How To Dry Flowers - We Tested 5 Different Methods To Find The Best!

Maybe your like

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.

Dried flowers pulled from silica gel after 2 weeks. The flowers are vibrant, and look like paper.

Why dry Flowers?
Method 1: Air Drying (Classic & Easy)
Method 2: Pressing (Flat Flowers for Crafts)
Method 3: Silica Gel (Best for Vibrant Color)
Method 4: Food Dehydrator (Quick & Easy)
Method 5: Sand or Kitty Litter (Messy but Effective)
Comparison Table: Drying Methods
Our Top Recommendation
FAQ Section
Related Posts
Wrap-Up: Which Method Will You Try First?

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!

hanging bundles of flowers set out to dry against rustic wooden door.

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:

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.
Bundle flowers in small bunches and secure them with string or rubber bands.
Hang the flower bunches upside down in a cool, dark place with good airflow. Avoid direct sunlight to prevent fading.
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

A bouquet of dried pink roses against a bright white background.

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:

Pick fresh flowers after the morning dew dries.
Place flowers between sheets of paper to prevent color transfer.
Press flowers in a heavy book or a DIY flower press.
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

Dried flower pansies in purples and bright yellow centers.

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:

Place flowers in an airtight container and cover them with silica gel.
Leave them for 3-5 days (or use a microwave for faster results).
Gently remove flowers and dust off any remaining gel.
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

Flower heads in a bowl about to be covered with silica gel.

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:

Cut flower stems close to the heads.
Place flowers in a single layer on dehydrator trays.
Dry at 135°F for 4-12 hours, depending on flower size.
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

Brightly colored flowers resting on dehydrator trays.

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:

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

Pros:

✅ Inexpensive
✅ Works in a pinch

Cons:

❌ Inconsistent results
❌ Flowers can be easily damaged
❌ Messy

Flowers dried in kitty litter provide decent color retention.

Comparison Table: Drying Methods

Method	Best For	Time Required	Cost	Color Retention	Difficulty
Air Drying	Bouquets	2-4 weeks	$	Low	Easy
Pressing	Flat flowers	30 days	$	Medium	Easy
Silica Gel	Large, delicate	3-5 days	$$$	High	Moderate
Food Dehydrator	Bulk drying	4-12 hours	$$	Medium	Easy
Sand/Kitty Litter	Budget drying	10-21 days	$	Low	Messy

Our Top Recommendation

After testing all five methods, pressing and silica gel drying are my favorites.

Pressing is perfect for craft projects and is super affordable.
Silica gel drying creates the most realistic, vibrant dried flowers.

The air-dry method is excellent for bouquets but expect some fading. Food dehydrators are ideal for bulk drying, but watch out for scent transfer. Sand/kitty litter works, but it’s messy and inconsistent.

A beautiful display of dried flowers in pinks orange and red.

Expert Tips for Drying Flowers like a pro

Plan For Imperfections

Not every flower will dry perfectly, and that’s okay! Nature is imperfect, and dried flowers often have a rustic charm that adds character to your projects. Dry more flowers than you need to account for any losses.

Use a Fixative To Retain Color

Hairspray, Mod Podge, or spray varnish can help preserve the vibrant color of your dried flowers and prevent petals from becoming brittle over time. Just make sure the spray is non-yellowing.

Pick Flowers at the Right Time

Always harvest flowers in the morning after the dew has dried but before the heat of the day. This is when flowers are at their freshest, which ensures the best drying results.

Avoid Water Heavy Flowers

Flowers with high water content, like lilies or tulips, can be tricky to dry. Stick to drought-tolerant blooms like lavender, roses, and strawflowers for the best results.

FAQ Section

Can I dry flowers in the oven?

Yes, you can! However, oven drying is best for small and sturdy flowers. Set your oven to its lowest temperature and place the flowers on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Check them every 30 minutes to prevent burning.

Which flowers dry best?

Flowers with lower water content tend to dry better. Some of the best flowers for drying include roses, lavender, hydrangeas, pansies, and daisies.

How long do dried flowers last?

Dried flowers can last for years if properly stored and cared for. To maintain their appearance, keep them out of direct sunlight and in a low-humidity environment. Check out our complete guide here.

Do dried flowers attract bugs?

Dehydrated flowers can attract bugs if not adequately treated. To prevent this, seal your dried flowers with a light coat of hairspray or Mod Podge and store them in a sealed container when not on display.

Wrap-Up: Which Method Will You Try First?

Dehydrating flowers is a timeless craft that allows you to preserve nature’s beauty in your home. Whether you prefer the ease of air drying, the precision of silica gel, or the creativity of pressed flowers, there’s a method for everyone.

