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How to Dry Flowers in a Few Easy Steps

Looking for ways to preserve a special bouquet or flowers from your garden? Learn how to dry flowers in a few easy steps. 

Have you ever wanted to preserve a bridal bouquet, an anniversary arrangement, or flowers from the garden?

Drying flowers prolong their aesthetics and nostalgia. Plus they make beautiful budget-friendly home decor that can be used in many DIY projects.

Did you know there are LOTS of flowers that you are probably growing that are easy to dry?

With all of these summer blooms, it’s a great time to harvest and preserve them.

Wait until you see how easy it is to do!

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Drying Flowers is New For Me

I love flowers. They make me happy. And because I love flowers so much, I started growing them.

It started with one small garden, then progressed to so many more.

For years, I didn’t cut flowers from the garden because I thought they looked prettier in the borders.

I didn’t want to ruin the beds by snipping some to take inside. But for the last few years, I’ve been trying to change that mentality.

Because flowers are meant to be enjoyed both outside and inside our homes, right?

So I started growing a new flower garden with the purpose of cutting the blooms.

Designating one of the beds as a cut flower garden made it easier to grow flowers and harvest to bring inside.

This year, I grew many in the potager garden and LOVE how the garden looks don’t you?

calendula, larkspur, snapdragons in potager garden by fountain

As the garden blooms and changes throughout the season, I want to preserve some of my colorful blooms to use indoors.

Lately, I’ve been drying hydrangeas and tucking them in some vintage crates around my house. I love the pretty vintage blues and purple they add to my home decor.

Today, I want to preserve this gorgeous bouquet of orange roses to use in some vintage crocks with my fall decor.

Plus, I have some gorgeous dahlias that I’d love to keep around.

Whether it’s a beautiful wedding bouquet, corsage, or flowers from the garden, there are a few ways to dry flowers.

The best part?

It’s easy to do! And dried flowers can last a long time. So you can use them in different ways to decorate your home.

snapdragon bouquet in potager garden with cut flowers

Air Drying Flowers Method

Since I prefer to do things the easy way, air-drying flowers is the simplest, most budget-friendly way to dry flowers.

It is a simple and effective way to preserve their beauty and create lovely dried floral arrangements.

This technique involves allowing the flowers to naturally dry out in the air without using any external heat sources or chemicals.

Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to air-dry flowers:

Supplies need to dry flowers - How to dry flowers - supplies
Drying flowers supplies

Supplies Needed to Air Dry Flowers

  • Flowers
  • Scissors
  • Twine
  • Stick, hanger, or drying rack
  • Unscented hairspray
Holding a bouquet of orange roses to prepare them for drying -How to dry flowers with orange roses
Gorgeous bright orange roses

How to Air Dry Flowers

  • Choose flowers that are in their peak condition, with no signs of wilting or damage. The best time to harvest flowers for drying is in the morning after the dew has evaporated but before the sun is too hot.
  • Remove all of the leaves from the stems.
  • Group a small number of flowers together and tie them in small bunches to ensure even drying. Secure the stems together with a rubber band or string, leaving enough space between each flower to allow for good airflow.
  • Attach to a stick, hanger, or drying rack.
  • Then hang to dry in a well-ventilated, dry, dark space for 3-4 weeks. Be patient and resist the urge to check on them too often, as disturbing the bundles could disrupt the drying process.
  • After a couple of weeks, carefully inspect the flowers to see if they are completely dry and papery to the touch. If there is any remaining moisture, return them to their hanging position for more time.
  • Once the flowers are thoroughly dry, remove them from the bundles and gently brush off any loose petals or debris. Store the dried flowers in airtight containers or use them to create stunning dried floral arrangements for various purposes, such as home decor or crafts.
  • Spray with unscented hairspray to help them last.
removing leaves from orange roses to prepare them for drying -How to dry flowers
Removing leaves from roses before drying
tying bunches of sedum autumn joy, dahlias and roses to a stick found in the yard held by twine to dry flowers -How to dry flowers
I just grabbed sticks from the yard to hang and dry flowers.

Drying Flowers FAQs

Drying flowers is a timeless art that allows you to preserve the beauty of blooms and create delightful arrangements that last beyond their natural lifespan.

Whether you’re a seasoned floral enthusiast or a beginner looking to explore this fascinating technique, you likely have some questions about the process, best practices, and the types of flowers that are ideal for drying.

In this comprehensive FAQ section, we’ll chat about common questions to help you master the art of air drying and preserving flowers so that your floral creations stand the test of time.

amaranth close up
Amaranth

How do you dry flowers and keep their color?

