Drying fresh flowers - method without losing colour

Preserving flowers forever - drying & preserving bouquets

There is hardly anything more beautiful than a fresh bouquet of flowers that fills a room with life and colour. But what if you could preserve this beauty forever? Drying flowers is a wonderful way to permanently preserve your favourite flowers. It is particularly popular to dry the bridal bouquet to keep the memories of this special day alive. But how do you dry flowers properly without them losing their radiant colour? Here you can find out everything you need to know to dry and preserve flowers such as roses, hydrangeas and peonies properly.

Which flowers are particularly suitable for drying?

Not all flowers are equally suitable for drying. Some lose their shape and colour quickly, while others can retain almost all of their beauty. Here are some flowers that are particularly suitable for drying:

Roses
hydrangeas
lavender
gypsophila
Eucalyptus
Peonies
Sunflowers
Strawflowers

When is the best time to dry flowers?

The best time to dry flowers is when they are in full bloom and showing their most intense colours.

Instructions & methods: What is the best way to dry flowers?

There are different methods for drying flowers and each has its advantages and disadvantages. Here we present the best techniques to minimise the loss of flower colour during drying.

Drying bouquets in the fresh air

The most classic method is probably air drying. To do this, tie the flowers loosely together at the bottom of the stem to form small bouquets and hang them upside down in a dry, dark and well-ventilated place. The shade prevents the colours from fading. This method is particularly suitable for flowers such as roses and lavender. A little tip: if you spray the bouquet with hairspray, the petals will remain more stable and the colours more intense.

Hanging flowers to dry

Drying flowers in the oven

A slightly quicker method is to dry them in the oven. Place the flowers on a baking tray lined with baking paper and dry them at around 30-40 °C for several hours. Leave the oven door slightly open so that the moisture can escape. Caution: Check the flowers regularly and do not leave them unattended while they are in the oven. This method is particularly suitable for flowers that need to dry quickly, such as yellow flowers like sunflowers.

Pressing flowers

Another simple method is to press flowers. Place the flowers between two sheets of kitchen paper and press them in a heavy book. Leave the flowers to dry for a few weeks until they are completely flat and dry. This technique is ideal for flowers that you want to use later in a book or for DIY projects. This method is the best way to preserve the colours of the flowers and can also be used to dry tulips and lilies.

Drying flowers with drying salt or washing powder

Drying with drying salt or washing powder is a lesser-known but very effective method. Cover the flowers completely with drying salt or washing powder in an airtight container. After about a week, the flowers will be dry and retain their colours very well. Important: You should always wear gloves when using this method and use odourless detergent.

Drying flowers with silica gel (silicate gel)

Silica gel is another excellent way to dry flowers without losing colour. The gel absorbs the moisture from the flowers without them losing their shape or colour. Fill an airtight container with a layer of silica gel, place the flowers inside and cover them completely with the gel. After a few days, the flowers will be completely dry. Always wear gloves when working with silica gel.

Drying flowers with glycerine

Drying with glycerine is a method in which the flowers retain their flexibility and colour particularly well. Mix a solution of two parts water and one part glycerine and place the flowers in this mixture. After about two weeks, the flowers will be completely dry and feel soft and supple.

Preserving and storing dried flowers

Once you have successfully dried your flowers, you should store them properly to preserve their beauty. Store the flowers in a dry, sun-protected place to prevent them from fading. Occasionally spraying them with hairspray can help the flowers last longer.

Which flowers are not suitable for drying?

Some flowers are less suitable for drying as they do not retain their shape or colour well. These include

Delicate flowers such as daisies
Flowers with very thin petals that quickly become brittle
Flowers that fade quickly, such as poppies

Frequently asked questions

How do flowers retain their colour when drying?

To preserve the colours of the flowers, it is important to protect them from direct sunlight. Special methods such as drying with silica gel or using hairspray can also help to preserve the colours.

How long do flowers need to dry?

The drying time varies depending on the method. In the air, flowers usually take 2-3 weeks. In the oven, the process can take a few hours, while pressing requires several weeks.

When to spray flowers with hairspray?

Hairspray should be used as soon as the flowers are completely dry. It fixes the petals and can help to intensify the colours and maintain the shape of the flowers.

With these tips and techniques, you can preserve your favourite flowers for many years to come and create a beautiful decoration for your home. Have fun trying them out!