We’d love to hear about your flower-dehydrating adventures! Which method do you plan to try first? Have a tip or trick we missed? Leave a comment below or tag us on Instagram with your creations.

Author: Laura Kennedy

Writer & Owner of Little Yellow Wheelbarrow

Laura is a highly skilled gardener and fervent flower enthusiast. Despite her playful battle with plant spacing guidelines, Laura’s work inspires gardeners to create thriving, beautiful spaces that reflect both creativity and sustainability.

Editor’s Note: This post was originally published on January 30, 2022, and was updated on January 7, 2025, to improve readability and reader experience.

Share With Your Friends PinterestFacebookRedditWhatsAppMastodon23.3kSHARES

Previous PreviousGrow Cinderella Pumpkins for High Yield Harvests.NextContinue Types Of Mint Plants: How To Grow And Use Popular Mint Varieties

33 Comments

Hi! Thanks for such thorough feedback on these methods. I’m getting married in a few weeks and was hoping to use my wedding flowers in a resin project to create an ornament, tea light holder, and wine stopper. The directions say to dry the flowers first so I’m planning to use your silica gel method. If I’m going to use resin afterwards is it still a good idea to use the mod podge spray? Thanks!!
Reply
1. Hi Lisa, first congratulations on your upcoming nuptials! No need to use the spray if you are going to use resin, the resin will protect the flowers better than the spray. My only tip is to make sure those flowers are good and dry before adding them to the resin, if they have even a wee bit of moisture, they can still discolor.
  Reply
Thank you so much! I want to get in to flower drying and this was very helpful. I especially am excited about the idea of making presses flower wallpaper.
Reply
1. OH, pressed flower wallpaper is something I am VERY interested in Sarah, I would love to see what you do! So glad you found the post helpful and I am so thankful that you left a comment. Thank you so much! (if you do make your wallpaper I would absolutely love to see it!). Cheers
  Reply
Hello! I’m new to pressing and drying flowers. If I use a dehydrator will the flowers flatten out enough to use between two pieces of glass? Can I press and then put them in a dehydrator? I recently pressed some little yard flowers with cardboard and cinder blocks for a few weeks. Though they pressed wonderfully and seemed totally dry, now that they are in a frame between glass pieces I’m noticing that some are discoloring and browning. Your post was the most informative I’ve read yet. Thank you for that!
Reply
1. Hey Kari, sorry for the late reply. If you use a dehydrator, the flowers won’t quite press well enough between two panes of glass, you will need to flatten them in order for them not to crumble or break before putting them into glass. with that said that, some really flat flowers with thing petals and not large mounded centers like cosmos would work, but you would have to test a few first to make sure.
  Reply
I would like to know what is the starch spray and how does the dehydration process that is described in the link below https://www.zaask.pt/blog/o-que-fazer-com-o-bouquet-de-noiva-apos-o-casamento/
Reply
1. Hi, I checked out the article and they really do not give a lot of details to their process, so I honestly cannot answer the question. I have never dried flowers in the oven so I cannot give you any advice. If you want to send me an email to let me know what you are trying to do, I can give you some advice on what I would do in your situation to ensure my flowers were dried well. Cheers
  Reply
  1. Hi! Thank you!
    Reply
Hi I have some green leaves and babys breath and a dead white rose dried out since my daughters wedding, I put it between a heavy book and want to seal them some way and frame it, any suggestions?? Regards teresa .
Reply
1. Hi Teresa, if they are already dry, they will last a really long time. I wouldn’t put any sealer on them now. I would use a small thin picture frame box for your rose and baby’s breath. This will protect the dried flowers from dust, and give you a treasured memento of your daughter’s wedding you can display and enjoy for years to come.
  Reply
Hi Laura, Thank you for the information! So maybe I missed it, but you suggest mod podge to seal them after microwave/silica method, but the only mod podge I know of, and use, is a liquid. Are you suggesting that you brush it on? Seems like that would damage the flowers to me. Is there a spray mod podge? I don’t want them to look artificial/shiny. I am planning to make and sell flower crowns at medieval and renaissance festivals so the more natural-looking the better. Thank you, Jane
Reply
1. Hi Jane, Mod Podge does come in a spray, it’s an acrylic sealer and it works great for preserving flowers after they are dried. It comes in glossy, and matte and the matte is barely noticeable at all. The acyclic sealer may be exactly what you’re looking for because it will help preserve, but it will also give the flowers a bit more protection and stability.
  
