How to Store Dried Flowers
This article has links to products that I may make commission from.
Welcome to your ultimate guide on how to store dried flowers. If you have a penchant for preserving the beauty of nature or love incorporating dried blooms into your home decor or DIY projects, this guide is sure to help.
We'll explore various methods of drying flowers, including air drying, pressing flowers in a book, using a microwave flower press, and employing silica gel.
We'll also cover how to keep dried flowers for diverse uses like resin, confetti, tea, and more.
To learn more about preserving dried flowers, check out my guide How Long Do Dried Flowers Last?
Drying Flowers at Home: Methods & Tips
Whether you're saving a special bouquet or making the most of your garden's bounty, drying flowers is a great way to preserve your favorite blooms.
Air Drying
Air drying is the simplest and most cost-effective method of preserving flowers, perfect for sturdy blooms like roses or small, hearty wildflowers.
How to do it:
Trim the stems of your flowers to the desired length, but leave a few extra inches for tying.
Then, group your flowers into small bunches and secure the stems together with a rubber band or string.
Hang them upside down in a dry, well-ventilated area away from direct sunlight.
An unused closet, attic, or even a shower rod can be the perfect place.
This process usually takes 2-3 weeks, depending on the flower type and humidity.
Tips:
Try to remove any foliage from the stems and choose flowers that aren't fully opened as they will continue to open while drying.
Pressing Flowers
Pressing flowers is a method that works best for delicate, flat flowers like violets or daisies, but can be used for just about any type of flower.
How to do it:
Start by placing your flowers face down in the middle of a heavy book, positioned between two pieces of parchment or wax paper to protect the pages.
Stack more books or heavy objects on top to help press the flowers.
Leave the flowers to dry for about 2-3 weeks.
Or try using a flower press kit. Here is the one I recommend:
Tips:
Check your flowers periodically to ensure they are drying properly. Once they’re completely dry, carefully remove them with tweezers.
Learn more about how to harvest and store your garden harvest:
Microwave Flower Press
A microwave can speed up the flower pressing process from a few weeks to a couple of minutes.
How to do it:
Place your flowers on a piece of absorbent paper, cover them with another paper, and press between the tiles.
Then, microwave on a low setting in short intervals, checking the flowers for dryness between each.
Once dried, leave them in the press to cool and further dry out.
Here is my recommended microwave flower press kit:
Tips: Be careful not to overdo it. Too much heat or time in the microwave can cause the flowers to discolor.
Using Silica Gel
Silica gel is perfect for preserving flowers that have a distinct shape you'd like to maintain, such as roses or tulips.
How to do it:
Fill a container halfway with silica gel.
Place your flowers bloom side up in the container, and then gently pour more silica gel around the petals, ensuring the shape of the flower is maintained.
Seal the container and wait for about a week until the flowers are completely dry.
Here is my recommended silica gel to use for flower preserving:
Tips: Make sure the petals are covered but not squashed by the gel. Also, silica gel can be reused - just dry it out in the oven according to the package instructions.
Check out my guide: How Long Do Dried Flowers Last?
Dried Flower Storage Containers
The most essential component for storing dried flowers is the container.
This needs to be suitable for protecting the delicate petals and stems.
Airtight plastic boxes, glass jars with lids, and sturdy paper envelopes are all ideal for this.
Sealable plastic boxes can provide more protection against accidental crushing, while glass jars and paper envelopes are ideal for smaller flowers or petals.
Here is the storage container I recommend for dried flowers:
Key Conditions for Storage
1. Dark:
Direct sunlight can fade the color of dried flowers over time, so it's essential to store them in a dark place.
A cupboard, a closet, or any area not directly exposed to sunlight would be perfect.
2. Dry:
Humidity and moisture can damage dried flowers, causing them to become limp or moldy.
It's crucial to store them in a dry place. Silica packets can be placed in the storage container to help absorb any residual moisture.
3. Cool:
Heat can also damage dried flowers, so it's best to store them in a cool place.
Avoid placing your storage container near radiators, heating vents, or other heat sources.
Special Storage Considerations
How to Store Dried Flowers for Resin:
When you're planning to encapsulate dried flowers in resin, it's crucial that they are completely dry to avoid clouding the resin.
They should be stored in an airtight container to prevent any moisture absorption.
How to Store Dried Flowers for Confetti:
For confetti, crispness is crucial.
Store dried flowers in a cool, dark place in paper bags.
The bags will absorb any residual moisture and keep the flowers crisp.
How to Store Dried Flowers for Tea:
If you're drying flowers for tea, storing them properly is essential for maintaining their flavor and aroma.
Glass jars with airtight lids are an excellent choice for this.
They will protect your flowers from moisture and light.
Here are my favorite glass jars with airtight lids:
Pressed Flower Storage Book:
A flower press book is ideal for storing pressed flowers.
It will keep the flowers flat and safe.
Just ensure that the book is stored in a dark, dry, cool place.
