How to dry flowers?An ode to faded flowers

Everyone loves natural flowers when they are fresh, but in recent years we have also taken a liking to everything that has faded. Indeed, the beauty of a flower does not dissipate with the last drop of water. You can make great floral decorations from dried plants without investing too much in the business. So how do you dry flowers? Find a few foolproof methods.

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The first thing to know before even embarking on the flower drying challenge is that some species are better suited to it than others. Especially since in terms of color and shape, there are varieties of flowers that keep better when dried. Such are, for example, hydrangeas, peonies, roses, gypsofiles and immortelles which would bring a soft floral note to a shabby chic or country decor. In addition, there is wheat, eucalyptus, lavender, thistle, cotton and pampas grass which would fit perfectly into a bohemian, rustic or other exotic aesthetic decor. Whatever flower you choose, note that it is best picked in the morning on a dry, warm day, before the dew has cleared. Otherwise, there is a risk that the flowers will rot instead of dry out. We still advise you to select the buttons that are barely open.

Not all flowers are suitable for drying

How do I air-dry flowers?

Perhaps the simplest and most natural method is to air-dry flowers. There's really nothing fancy about it. Just follow the few steps listed below and you'll be done.

1. Start by removing all the green leaves perched on the stems of the flowers and grouping the latter by specimens.
2. Then make small clumps of 8 to 10 stems maximum, which tie with a elastic or string.
3. Find a fairly warm, fairly dry and well-ventilated place, sheltered from direct sunlight, at the risk of attenuating the intensity of the colours. Otherwise, wrap in newspaper to ensure shade.
4. Hang the bouquet upside down and wait two to three weeks until the plants are completely dry.

Air drying – the most natural way

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How to press flowers to dry them?



The press is another process to consider. In order to pull it off, you'll need a flower press, two pieces of plywood, or the good old method of pressing between the pages of a book. Whichever solution you choose, you must go through the following steps:

1. Choose species that are as flat as possible. Thick, well-opened flowers would not be very suitable. So favor rather fine varieties, such as violets, hydrangeas, pansies, geraniums, that is to say – flowers that dry and retain their original shape better.
2. Prepare your press, taking care to isolate the two parts well with two pieces of cardboard inside, followed by two sheets of paper placed on top. For the sake of better moisture absorption, the paper is intended to be unglazed.
3. Then, proceed to the flowers. Depending on your needs, you can keep the stems, remove them or pick the petals. Place the flowers face down on the paper, spacing them far enough apart, at the risk of finding the colors diluted later. Due to the varying needs in terms of drying time, we still advise you to dry the flowers by specimens.
4. Press the flowers between the chosen pieces of plywood or inside your press or heavy book (dictionary, encyclopedia, etc.)
5. Wait the time needed for drying, which is between one and four weeks depending on the thickness of the flower (thinner ones dry faster) . Check the process a few times to make sure the paper is watertight and the flowers are nicely distributed on the paper.
6. Finally, discover the flowers. Be sure to use pliers to detach them, since dehydrated flowers are quite fragile and breakable. There you go, you can already decorate with it.

The press method for drying flowers

Here's how

And that's how to use the flower press

What to do for drying flowers with silica gel?

Do you know what silica gel is? As bizarre as it may sound, there is no doubt that you have already encountered this little-known substance. Have you noticed, for example, the small sachets of transparent beads that always come with the new pair of shoes. Ah, but are you there? That's what silica gel is. A fairly strong desiccant, it is known for its ability to absorb moisture. Hence, in particular, the interest of using it in the floral drying process. The process requires minimal effort on your part. Simply fill a container halfway with a layer of silica, then arrange your flowers on it and carefully cover with a new layer of silica. Complete drying takes place after a few days to a few weeks, depending on the flowers.

Silica gel – the miraculous substance for drying flowers

How to proceed for drying in the microwave?

If you don't have the required patience, the fastest method is to dry the flowers inside a microwave -waves. There are also presses specially intended for such use. Or, you can replace them with ceramic tiles, tightened with a rubber band. Line the inside of the baking sheets only with paper towel, before pressing the flowers. Heat them on low power in the microwave at intervals of 30, 60 seconds. Stop to check the degree of dryness and continue if necessary, while allowing the plates to cool before returning to the microwave. Continue in this way until the flowers are sufficiently dehydrated. For a more satisfying result, complete the process by pressing the flowers inside a heavy book for 2.3 days.

The press in the microwave between two ceramic tiles

Tips: You could still bury the flower in silica gel and heat again at regular intervals of 30 seconds each. This, until the complete dehydration of the flower.

How to dry a bouquet? Forget it in the vase?

The last method is just as simple, but a little more time-consuming. You have received a pretty bouquet that you would like to keep as a souvenir. Nothing is easier than forgetting it in your vase without worrying about the amount of water. As time passes, you will become witnesses of its pretty transformation into a bouquet of faded flowers which have nevertheless retained their fresh beauty. The piece in question is perfect for decorating a chic country room.