Dry flowers – create beautiful bouquets and wreaths that last

Drying flowers indoors means trying to preserve their natural shape and color as much as possible. What method should you use? It depends on how long you are willing to wait for the results and the type of flower or plant you have chosen.

Air drying has the advantage of easily maintaining the shape of the flowers, but it takes a couple of weeks for them to dry. If you want to shorten the time, you can use silica gel in an airtight container, as silica helps to take care of the moisture. Drying in the oven is definitely the fastest method, but there is a risk of losing their shape, and you also have to be careful not to burn them.

We will explore the advantages and disadvantages of each technique in the sections below, and also go through step by step how the process works.

Air drying is one of the simplest and most common methods for drying flowers. This method works best for flowers with sturdy stems and small to medium-sized blooms.

Here's how to do it:

Choose the right flowers: Choose flowers that are fully bloomed and free from damage, with strong, fresh stems.

Prepare the flowers: Remove any excess leaves from the stems.

Tie the flowers together: Gather a small bunch of flowers and tie them together with a string.

Hang upside down: Hang the flowers upside down in a dark, dry, and well-ventilated place. A pantry or closet works well.

Let them dry: Let the flowers dry for 2-4 weeks until they are completely dry. Check on them regularly to prevent mold or damage.

For those who want to preserve the color and shape of flowers as accurately as possible, drying with silica gel is an excellent option. This method is particularly good for flowers with delicate petals, such as daisies and peonies. Silica absorbs moisture so the process is faster than with regular air drying.

Here's how to do it:

Prepare the flowers: Cut the stems to the desired length and remove excess leaves.

Fill a container: Pour a layer of silica gel at the bottom of an airtight container.

Place the flowers: Place the flowers in the container with the petals facing up. Gently cover them with more silica gel.

Seal the container: Close the lid tightly and let it sit for 1-2 weeks.

Check: After drying, carefully remove the flowers and brush off excess silica gel.

One can also use other moisture-absorbing alternatives to silica gel, some people use, for example, cat litter to speed up the drying process.

You can speed up the drying process by drying flowers in the oven. This drying method is best suited for relatively flat flowers as they lay down during the process, which can affect their shape. If you want to ensure that the flower retains its shape, for example a rose, you may need to support it with something. Make sure that it is a material that can withstand heat in the oven.

Here's how to do it:

1. Set the oven to a low temperature: A low temperature means around 30-45 degrees.

2. Place the flowers: Place a parchment paper in a baking tray and place the flowers on top.

3. Monitor the process: Check the flowers at least every 20 minutes to avoid burning them. The flowers are ready when they are completely dry and feel crispy.

4. Let them cool: Remove the baking tray and let it cool down.

Furthermore, some people spray hairspray as a finishing touch, to make the dried plants more durable and less likely to lose parts easily.