How to Preserve Flowers

Co-authored by Lana Starr, AIFD and Madeleine Criglow

Last Updated: August 25, 2021

Flowers are beautiful yet fleeting. Or are they? There are numerous preservation methods to choose from if you’d like to make your flowers last longer. Whether you’ve got a single rose or a whole bouquet, make a memory last forever (or at least a very long time) through these preservation methods!

Question 1 of 8:

What are the different ways you can preserve flowers?

There are a variety of methods to choose from when preserving flowers. These methods range from very simple to more intensive, and there is an option for any level of crafting experience. This article will explore each technique so that you can find the best option for you!
- The simplest preservation methods include air-drying and pressing flowers with a book. Both methods are natural and require minimal materials.
- If you want to get a little craftier, try drying your flowers using silica sand or preserving them in resin. Leaving in them in water will preserve them, but not forever! They cannot stay preserved in a vase full of water.

Question 2 of 8:

How do you dry flowers to preserve them?

Gather string, a pair of scissors, and a means to hang the flowers to air dry. Air drying is a natural preservation method, so you won't need any extra materials or substances.^{[1]
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- First, remove any greenery you do not want to keep in the drying process.
- Tie the flowers together with string in the arrangement of your desire and cut the stems at the length you want.
- Tie the arrangement to the hanger away from direct sunlight for 3 to 4 weeks. Check on the flowers during the drying process and arrange them away from direct sunlight to ensure they last as long as possible!

Question 3 of 8:

How do you use books to preserve flowers?

Find a hardcover book, like a coffee table book or dictionary. The heavier the better! In addition, gather wax paper and some scissors.^{[2]
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- Cut your flower’s stem to the desired length, making sure it is short enough to fit the whole flower inside the book.
- Open the book and place two sheets of wax paper on either side. Close and reopen the book so that the wax paper is lodged in the crease, making the paper stay put.^{[3]
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- Place the flower at the center of the open book atop the wax paper. Close the book and periodically check on your flower once a week. After 3 to 4 weeks, take out your flower and display it however you desire!

Question 4 of 8:

How do you dry flowers using silica sand?

Use silica sand, water, and a microwave-safe container. This method works best if you are interested in preserving one flower instead of a whole bouquet, such as a single rose.^{[4]
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- Pour a 0.5-0.75 inch (1.3-1.9 cm) layer of silica sand in a microwave-safe container. Put the flower on top of the sand and add another layer of sand until the flower is no longer visible.
- Place the container in the microwave and sit a separate cup of hot water next to it in the microwave.
- Heat the flower and hot water container in the microwave for 30 seconds. Check on the flower and heat for 30 second intervals until it is completely dry.
- Once the flower is dry, take it out of the microwave and keep it covered in the silica sand for another 24 hours. After that, display the preserved flower to your heart’s content!

Question 5 of 8:

How do you preserve flowers in resin?

Use epoxy resin, a resin mold, and pre-dried flowers for this method. Since resin is dangerous to breathe in, grab a mask and gloves to wear while working with the substance. This method also calls for pre-dried flowers. Before going forward, use one of the previous methods like air-drying or book-pressing to dry the flowers of your choice. You can also purchase pre-dried flowers if you want to save time. Finally, find a pair of tweezers, a measuring cup, and a toothpick.^{[5]
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- Using your measuring cup, pour the resin into the mold of your choice. Do not fill to the top just yet.
- Use tweezers to place the dried flower in the resin. If you'd like, add some additional flourishes like beads and sequins to the resin. Pour another layer of resin to completely cover the flower and fill up the mold.
- Pop any air bubbles in the resin using a toothpick.
- Store in a safe place and wait 24 hours for the resin to cure. Once it is fully cured, the resin will be hard to the touch and ready to take out of the mold.

Question 6 of 8:

When is the best time to preserve flowers?

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Preserve your flowers right before they have fully opened. If you are cutting fresh flowers for drying purposes, it’s best to cut them at this time to help them retain as much color as possible.^{[6]
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When preserving pre-cut flowers or a bouquet, start the process as soon as possible. Although you may want to save that fresh wedding bouquet for a few days for sentimental reasons, beginning the preservation process immediately after use will ensure the best results and optimum color.^{[7]
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Question 7 of 8:

How can I make preserved flowers last as long as possible?

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Spray dried flowers with hairspray to ensure they last. After air drying flowers, using silica sand in the microwave, or even drying them in a book, spray the flowers with hairspray to preserve their optimum state.^{[8]
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Keep preserved flowers out of direct sunlight to avoid damage. Sunlight causes dried flowers to potentially crumble and lose their color. To keep your flower or full bouquet looking bright and beautiful, store your flowers in an area out of direct sunlight during the preservation process. Once you are ready to decorate, display them in a part of your home or office that is away from direct contact with the sun.^{[9]
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Preserved flowers can last 1 to 3 years. When properly cared for and kept out of direct sunlight, preserved or dried flowers can last years or even a lifetime.^{[10]
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Question 8 of 8:

What are some ways I can use preserved flowers to decorate?

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Decorate your mantle with dried roses. If you’d like to add a classic flourish to your living room, dry and preserve a selection of roses and arrange them on your mantle. Make sure to display them in an area that avoids direct contact with the sun. Keep an eye on them as time goes on so that they don’t end up crumbling or losing their color!^{[11]
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Display a dried bouquet in a decorative vase. A fresh bouquet is not the only thing you can display in a vase! Find a vase of your choice and arrange a whole bouquet of dried flowers. Place at the center of your dining room table or on your living room coffee table. These last much longer than dried flowers and don’t need any water.
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Hang resin-preserved flowers on the wall or wear them as jewelry. If you choose to preserve your flowers in resin, you have a plethora of options when it comes to decorating with them. Wear a single preserved flower as a necklace or pair of earrings, or hang a preserved flower on your wall for the world to see!

Expert Q&A

Question

How do you preserve flowers and keep their color?

Lana Starr, AIFD
Certified Floral Designer & Owner, Dream Flowers
Lana Starr is a Certified Floral Designer and the Owner of Dream Flowers, a floral design studio based in the San Francisco Bay Area. Dream Flowers specializes in events, weddings, celebrations, and corporate events. Lana has over 14 years of experience in the floral industry and her work has been featured in floral books and magazines such as International Floral Art, Fusion Flowers, Florist Review, and Nacre. Lana is a member of the American Institute of Floral Designers (AIFD) since 2016 and is a California Certified Floral Designer (CCF) since 2012.

Lana Starr, AIFD

Certified Floral Designer & Owner, Dream Flowers

Expert Answer

When dried, flowers will lose a little bit of their color and will also shrink. Keep this in mind as you choose flowers to preserve, as they'll be smaller and less vibrant than they are when fresh.
Question

What is a fast way to preserve flowers?

Community Answer

One of my favorite ways to keep my flowers fresh and looking lovely is to simply spray them with a little bit of hairspray. Also, try adding a sugar cube or a spoon full sugar to your water. The flower will use this as food. If you have a little bit of any clear soda with sugar left at the bottom of your bottle, add this to your vase with water. Like the sugar, the flowers will use the sugar in the soda as food.
Question

What is a way to preserve flowers without any chemicals?

Community Answer

Drying the flowers upside down or pressing them is a natural way to preserve flowers, though you should be warned that the effect is generally considered less pleasing than using chemicals. Using sand is another method that uses no chemicals.