  I LOVE the idea of making flower crowns for medieval festivals. Anything medieval floats my boat for some reason, I have always been fascinated by that time in history and the mythos and fictionalization of that time frame. I’d love to see one of your crowns!
  Reply
Hi! Very interesting article. I’m about to play with the silica gel. However I read something about hairspray….. do I apply that before or after putting into the gel?
Reply
1. Hi Amanda, I haven’t had great success with hairspray, I find it deteriorates the flowers after they have been dried. If you are going to use hairspray apply it after you use the silica gel. If you are looking to apply something to give the protection and stiffness of the flowers I would suggest using a spray-on clear coat instead of hairspray. Great question, thanks for commenting!
  Reply
Hi there! I am new to drying flowers and whether I use silica gel or the Microfleur, some of the petals are turning brown, but the middle still has moisture. Even my daisies are drying with brown petals, but the middle is still moist. With the Microfleur I have been following the directions and drying them at short intervals. If you could help in any way, I would truly appreciate it. Thanks so much!
Reply
1. Hi there Michelle, so a few things. The first thing I would adjust is the power of your microwave, it sounds like it is overheating the petals before they have a chance to dry.
  
  When I add my daisies to the silica gel, I cover them well. I add at least 1/2 to an inch of silica gel over the top. Without that layer of protection on the top, the petals of the flower will turn brown.
  
  Your centers may be damp, if you pull your flowers after a rain or after a dew, the petals will dry, but the centers will retain quite a bit of moisture. If this is what is happening, I would suggested picking your flowers on a bright sunny day mid-morning after everything has had a chance to dry. If that is not an option you can slow dry your flowers by covering them with the silica gel and let them sit for a few days. This will ensure everything is perfectly dry , and nothing turns brown. It is a much slower method, but it will yield the results that you want. Cheers!
  Reply
Excellent information on drying flowers. I also prefer to microwave dry my flowers, I seem to get the best results. Now that you’ve preserved all these beautiful pressed flowers may I ask how you’re storing them>
Reply
1. Hi Julie, I also like the microwave for flower petals, and to speed up the silica gel.
  
  I pressed, dried, and stored 100’s of flowers this summer for fall and winter projects. I find the best way to store pressed flowers is in a book, or keep them in between cardboard layers until it is time to use them. I keep a large acid free sketchbook, and as my flowers are finished pressed, they add them to the book, color coding as I go. The pages keep them perfectly flat, and help to prevent breakage until I am ready to use them.
  
  Flowers that have been dehydrated or dried with silica get take a bit more storage effort to keep their shape. Flat-faced flowers like cosmos, or daisies I layout in a box and carefully place a few layers of tissue paper over them, and layer the box with tissue paper and dried flowers about 3 flower layers deep. I also add a desiccant package to the box, just to make sure they do not get moist in storage. Those boxes of dried flowers go to my driest room, usually the one with the dehumidifier. This method also works for smaller tight petaled flowers like pom-pom zinnias, or marigolds.
  
  For the larger fluffier more delicate flowers I either try to use them right away in whatever project, or I store them single layers in a cardboard box layered with tissue paper and a desiccant package.
  
  So a little more information about the desiccant packages – they usually come in boxes of shipments, like shoes, or electronics, purses, and I always tuck mine away specifically for this purpose. If you have silica gel you can make your own by adding a tsp of silica gel to a small mesh bag.
  
  This was a really great question Julie, and I am glad you asked it. I will update the post this week to include this information. Thanks so much for leaving a comment! Cheers.
  Reply
Hi! Can you please recommend me some small and cute flowers that I can press? Thank you
Reply
1. Hi Jamie, I pressed some million bell flowers this summer from my hanging petunia baskets. They pressed beautifully and maintained their color very well. They were by far my favorites. They are small, and vivid and most have a bit of color variation. I also tested some small wax begonias, and those pressed beautifully, although I did have a few fold over. It’s tough to get them to lay flat and co-operate, but the ones that I did manage to dry were cute and colorful.
  
  Bachelor buttons, forget me not, small cosmos, poppies (the flat kind, not the fluffy), pansies, chamomile, any of the “pinks”, baby’s breath, foxglove, blossoms from lobelia (they dry very dark purple, even if the flowers are bright bright blue), but they are very small delicate and beautiful. Snow in summer is a good choice too.
  
  I’d say if you look at a flower and like it, and you can lay it flat and the center isn’t too thick, you shouldn’t have any problems pressing most of the smaller flowers. It’s mostly trial and error, but I can tell you that I have successfully dried all the flowers I mentioned above by pressing.
  
