How to Dry & Preserve Sea Grass

Sea grasses make beautiful additons to floral arrangements, but use them consciously due to environmental concerns.

When you harvest, dry and preserve sea grasses, you can bring the rustle of the sea coast into your home. These grasses look attractive in a variety of settings. A garland made of dried grasses gives an autumn harvest look to the home, office or table. Dried sea grass is not only used for decoration, but for medicinal purposes as well. Scientists have warned about accelerating losses of sea grasses, prompting international concern. Coastal development threatens the health and habitat of fish and shellfish, which use sea grass for their nurseries. Researchers have reported as much as a 58 percent decline in the world's supply of sea grass. So be conscious of this when you use sea grasses.

Things You'll Need

• Sea grass
• Knife
• Floral absorption dye (optional)
• Large container or tub
• Water
• Glycerine
• Heat vent (optional)
• Spray on acrylic sealer
• Tissue paper
• Twine
• Poly bags (optional)
• Airtight containers with lids

Instructions

1. Harvest fresh sea grass when the seed heads have formed. Cut the grasses off just above soil level with a sharp knife. Cull any wilted or dying grass. These are not suitable for drying and would ruin the look of the finished product.

2. Consider the need for floral absorption dye to preserve color before drying. This is not often done with grasses, but it is an option. Add the dye to a large container or tub of warm water and stand the grasses cut side first in the tub. With or without the added dye, mix one part of glycerine to two parts of hot water and allow to cool down to room temperature. The water level should go as high up the grass stems as possible.

3. Lay the grass in the sun in thin layers for several days. Avoid mold by turning the grass often. The drying process can take as long as a month in more humid areas. After drying the grasses thoroughly, bind them into bunches with two to three blades of the grass. They are ready to be used or preserved.

4. Dry grasses over a heat vent in the winter. This helps the grasses to retain some of their color. Keep the grasses out of direct sunlight once they are dried. Keep them out of high-traffic areas as well.

5. Spray on a clear acrylic sealer to preserve the grasses. This gives the grasses added strength and helps to deter mold.

6. Gather bunches of grass, wrap a layer or two of tissue paper around it, and secure the bundles with twine. If desired, the bundles can be wrapped in poly bags. Place the bundles in large, airtight containers to prevent moisture and sunlight. Store the containers in a dark, dry, well-ventilated area.

References

• Physorg: Loss of Coastal Seagrass Habitat Accelerating Globally
• IndiaMart: Storing Dried Flowers, Preserving Dried Flowers