If you want to keep the best color, cut flowers before they are fully open. Tie and hang them upside down in a dry, but warm, dark spot. The more light it gets, the lighter the color retention.

I am going to hang these in my finished basement to complete the drying process. But a garage or small dark room would work equally as well.

Just make sure the space is well-ventilated, dark and dry.

close up of davide austin rose 'charlotte' The Complete Guide to Roses Care
‘Charlotte’ David Austin Rose

Do dried flowers last forever?

While we can do our best to make them last, dried flowers don’t last forever.

You can do your best to extend their life, but I recommend replacing them when they don’t look as good.

When I got married, I kept my wedding bouquet for several years. They looked really good for a long time, but over time they started looking shabby.

The longevity of dried flowers depends on several factors, including the flower type, the drying process, and how they are stored and cared for over time.

good directions birdhouse with celosia on a shepherds hook in the garden
Good Directions Birdhouse surrounded by celosia

Properly dried and well-preserved flowers can retain their beauty and shape for several months to a few years. Some flowers, like lavender, baby’s breath, and statice, tend to hold their color and shape better than others when dried.

On the other hand, delicate flowers with thin petals may not last as long and can become brittle or lose their color faster.

To extend the lifespan of dried flowers:

  1. Store them in a dry, cool, and dark place: Excessive moisture and exposure to sunlight can cause the flowers to deteriorate more quickly.
  2. Avoid touching them frequently: Handling dried flowers too much can lead to breakage or crumbling.
  3. Dust them gently: Occasionally dust the dried flowers with a soft brush or use a can of compressed air to keep them clean.
  4. Use a protective spray: You can apply a clear lacquer or hairspray to dried flowers to help preserve their color and protect them from damage.

Despite your best efforts, it’s essential to understand that over time, all dried flowers will naturally degrade and lose some of their vibrancy. However, with proper care and attention, you can enjoy the beauty of dried flowers for a significant amount of time and create stunning floral arrangements that add a touch of elegance to your living spaces.

Limelight Hydrangeas and Beautyberry are the best fall garden flowers
Limelight hydrangea flowers with beautyberry (callicarpa)

How long do dried flowers last?

In general, dried flowers roughly last about 1-3 years. For best results, handle them with the most care. And try to keep them out of direct sunlight, wind, and humidity.

The lifespan of dried flowers can vary depending on several factors, including the flower type, the drying process, and how they are stored and cared for over time.

As mentioned earlier, some flowers hold up better when dried and can retain their color and shape for a more extended period. Lavender, baby’s breath, strawflowers, and statice are examples of flowers that tend to last longer when dried.

However, it’s essential to understand that, despite your best efforts, all dried flowers will naturally degrade over time. They may become more brittle, lose some color intensity, or experience some fading as the months go by.

So I think it’s a good idea to dry more and refresh them every so often.

close up of lavender flowers
Lavender flowers

What are the best flowers to dry?

There’s a pretty big list, but I have successfully dried the following blooms.

  • roses
  • globe thistle
  • hydrangeas
  • strawflower
  • yarrow
  • sedum
  • herbs
  • celosia
  • lavender
  • ageratum
  • russian sage
  • salvia

I recently dried dahlias and they looked so pretty! As an aside, I don’t dry hydrangeas like I do other flowers.

If you want to dry hydrangeas, this is the easiest way to do it.

strawflowers in the cut flower garden

What are dried flowers good for?

There are lots of great ways to use dried flowers in your home. Here are a few ideas:

  • wreaths
  • centerpieces
  • arrangements
  • potpourri
  • candle-making projects
  • gifts
  • sachets
  • baths
  • cooking (some are edible in desserts or teas)
  • home-made cleaning products
goldenrod in the cottage garden
Goldenrod in the cottage garden

Should you spray dried flowers with hairspray?

To keep dried flowers in the best condition, hairspray can be applied to delicate dried flowers.

I recommend using it on wedding bouquets or corsages that have sentimental value to help them last longer.

