Different Kinds of Dyed Flowers

One of the wonders of childhood is watching an adult put a bunch of white daisies in a vase in the evening and waking to blue ones the next morning. Dying flowers is easy magic, and can be accomplished in several ways.

Identification

Plants carry nourishment upward to leaves and flowers through veins. It is this "capillary action" that is most often used to dye flowers.

Effects

Dyed flowers begin to display pastel streaks quickly after being cut and placed in a vase of water colored with vegetable dye. As the flower absorbs more water, the color spreads and deepens.

Types

Vegetable dye and food coloring are used to dye flowers using capillary action. Certain types of hydrangeas will bloom differently in acidic or basic soil and dried flowers can be dipped in dye.

Considerations

Flowers will absorb dye quickly for a while but the color begins to fade as the flower begins to die.

Warning

White flowers should be used for dying because dye colors will not show up well on colored flowers or will turn the flower a muddy gray color.

Fun Fact

Large flowers can be dried and "dipped" in pots of fabric dye for tie-dye-type effects or stamped with batik stamps for exotic effects.

Resources

• Activities for Kids
• Batik-dyed flowers