How to Preserve Flowers Without Losing the Color

Flowers are an easy way to spruce up a bland-looking home or workplace. While they only last a few days when fresh, there are many ways to preserve their beauty. Drying flowers with fine sand is an easy, chemical-free way to retain the color and shape of your flowers. The process can take a few days, but it is a simple, hands-on procedure that will keep your blooms looking fresh and bright for as long as you want them around.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Fine sand
• Sifter or screen
• Large bowl
• Water
• Baking tray
• Oven
• Scissors
• Flowers
• Small box or container
• Artist's brush

Preparing the Sand

1. Sift the sand to remove larger bits and pieces of other material with your sifter or screen. Discard anything too large to go through.

2. Place the sifted sand into the large bowl.

3. Add water to the bowl so that the sand is entirely covered. Dirt and other fine material will rise to the top.

4. Skim dirt off the top of the water. Repeat watering and skimming until all of the dirt has been removed from your sand.

5. Spread the cleaned sand on a baking tray for drying.

6. Bake the sand in an oven for 20 to 30 minutes at 250 degrees. You may need to allow additional time to make sure your sand is completely dry.

Drying the Flowers

7. Cut the stems of your flowers to approximately 1 inch long.

8. Pour between 1 and 2 inches of dry sand into the box or container.

9. Make a slight depression in the sand where you will place your flower.

10. Place your flower in the sand, pushing the stem into the depression you made. Push it in until the head of the flower is resting on the sand.

11. Push dried sand up underneath the petals of the flower's head to support it.

12. Gently sprinkle sand over all of the petals of the flower. Use the artist's brush to separate petals where necessary, and be sure to thoroughly cover the entire flower.

13. Leave your flowers alone to dry for about two days. If they still are not completely dried, leave them to continue, checking every day.

14. Remove your flowers from the box, and put them into a display or storage.

Tips & Warnings

• Be sure to start with fine sand---river sand or "silver sand" are often good types to use. Drying times may vary for different kinds of flowers.
• The flowers will be fragile once dried, so handle them with care. Dried flowers will retain their shape, so be mindful when placing them in the sand.

References

• North Dakota State University
• Fine Gardening
• Preserving Flower in Color and Form

Resources

• Texas A&M: How to Dry Flowers
• How to Dry Fresh-Cut Flowers
• University of Arizona: Techniques to Dry and Preserve Flowers