Also, hairspray helps retain the shape better when moved around and prevents color fade over time.

closeup of fresh flower arrangement with dahlias and zinnias
How to Keep Fresh Flowers Longer

How to Dry Flowers in a Few Easy Steps

Looking for ways to preserve a special bouquet or flowers from your garden? Learn how to dry flowers in a few easy steps. 
Prep Time10 minutes
Active Time10 minutes
Total Time20 minutes
Calories:
Cost: $20

Equipment

  • 1 Twine
  • Stick
  • Hairspray Unscented

Materials

  • Flowers
  • 1 Scissors
  • 1 Twine
  • Stick, hanger
  • Hairspray Unscented

Instructions

  • Choose flowers that are in their peak condition, with no signs of wilting or damage.
    strawflowers in the cut flower garden
  • Remove all of the leaves from the stems.
  • Group a small number of flowers together and tie them in small bunches to ensure even drying. Secure the stems together with a rubber band or string, leaving enough space between each flower to allow for good airflow.
    Supplies need to dry flowers - How to dry flowers - supplies
  • Attach to a stick, hanger, or drying rack.
    tying bunches of sedum autumn joy, dahlias and roses to a stick found in the yard held by twine to dry flowers -How to dry flowers
  • Then hang to dry in a well-ventilated, dry, dark space for 3-4 weeks. Be patient and resist the urge to check on them too often, as disturbing the bundles could disrupt the drying process.
  • After a couple of weeks, carefully inspect the flowers to see if they are completely dry and papery to the touch. If there is any remaining moisture, return them to their hanging position for more time.
  • Once the flowers are thoroughly dry, remove them from the bundles and gently brush off any loose petals or debris. Store the dried flowers in airtight containers or use them to create stunning dried floral arrangements for various purposes, such as home decor or crafts.
  • Spray with unscented hairspray to help them last.

Where can I buy dried flowers?

If you’d rather skip the step of drying flowers, there are a few retailers that sell gorgeous dried flowers as well as other boho home decor.

Here are some of my GREAT go-to sources for dried flowers.

If you want to make your own arrangements but don’t want to dry flowers yourself, these dried flowers are incredibly beautiful.

And there are so many options to choose from.

Where can I buy dried flower home decor?

To get the boho look without the work, check out these gorgeous pre-made options.

Garden Supplies I Use

I’m often asked about the garden supplies and tools that I use most. From pruners to deer repellents, here are some of my favorites in no particular order.

Click here to shop my vintage farmhouse with close up of the front porch with flowers

Looking for More Flower Garden Ideas?

If you love flowers and want to grow more in your garden, here are some posts that will get you on your way.

From tucking in flowering plants that are deer-resistant or ones that attract more butterflies and hummingbirds, to shade-loving flowers like the lenten rose, these posts will get you on your way to growing a garden that will bring joy for years to come.

Here are more cut flower and cottage garden growing tips, tricks, and design inspiration.

view of the front porch cottage garden with sugar pumpkins, sedum autumn joy, rudbeckia, celosia and snapdragons

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sedum autumn joy superbells supertunias and zinnias in the front yard cottage garden by the porch

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stacy ling cutting dahlias in her garden

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close up of bright orange roses with baby's breath - How to dry flowers with orange roses
Bouquet of orange roses with baby’s breath
Cut hydrangeas for drying in farmhouse kitchen in vintage ball jar glasses -How to Dry a Hydrangea the Easy Way
Drying sedum autumn joy, dahlias and roses  hung by twine on a branch -How to Dry Flowers
Drying sedum autumn joy, dahlias and roses
close up of dahlias - Dahlias are the best fall garden flowers
Dahlias in the fall garden
fresh cut dahlias in bud vases on granite countertop in farmhouse kitchen with white painted cabinetsHow to Dry Flowers
Cafe Au Lait Dahlias from the Cutting Garden in these adorable bud vases. I love them so much I’m getting another set!
Front yard cottage garden in fall with flowers that are perfect for drying -How to Dry Flowers From Your Garden
My cottage garden in fall has lots of pretty flowers to dry.
Dahlias from the cutting garden - How to Dry Flowers
Fresh cut bouquet of dahlias with beautyberry (callicarpa) in the background
Cutting garden to dry flowers
The cutting garden has an array of gorgeous flowers that are perfect for drying.
close up of cafe au lait dahlias

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14 Comments

  1. You have so many beautiful flowers to choose from! I just preserved flowers from my girlfriend’s wedding using silica…I’m amazed at how well they turned out! ( I still haven’t gotten to the project I want to make for her yet though!!)

  2. I’ve always liked dried flowers and love that it extends the life of those cut flowers. Also those wreaths are gorgeous!

  3. Stacy, great post! You just reminded me to use hairspray on these gorgeous pink roses I dried a few months ago! Your garden is so beautiful. I really need to set up a separate cutting garden. Like you, I don’t want to cut them as they look so beautiful in the garden. Thanks for sharing!

    1. It’s so hard right??? I enjoy them so much outdoors but have really been working on myself to cut more and bring them in!