How to Dry Flowers: 4 Easy Methods for Beautiful Results

Where to Start

Drying flowers is an old art form that has gained traction in popularity due to all the wonderful benefits, like all the uses for dried flowers, the fact that it’s very easy to do, and you can enjoy your flowers for longer!

There are plenty of ways you can dry your flowers. In this article, I’ll break down four methods that are great for beginners and beyond. They include air drying, pressing, microwave drying, and using silica sand.

When choosing a method for drying your flowers, keep these in mind:

• Type of flowers you’re using.
• Amount of time you want to put into drying your flowers.
• If you’ll have to purchase extra supplies.
• What you plan on doing with your dried flowers.

#1. Air Drying

Air drying flowers is simple and easy, and can be done with items found in your home. Choose this method if you aren’t sure what you want to do with your flowers yet and don’t have much time to spend drying them.

DRYING TIME: 2 weeks

NOTES: Least expensive, flowers may fade depending on the type

USES FOR DRIED FLOWERS USING THIS METHOD: Display in a vase, wreath, flower crown, petal confetti, potpourri, gift packaging

TOOLS:

• rubber bands or twine
• hanger/hook
• scissors

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Remove leaves from the stems.
2. Trim the stems using your scissors, if desired, making sure to leave at least 6 inches of stem.
3. Divide your flowers into small bunches to avoid crowding and tie each bundle together using rubber bands or twine.
4. Hang them from a hook or hanger in a dark, dry place like an attic or closet.
5. Check on your flowers in about 2-3 weeks.

BEST FLOWERS FOR THIS METHOD:

• strawflowers
• goldenrod
• hydrangeas
• xeranthemum
• celosia (crested and plumed types)
• Queen Ann’s lace
• statice
• baby’s breath
• millet
• globe amaranth
• salvia

#2. Pressing

Pressing flowers can lead to stunning results. Some flowers do not press very well, so it’s important to make sure your flowers will work with this method. 

DRYING TIME: 3-4 weeks

NOTES: Easiest, least amount of tools needed

USES FOR DRIED FLOWERS USING THIS METHOD: Framed as a whole bouquet or wall art, in a resin serving tray or coasters, gift packaging, in your phone case, resin jewelry

TOOLS:

• heavy book(s)
• paper towel, newspaper, acid-free paper (**parchment paper will not soak up moisture and will cause flowers to mold)
• flower press (optional)

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Cut the stem of each flower as close to the flower as you can.
2. Fold your paper towel, newspaper or parchment paper in half and open it back up to set your flowers inside.
3. Place your trimmed flower face down on your chosen paper.
4. Close the book and place 2-3 heavy books on top of it.
5. Leave it for 3-4 weeks to dry or until ready to use.

BEST FLOWERS FOR THIS METHOD:

• aster
• bleeding heart
• buttercup
• lakspur
• marigold
• rose
• chrysanthemum
• columbine
• cosmos
• lily-of-the-valley
• pansy
• sweet pea
• zannia
• dahlia
• dogwood
• English daisy
• geranium
• poppy
• violet

#3. Microwave Drying

Pressing your flowers in the microwave lends to surprisingly beautiful results. It can be done with items found in your home (heavy bowl and paper towels), but a flower press meant for the microwave is recommended as it helps retain color of flowers and prevents browning.

DRYING TIME: 2-3 minutes

NOTES: Quickest, many flowers retain the color well so brightly colored flowers dry best

USES FOR DRIED FLOWERS USING THIS METHOD: Framed as a whole bouquet or wall art, in a resin serving tray or coasters, gift packaging, in your phone case, resin jewelry

TOOLS:

• heavy microwave-safe bowl
• paper towel
• scissors
• microwave flower press (optional, but recommended)

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Cut the stem of each flower as close to the flower as you can.
2. Fold your paper towel in half and open it back up to set your flowers inside.
3. Place your trimmed flower face down on your paper towel and set your heavy microwave-safe dish on top. Do not push down or add pressure as this can damage the flower.
4. Place in the microwave at full power for 20 seconds.
5. Check on the flowers and move them to another part of the paper towel if wet and can move the flowers without damaging them (as they get more dried out they will be easier to remove from the paper towel.)
6. Repeat this process until the flowers are dry and crisp. It’s important to check every 20 seconds and potentially sooner if microwaving longer than a minute as your flowers can burn/brown in just a few seconds too long.
7. Store flowers in a container, book, or binder away from sunlight.

BEST FLOWERS FOR THIS METHOD:

• lillies
• roses
• violets
• dahlia
• zinnias

#4. Silica Sand

Silica sand is a type of crystal you submerge your fresh flowers in to dry them out in their original form. Out of all methods, flowers dried using silica are most similar to what the original flowers look like – shape and color. Some flowers may not work well with this method due to being too delicate.

Whenever you work with silica sand it’s important to have proper personal protective equipment (PPE) that includes a respirator and gloves.

DRYING TIME: 1-3 weeks

NOTES: Prettiest – results are closest to original flower shape and color, most expensive, most amount of effort required, PPE required, silica sand can be dried in the oven and reused

*The flowers will sometimes reabsorb moisture and wilt. For best success with flowers dried in silica sand, display your flowers in a closed container (such as a shadow box) to keep out dust and high humidity.*

TOOLS:

• silica sand
• large containers dedicated to flower drying
• respirator mask
• nitrile gloves
• scissors

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Cut off your flower stems as close to the flower as you can.
2. Wearing your mask and gloves, partially fill a container with silica sand and place flowers in the container stem side down.
3. Gently sift silica sand around your flowers until covered, adding more sand to your container if necessary to submerge your flowers.
4. Cover and leave your flowers to dry for at least a week. Some flowers may take closer to 3 weeks to fully dry.
5. Once fully dried, carefully remove your flowers from the silica sand and gently shake off excess sand into your container. Some flowers may require you to use a small brush to remove any sand stuck in between petals.
6. If you won’t be using flowers right away, store them in a container with a little silica sand at the bottom.

BEST FLOWERS FOR THIS METHOD:

• rose
• aster
• geranium
• carnation
• marigold
• zinnia
• delphinium
• dahlia
• larkspur
• chrysanthemum

Conclusion

The art is drying flowers is relatively simple once you determine the best method for your type of flower and what you plan on doing with your dried flowers.

Whether you dry your flowers by hanging them, pressing them in a book, putting them in the microwave, or submerging them in silica sand, you are sure to be left with beautifully dried flowers that you can enjoy for years.