Preserve Your Favorite Flowers With These Three Easy Drying Methods: Air Drying, Silica Gel, and the Microwave
Whether you’re feeling nostalgic for the ’70s or simply embracing the DIY spirit of the modern maker movement, dried flowers are having a major comeback. They’re ideal for wreaths, long-lasting arrangements, or craft projects—and preserving blooms from your own garden is a satisfying way to extend the joy of your harvest. Luckily, it’s easy to dry flowers, whether you air dry them, microwave them, or use silica gel. Here’s how to do it right—and how to get your dried flowers to last as long as possible.
Air Drying Flowers the Old-Fashioned Way
For most blooms, nature provides the easiest drying method. Hardy blooms like hydrangeas or globe thistles can air-dry by simply setting them in an empty vase in a cool, dry space. You’ll have more success, however, if you hang them upside down—this will help keep them from drooping as they dry.
What You’ll Need:
Flowers
Garden scissors or floral snips
String or dental floss
Optional: a fan to improve air circulation
Step-by-Step Instructions:
Choose flowers that are not yet completely open and just shy of maturity. Flowers will continue to open while drying, and mature flowers will shed petals.
Cut them with sharp scissors or snips in the morning, after any dew has evaporated.
Trim away excess leaves and foliage.
Tie flowers in small bunches or leave individual. Tie using string or floss, and hang upside down in a dark, cool, dry place. Ensure there is air movement between bunches—use a low fan if needed.
Let flowers dry for a few days or weeks, depending on the flower type and environment. Larger flowers will take longer.
Tip: Tie stems to a hanger for easier and neater drying.
Microwave Drying for Quick Results
Ideal if you’re short on time. Using silica sand or a borax and cornmeal mixture, you can dry flowers quickly and successfully.
What You’ll Need:
Flowers
Garden scissors or floral snips
Shallow, microwave-safe dish
Silica sand or a borax (sodium borate) and cornmeal mixture
Step-by-Step Instructions:
Choose slightly immature flowers, as fully open flowers can lose petals. Cut in the morning, after the dew has dried.
Cut off stems and place flower heads in the container.
Cover gently with silica sand or your drying mix. For trumpet-shaped blooms, fill their centers to help them retain shape.
Microwave on high for one minute. Check for dryness, then microwave in 30-second increments until fully dry. Thick petals are slower.
Let the flowers steep in the mixture for at least 24 hours to finish drying.
Drying Using Silica Gel to Retain Color and Shape
Silica gel (or floral drying crystals) is a superior option for retaining both color and shape—great for full, lush flowers like peonies.
Materials Needed:
Flowers
Garden scissors or floral snips
Silica gel
Shallow dis
Soft makeup brus
Optional: floral tape and hot glue
Step-by-Step Instructions:
Choose flowers that are not fully open. Cut in the morning, after dew has dried.
For small flowers, place directly into the dish. For larger flowers, cut stems about an inch below the head and dry stems and heads separately.
Gently bury the flowers in silica gel so that they are entirely covered.
Allow them to sit for one to two days, depending on size, until they are completely dry. Once dry, gently shake off excess crystals and wipe petals clean with a soft brush
For larger flowers, reattach stems using hot glue and floral tape if needed.
How to Make Your Dried Flowers Last
Dried flowers can last for months—even years—with a bit of TLC. Attempt these maintenance concepts to keep them looking their best:
Keep out of direct sunlight to prevent fading.
Do not place close to heat sources or vents
Dust lightly with a feather duster as needed.
Store in a dry, cool box away from heat and moisture.
