How to Dry Flowers & Twigs

Drying flowers is a very simple process, but patience is needed.

Drying out flowers and twigs is a very simple process and isn't as hard as you think. All you need are basic materials, air and darkness. You can save and dry any favorite flowers or twigs you like and keep them as decoration in your home year round, as long as they are not exposed to sunlight and moisture.

Things You'll Need

• Fresh cut flowers of your choice
• Twigs of any size
• 1-inch-thick rope, 12 inches long
• Ceiling with hooks
• Dark room
• Fan
• Aerosol hairspray

Instructions

1. Take the fresh-cut flowers of your choice, and tie the rope around the stems in a knot six inches away from the flower petals. If you are drying twigs, you can tie the rope around the twigs in any place and make a knot.

2. Take your freshly cut, tied flowers or twigs, and use the rope to hang them on ceiling hooks in a dark room upside down. The flower petals should be hanging toward the floor, and your stems should be pointing toward the ceiling.

3. Place the fan in the dark room and turn it on to help circulate the air in the room where your flowers or twigs are hanging. This will help dry them out. You will need to leave your flowers and twigs hanging upside down from the ceiling in the dark room with the air circulating for about three to four weeks. You will know the flowers are dry because they will have a crisp, dry texture to them and make a crinkling noise when you touch them. The dried twigs should feel so dry that they are easy to snap if you bend them.

4. Take the aerosol hairspray and spray it directly onto the flower petals and stems to help preserve your dried flowers. You do not need to do this step with dried twigs.

5. Place your dried flowers or twigs in a vase, and use them to decorate a room.

Tips & Warnings

• Do not place your dried flowers in direct sunlight, because they will dry out even more and fall apart. Try to keep them in cool, shaded areas.

• Do not place your dried flowers near moisture because they will absorb the moisture and mold.

References

• Pro Flowers: How to Dry Flowers