Here is the flower press book I recommend:
Remember, proper storage is crucial for keeping your dried flowers beautiful and preserving their integrity. Always handle them gently to prevent any damage, and they will remain a lovely reminder of your garden's beauty or a special occasion.
Other Ways to Preserve and Use Dried Flowers
Dried flowers offer a wide range of uses, and knowing how to preserve them properly opens up a world of creative possibilities.
Here are some ways you can preserve and use dried flowers:
How to Preserve Dried Flowers in a Frame
Dried flowers can be beautifully displayed in picture frames, adding a touch of natural beauty to your home decor.
How to do it:
Arrange your dried pressed flowers on a backdrop of your choice – this could be cardstock, a piece of fabric, or even a photo.
Then, carefully place this within your picture frame.
This way, you can enjoy the beauty of the flowers every day.
Here is the flower press frame I recommend.
Tip: When displaying framed flowers, remember to keep them out of direct sunlight to prevent fading.
Using a Pressed Flower Storage Book
A pressed flower storage book or herbarium is a perfect place to keep delicate pressed flowers safe.
How to do it:
Lay each flower or sprig on its own page.
This will protect the flowers and keep them flat, preserving their shapes and colors.
Here is the flower press book I recommend:
Dried Flowers in Resin
You can use resin to create stunning jewelry or decorative pieces featuring your dried flowers.
How to do it:
Arrange your dried flowers on a silicone mold, then pour a thin layer of resin over them.
Once it has cured, add another layer of resin to completely encapsulate the flowers.
After the final layer has cured, you can remove the piece from the mold.
Here is the Resin Kit I recommend for preserving flowers:
Dried Flowers as Tea
Many flowers are not just beautiful but also edible and can make delicious and aromatic teas.
Dried Flowers as Confetti
Dried flowers can be a beautiful and eco-friendly alternative to traditional paper confetti.
How to do it:
Simply crumble your dried flowers into small pieces.
Store them in a paper bag until it's time to celebrate!
Dried Flower Potpourri
Potpourri is a mixture of dried, naturally fragrant plant materials, used to provide a gentle natural scent.
How to do it:
Mix dried flowers with essential oils and let them sit for a few weeks to infuse.
Place the mixture in a bowl or sachet to fragrance your home.
With these ideas, you can see that dried flowers offer endless creative possibilities, from home decor to personal accessories to culinary uses.
So the next time you have a bouquet that's past its prime or a garden full of blooms, consider drying and preserving some of the flowers.
You'll be able to continue enjoying their beauty long after their fresh counterparts have faded.
Dried Flowers FAQ
How long can you store dried flowers?
Dried flowers can last for many years if stored properly.
They can even remain beautiful for up to 10 years or more.
Factors such as the type of flower, the drying method used, and the storage conditions (cool, dry, dark) significantly impact the flowers' longevity.
Also check out my guide: How Long Do Dried Flowers Last?
How do you keep dried flowers from falling apart?
Here are some tips to prevent dried flowers from falling apart:
Handle them with care: Dried flowers are delicate, so always handle them gently to avoid damage.
Use a sealant: There are products available, like hairspray or specialty floral sprays, that you can lightly mist onto the dried flowers to add a bit of protection and help prevent them from crumbling.
Store them properly: Keep dried flowers in a dry, dark, cool place and consider keeping them in a case or shadow box for further protection.
What to keep pressed flowers in?
You can store pressed flowers in a variety of ways:
In a press: If you're not ready to use them right away, you can keep them in your flower press. My recommended flower press kit.
In a book: If you don’t have a flower press, keeping them between the pages of a book is a great alternative.
In a storage box: A flat storage box, like a document or photo box, can protect your pressed flowers from being crushed.
In a scrapbook or herbarium: You can arrange your pressed flowers on the pages and write notes about each specimen.
Remember to store these in a cool, dry, and dark place to help the pressed flowers retain their color and shape.
Conclusion
Learning how to preserve the live beauty of fresh flowers through the drying process is an engaging and rewarding endeavor.
Whether you choose to air dry, press flowers, or use silica gel, each method offers its own unique charm and end result.
The joy of the process is not only in the initial bloom but also in the preservation journey, watching as your vibrant, fresh flowers transform into lasting, dried beauties.
Mastering these techniques can ensure your flowers last, even beyond their natural lifespan. The lasting power of dried flowers gives a second life to your beautiful blooms, and the enjoyment they provide can go on for many years.
So the next time you receive a gorgeous bouquet or your garden is in full bloom, why not try to preserve some of those stunning specimens?
In doing so, you're not just drying flowers - you're also capturing a moment in time, a memory, or even the peak of your garden’s season. You'll find it's a wonderful way to extend your enjoyment of nature’s beauty.
In the end, learning how to preserve flowers is a testament to our appreciation for nature's fleeting beauty, capturing a moment and making it last. So go on, explore these techniques, and create keepsakes that will let the beauty of your dried flowers last, creating lasting reminders of the vibrant life they once had.
