How to Dry Silica Flowers

Preserved floral arrangements are easy to make with silica gel.

Silica gel is a dry, granular and highly absorbent material that is used extensively to preserve flowers more quickly than some other methods. Flowers retain their natural color with very little fading. Silica gel is widely available, simple to use and can be re-dried and used repeatedly. The faster drying time and the fact that the gel can be used over and over means more flowers can be dried by using only one batch of silica gel throughout the growing season.

Things You'll Need

• Garden pruner
• Flowers
• Airtight container
• Silica gel
• Paintbrush

Instructions

1. Cut flowers for drying, leaving only a 1-inch stem. Make certain the flower does not have insects, plant debris or moisture clinging to it.

2. Select a plastic container with a lid that is designed to burp out the air inside the container and seal it airtight. The container should be at least 5 inches deep and large enough to accommodate the number of flowers to be dried.

3. Fill the container with 2 inches of silica gel, available at hobby stores or garden centers, and gently place the flower face down in the silica gel. Placing the flower face down will leave the flower looking full and natural. Leave 1 inch of space between flowers when drying more than one flower. Cover the flower and stem with silica gel by mounding it over the stem and flower head.

4. Burp out the air inside the container, seal it and allow it to dry for 72 hours.

5. Open the container. Make certain the flowers are completely dry to the touch. Use a paintbrush to gently remove silica gel from the flower.

6. Display the dried flower in a sealed glass picture frame or similar container since it can reabsorb moisture from the humidity in the air, which will require treating it again.

Tips & Warnings

• Silica gel can be used repeatedly by spreading a 1 1/2-inch layer of the gel on a cookie sheet and baking at 250 degrees for one hour or until the gel turns a blue color.

• Flowers preserved with silica gel can absorb humidity and require retreatment. Display flowers, where possible, in glass cases or containers where high humidity will not penetrate. Silica gel is toxic if ingested in large quantities. Carefully supervise pets and small children.

References

• North Dakota State University: Methods of Preserving Flowers