How to Dry Flowers – 5 top Methods Tested

Ever wish you could hold on to the beauty of summer blooms forever? Well, you can! After years of experimenting with different flower-drying methods—some genius, some total flops—I’m sharing the 5 best ways to keep your flowers looking vibrant all year long.

In this guide, you’ll learn how to dry flowers using air drying, pressing, silica gel, food dehydrators, and even sand or kitty litter. I’ll walk you through each method step-by-step, highlight the pros and cons, and share my top recommendations to help you preserve your blooms beautifully and effortlessly.

Why dry Flowers?

I grow many flowers yearly—you might say I get a bit carried away! I cut fresh blooms daily in the summer, filling every corner of my home with floral beauty. But what about preserving those blooms beyond summer? Over the years, I’ve tested countless methods for drying flowers, and I’m here to share the best (and a few not-so-great) ways to keep those flowers looking beautiful all year long.

Dehydrating flowers is a fantastic way to keep their beauty alive for years, plus it can save you a bundle compared to buying pre-dried ones! Whether you’re interested in crafting with pressed flowers, creating charming vintage bouquets, or preserving a special arrangement, there’s a drying method just for you. Let’s dive into the top five methods together, complete with easy step-by-step instructions and a look at the pros and cons of each. It’s going to be fun!

Method 1: Air Drying (Classic & Easy)

Air drying is one of the oldest and simplest methods for dehydrating flowers. It works best for full bouquets or arrangements with stems intact and is perfect if you prefer a vintage, rustic look.

What You’ll Need:

• Fresh flowers
• String or rubber bands
• A dark, dry space with good airflow

Best Flowers for Air Drying:

• Roses
• Lavender
• Hydrangeas
• Strawflowers
• Yarrow

How to Air Dry Flowers:

1. Harvest flowers on a clear morning after the dew has dried. Pick blooms that aren’t fully open, as they will continue to open as they dry.
2. Bundle flowers in small bunches and secure them with string or rubber bands.
3. Hang the flower bunches upside down in a cool, dark place with good airflow. Avoid direct sunlight to prevent fading.
4. Leave flowers for 2-4 weeks. They’re done when the stems snap easily.

Pros:

• ✅ Easy and inexpensive
• ✅ Works well for large bouquets
• ✅ No special tools needed

Cons:

• ❌ Flowers lose vibrancy and shrink
• ❌ Petals become brittle
• ❌ Hit-or-miss results, especially with water-heavy flowers

Method 2: Pressing (Flat Flowers for Crafts)

Pressing flowers is a great craft method. It produces flat, delicate flowers perfect for scrapbooking, card-making, and even DIY wallpaper.

What You’ll Need:

• Heavy books or a flower press
• Non-bleached paper or watercolor paper

Best Flowers for Pressing:

• Pansies
• Cosmos
• Queen Anne’s Lace
• Geraniums
• Forget-Me-Nots

How to Press Flowers:

1. Pick fresh flowers after the morning dew dries.
2. Place flowers between sheets of paper to prevent color transfer.
3. Press flowers in a heavy book or a DIY flower press.
4. Leave them for 30 days to dry completely.

Pros:

• ✅ Cheap and easy
• ✅ Produces beautiful flat flowers
• ✅ Perfect for crafts

Cons:

• ❌ Takes up to 30 days
• ❌ Flowers lose scent
• ❌ Not suitable for large or thick flowers

Method 3: Silica Gel (Best for Vibrant Color)

Silica gel is the best method for preserving the shape and color of large, delicate flowers like roses or peonies. You can even speed up the process using a microwave.

What You’ll Need:

• Silica gel
• Airtight container
• Dust mask and gloves

Best Flowers for Silica Gel Drying:

• Roses
• Peonies
• Sunflowers
• Dahlias

How to Use Silica Gel:

1. Place flowers in an airtight container and cover them with silica gel.
2. Leave them for 3-5 days (or use a microwave for faster results).
3. Gently remove flowers and dust off any remaining gel.
4. You could also use the microwave set on a medium setting for 30 second increments – but you will need to check often to see how far along your flowers are in the drying process.

Pros:

• ✅ Retains color and shape
• ✅ Fastest method (especially with a microwave)
• ✅ Flowers look almost fresh

Cons:

• ❌ Silica gel can be expensive
• ❌ Requires safety precautions (dust mask, gloves)
• ❌ Flowers can be fragile after drying

Method 4: Food Dehydrator (Quick & Easy)

A food dehydrator is a simple, hands-off way to dry flowers quickly. It’s great for bulk drying small to medium flowers.

What You’ll Need:

• Food dehydrator
• Scissors or pruners

Best Flowers for Dehydrator Drying:

• Zinnias
• Marigolds
• Daisies
• Echinacea

How to Use a Food Dehydrator:

1. Cut flower stems close to the heads.
2. Place flowers in a single layer on dehydrator trays.
3. Dry at 135°F for 4-12 hours, depending on flower size.
4. Seal dried flowers with hairspray or Mod Podge.

Pros:

• ✅ Quick and easy
• ✅ Ideal for bulk drying
• ✅ Minimal effort

Cons:

• ❌ Some flowers lose scent
• ❌ Over-drying makes petals brittle
• ❌ Dehydrator trays may retain floral scents

Method 5: Sand or Kitty Litter (Messy but Effective)

Dehydrating flowers with sand or kitty litter is similar to silica gel but less expensive. It takes longer, and results can vary.

What You’ll Need:

• Sand or kitty litter
• Airtight container

Best Flowers for Sand/Kitty Litter Drying:

• Zinnias
• Daisies
• Carnations

How to Use Sand or Kitty Litter:

1. Place flowers in a container and cover them with sand or kitty litter.
2. Leave them for 10-21 days.
3. Gently remove flowers and dust off any remaining sand.

Pros:

• ✅ Inexpensive
• ✅ Works in a pinch