to Vase Dry Flowers Step-by-Step
To vase dry flowers, you will need a vase, a bit of water, and clippers.
STEP 1: Start by filling a vase with a couple inches of water.
STEP 2: Now, taking the cut flowers, place them in the few inches of water. Try to keep the flowers away from very direct sunlight.
STEP 3: Enjoy them as they are living in the water while you wait until all the water is evaporated and the flowers dry but are still perky. Drying in a vase helps the flowers to dry but yet keep their color.
Flowers that work well in vase drying are hydrangea, baby’s breath, yarrow, bells of Ireland, and celosia.
Ways I Style Dried Flowers
There are so many fun ways to style dried flowers. I wanted to include a few ways I style dried flowers to give you some ideas and get your brain flowing with more ideas!
Baskets and dried flowers are an ultimate pair. I hung this basket on our door that goes upstairs and added in some of the dried flowers from my wedding bouquet.
For this one, I spray painted a small picture frame, added in the page of an old book, and pressed a flower on top of it all! This is actually displayed by magnets on our fridge.
This is one of my favorites. I added some wooden hooks in our kitchen to display my apron along with some other little things. I thrifted a white pitcher and added dried Lavendar into it for a pop of color. It looks so nice against our white walls and sage green cabinets!
If you enjoyed this post or tried any of these flower drying methods out, we would love to hear about it! Let us know in the comments below!
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