How to Dry Rose Petals in a Microwave

Preserve fresh rose petals with microwave drying.

Cut roses and fresh rose petals last for only a few days before they begin to wilt and lose their beauty, but you can extend the life of fresh rose petals with a simple microwave-drying technique. Drying rose petals in the microwave takes only a few minutes of hands-on activity, but the resulting dried petals will retain their vivid colors and delicate shape for years. The dried petals are an ideal choice for filling flower girl baskets, and they are common in homemade potpourri mixes.

Things You'll Need

• Fresh rose petals
• Silica gel
• Heatproof container
• Mug
• Microwave
• Soft bristle paintbrush
• Hairspray

Instructions

1. Pluck petals from fresh roses. When removing individual petals, grip them gently near the base to avoid bruising.

2. Cover the bottom of a heat-proof glass container with a 1-inch layer of silica gel and arrange a layer of rose petals on top, leaving at least 1/8 inch of space around each petal.

3. Slowly sift more silica gel over the petals, stopping to reposition any petals that might become bent as you pour. Add silica gel until the petals are completely covered.

4. Tap the base of the glass container to help the silica gel settle. If this action exposes some of the rose petals, add more silica gel.

5. Arrange a second layer of rose petals in the container and add a second layer of rose petals. Cover with silica gel in the same manner as you did the first layer of petals. You can continue adding layers of petals until the silica gel and flower petals fill the bowl to about an inch from the top.

6. Place a heat-proof mug filled with water in the back of the microwave and add your container of silica gel and rose petals. Heat on high for one minute. The gel should turn from blue to pink as it absorbs moisture from the flower petals.

7. Allow the silica gel and petals to cool for about 24 hours before removing the petals from the container. When removing the rose petals, brush away the top layer of silica gel and as you begin to see the rose petals, lift them one by one out of the container. Brush off any excess powder with a soft bristle paintbrush and spray the petal with hairspray to seal it and keep it from absorbing moisture.

Tips & Warnings

• If you want to store your petals in silica gel for an extended period of time, seal the container so it is airtight.

• You can reuse your silica gel if you dry it out between each use. Spread the gel over a cookie sheet and bake in your oven at 250 degrees F. When the material is blue in color it has completely dried out and is ready for reuse.

References

• University of Missouri Extension: G6540: Drying Flowers and Foliage Arrangements