How to Dye Roses Blue

Use food coloring to turn white roses blue.

Blue roses have been sought after for centuries by rose lovers around the world. Unfortunately, there is no such thing as a truly blue rose. The hybrids available that are marketed as blue are actually lavender-blue in appearance. There are experiments in horticultural sciences that are trying to perfect the blue rose, but the easiest way to produce them on your own is by simply dying them.

Things You'll Need

• 12 ivory or white roses
• 1-gallon glass vase
• 8 ounces glue food coloring
• ¾ gallon cold distilled water

Instructions

1. Fill the gallon vase 3/4 full with cold distilled water.

2. Pour the entire contents of an 8-ounce bottle of blue food coloring into the vase of water.

3. Stir the mixture with the stem of a single long-stemmed, white rose until the water is tinted a dark royal blue color.

4. Stick the roses, stem down into the vase of blue water.

5. Let the flowers sit in the vase of water for 48 to 72 hours. The result will be vibrant, blue petals. This is because of the flower's complex vein system that sucks water from its environment for nourishment. The blue-tinted water is spread throughout the veins of the rose, turning its delicate, white petals a royal hue.

Tips & Warnings

• Use more or less food coloring to control the depth of the rose's color.

References

• William Thomas Green Florist: Dye White Roses Green, Blue, or Purple