How to Dry Milkweed for Flower Arrangements

Once milkweed pods open, they begin to dry on the stem. Their open milkweed seedpods make an interesting, autumnal decoration, providing both an image of autumnal fertility and winter slumber. The pods create a counterpoint to more delicate flowers in your dry floral arrangement.

Things You'll Need

• Scissors
• Milkweed
• Twine
• Hook

Instructions

1. Gather your milkweeds in September after the pods have dried on the stem. Cut them at the base, leaving as long a stem as possible

2. Hold the stems from the bottom and strip the leaves off, taking care not to damage the stem or disturb the seedpod.

3. Bundle several milkweeds together by tying a piece of twine around the bottoms of their stems.

4. Hang the stems upside down from a hook in a dry place away from direct sunlight. Ideally, the area should have good air circulation. Basements are usually great for this purpose.

5. Check on the milkweed in two weeks to see if it is dry. Lightly touch the stem and the pods. They should feel dry and papery. If they don't, leave the milkweed for another week.

References

• Lvrj.com
• Allfreecrafts.com