  Thanks for the question!
  Reply
  1. Thank you for that generous answer! I love you! I want to have a pressed flower resin necklace business so I really have to research about flowers. Btw, do the flowers you recommended can live on a hot country like Philippines?
    Reply
    1. Hi Jamie, you know I am not sure because I am not familiar with the climate or growing seasons of areas like the Philippines. Most of them I would say wouldn’t be a problem with a warm climate and adequate moisture, zinnias, for example, would thrive. I would check with a local greenhouse, or seed company in the Philippines and see what is available. I am envious of your warm climate. It’s going to snow here today!
      Reply
Can you preserve a poinsettia bloom?
Reply
1. Hi Corrie, that is one I am not sure of because I have personally never tried. I did some research and cannot find any reference to preserving dried poinsettia blooms. When poinsettia season rolls around I will test it, but it will be a while before I start to see those plants in our local stores. Sorry, I don’t have more information on hand!
  Reply
I would like to know what is best for drying flowers (of any kind), a professional dehydrator or a microwave? I have used a microwave before with excellent results, but you do have to keep a close eye on things as some need a longer period a couple minutes vs only a minute. If they are left too long, they will burn. If I spend the money on a dehydrator, what is the benefit of using one instead of a microwave?
Reply
1. Hi Liz, the only benefit to using a dehydrator over the microwave is volume. You can do a lot more with stackable trays. With that said, if you’re only doing few at a time, buying a dehydrator just for flowers may be a bit of an overkill. If you’re doing a lot of flowers, it works great. The only thing about the dehydrator is you’re limited by the height of the flowers. I find with mine, I can only do small head flowers, like a daisy, or pom-pom zinnias. Lower profile flowers work best. Pros and cons with both for sure, but you won’t accidentally burn any flowers in a dehydrator.
  Reply
Hi thankyou for sharing all these tips, i am going to try the pressing between cardboard and watercolour paper. I am just starting resin casting and want flowers to go into my pieces. Can shop flowers be used? Angela😊🌸🏵🌹🥀🌺🌻🌼🌿☘
Reply
1. Hi Angela, You can absolutely use shop flowers. I’ve done it very successfully with shop flowers. So long as the flower can press flat and has enough time to dry, it should be fine. It takes a bit of testing. Right now I am pressing as many of my summer flowers as I can for a big resin casting project, and I have them between cardboard pressed between cinderblocks outside! Good luck!
  Reply
Hi,I recently picked many variety of flowers, to dry out. I put them between waxed paper and put heavy books on them. When I opened the book to remove the flowers, many had gone bad. Why was that? Also I dried flowers another time and made a beautiful framed picture for my granddaughters, but did not modge podge it or spray any hair spray on them. Will they be alright? Thank you. Pp
Reply
1. HI Pamala! The wax paper likely trapped moisture from the flowers and that is what caused them to rot. Moisture is the enemy for drying and for long time storage. The recommendation is to press flowers between cardboard with extra sheets of archival paper, like watercolor paper. The archival paper tends to be more porous, and it wicks away any excess moisture. The archival paper is also acid-free, so pressing between two sheets will not deteriorate your flowers like other papers could. Personally, when I am pressing, I just go for the cardboard. I find the cardboard works fine on its own. Unless the flowers are special, and I want to ensure they press perfectly, I will just opt to place my flowers between simple sheets of cardboard. Hope that helps!
  Reply
Wow…. this was such a great post, and so exhaustive! I’m so imPRESSED! 😉 Pinning!
Reply
1. I somehow missed this comment, Julie, so sorry for the late response. Thanks for the comment. I dried so many flowers this summer I need a separate room to keep them in – my husband keeps saying ” do you have plans for these ” – like who has plans for this stuff… I need an intervention I think. Cheers!
  Reply

Table of contents

Why dry Flowers?

Method 1: Air Drying (Classic & Easy)

What You’ll Need:

Best Flowers for Air Drying:

How to Air Dry Flowers:

Pros:

Cons:

Method 2: Pressing (Flat Flowers for Crafts)

What You’ll Need:

Best Flowers for Pressing:

How to Press Flowers:

Pros:

Cons:

Method 3: Silica Gel (Best for Vibrant Color)

What You’ll Need:

Best Flowers for Silica Gel Drying:

How to Use Silica Gel:

Pros:

Cons:

Method 4: Food Dehydrator (Quick & Easy)

What You’ll Need:

Best Flowers for Dehydrator Drying:

How to Use a Food Dehydrator:

Pros:

Cons:

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

What You’ll Need:

Best Flowers for Sand/Kitty Litter Drying:

How to Use Sand or Kitty Litter:

Pros:

Cons:

Comparison Table: Drying Methods

Our Top Recommendation

Expert Tips for Drying Flowers like a pro

Plan For Imperfections

Use a Fixative To Retain Color

Pick Flowers at the Right Time

Avoid Water Heavy Flowers

FAQ Section

Related Posts

Wrap-Up: Which Method Will You Try First?

Author: Laura Kennedy

Post navigation

33 Comments

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Contact