How to Dry Rose Pedals
Roses are stunning flowers that come in a huge variety of colors, shapes and sizes, and they’re a popular romantic gift. Drying rose petals is a great way to preserve memories from a special occasion.Dried rose petals are also a very popular ingredient in homemade potpourri and other craft projects. There are many different ways of drying rose petals, so which supplies you’ll need depends on the method you choose. You can dry the rose petals while they’re still attached to the flowers or pluck the petals and dry them separately. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Roses
- Scissors
- Paper towels and heavy books (optional)
- Rubber bands and a dry, dark closet (optional)
- Microwave (optional)
- Refrigerator (optional)
Instructions
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To dry a bunch of roses with the petals still on the flowers, choose roses that aren’t quite fully opened. Cut off any leaves or side stems, then bundle the stems using a rubber band. Hang the roses upside down in a dry, dark place such as a closet for a few weeks until they’re completely dry, then remove the petals from the roses.
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To enjoy the roses while the petals are drying, put the roses in a vase in a dry area, such as near a fan. Let the roses dry naturally, then remove the petals.
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To press the rose petals, choose roses that are in full bloom. Gently pluck the petals from the roses. Open the heavy book to the middle and place two paper towels inside. Spread out the rose petals on the paper towels, then cover them with two more paper towels. Close the book and place another heavy book or weight on top. Check the rose petals every week until they’re dry, then remove them from the book.
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To dry rose petals quickly, choose roses that are in full bloom. Gently pluck the petals from the roses. Place the petals on a paper towel and microwave them for about 1 minute. Check to see if the petals are dry. If not, microwave them a little longer and check them again.
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To dry rose petals in the refrigerator, remove the petals and put them between two sheets of paper towels, or leave the petals on the flowers and cut the stems just below the blossoms. Place the roses in the refrigerator until the petals are dry. This method works especially well for preserving en entire rose corsage with baby’s breath and ferns.
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Tips & Warnings
Microwaving or refrigerating rose petals will make them lose more of their fragrance than the other methods of drying.
You can also use a flower press instead of a book for pressing rose petals.
Be careful of thorns when working when roses.
