The easiest method is air drying: tie the flowers into small bunches and hang them upside down in a dark, dry and airy spot for 2–3 weeks. Darkness preserves the colour, and good air circulation prevents mould. Hardy flowers like statice, lavender, hydrangea and pampas grass work best. Afterwards, they'll look beautiful in a vase for months.
Dried flowers are here to stay – they're beautiful, long-lasting and give a calm, natural look. And you can easily dry them yourself at home. Here's the easy method that works every time, plus a few alternatives for more delicate flowers.
Which flowers?
Some flowers dry almost by themselves, while others fall apart. The best for home drying are hardy varieties with low water content:
- Statice, statice limonium and everlasting flowers
- Lavender and other herbs
- Hydrangea, gypsophila (baby's breath) and roses
- Pampas grass and other grasses
Air drying step by step
- Harvest or buy the flowers while they're fresh – ideally just before they're fully in bloom.
- Remove the lower leaves, and tie them into small, loose bunches with string.
- Hang them upside down, so the stems dry straight.
- Choose a dark, dry and airy spot – such as a cupboard or attic.
- Let them hang for 2–3 weeks, until they're completely dry.
Tip: Light fades the colours. The darker the flowers hang, the better they'll keep their colour. Direct sunlight quickly makes them pale and brittle.
Other methods
For delicate flowers or quicker results, there are alternatives: pressing between book pages gives flat flowers for cards and frames, while silica gel (desiccant) preserves the shape of full-bodied flowers like roses particularly well. Microwave with silica gel is the quick shortcut – but takes a bit of practice.
Overview of methods
| Method | Best for | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Air drying | Most bouquets and grasses | 2–3 weeks |
| Pressing | Flat flowers for cards/frames | 2–4 weeks |
| Silica gel | Full-bodied flowers (roses) | A few days |
How to style them afterwards
Dried flowers look their best in a vase without water – ideally one with a neck that gathers the stems together. Keep the bouquet airy, and feel free to mix in a few grasses for height and movement. A single bundle of pampas in a calm vase is enough to give a whole room character.
Frequently asked questions
How do you dry flowers?
Tie them into small bundles and hang them upside down in a dark, dry and airy spot for 2–3 weeks.
Why should flowers hang upside down?
So the stems dry straight and the flower head keeps its shape instead of drooping.
Which flowers are best for drying?
Robust varieties like statice, lavender, hydrangea, gypsophila, roses and pampas grass.
How long do dried flowers last?
Several months – often more than a year – if kept dry and out of direct sunlight.
Should dried flowers have water in the vase?
No. Dried flowers belong in a dry vase. Water will make them go mouldy.
Summary
Air-drying is the simplest way to get beautiful dried flowers: tie them into bundles, hang them upside down in a dark, airy spot, and wait a couple of weeks. Choose robust varieties, keep them away from light, and style them in a dry vase. That way, you'll have natural decoration that lasts for months.
Read also
- Dried flowers in the vase: how to style them
- How big should the vase be for my bouquet?
- How to make tulips & cut flowers last longer in the vase
Find the perfect vase for your dried flowers among our vases.
