How to Dry Rose Petals Fast

Drying rose petals with silica gel will preserve the vivid colors.

If you can't bear to part with that perfect, sweet-smelling rose, dry the rose petals and you can keep them for potpourri or other crafts. Although there are many effective methods for drying rose petals, silica gel, a desiccant, is the quickest way to preserve the petals. Silica gel absorbs moisture quickly, and the bright color of the rose petals is preserved. Silica gel can be purchased in craft stores or garden centers.

Things You'll Need

• Silica gel
• Plastic or glass container with tight lid
• Slotted spoon
• Soft paintbrush
• Microwave oven
• Microwave-safe container with tight lid

Instructions

Drying Rose Petals

1. Place 2 to 3 inches of silica gel in a plastic or glass container with a tightly fitting lid. Place the rose petals carefully on top of the silica gel. Leave space between the petals so they don't touch.

2. Pour silica gel around the outer edges of the container. Jiggle the container carefully, adding silica gel until the petals are completely covered with silica gel.

3. Place the lid on the container. Check the rose petals every few hours as rose petals can dry as soon as 36 hours. Petals left in silica gel too long will become brittle and will shatter.

4. Remove the petals carefully from the silica gel with a slotted spoon. Use a soft paintbrush to remove any remaining silica gel.

Drying in the Microwave

1. Place 2 to 3 inches of silica gel in a microwave-safe container with a tightly fitting lid. Pour silica gel around the perimeter of the container, then shake the container gently or tap the sides until the silica gel completely covers the petals.

2. Put the lid securely on the container and place the container in the microwave. Turn the microwave on medium power for three minutes. Allow the silica gel to cool for 15 minutes before removing the lid.

3. Remove the lid from the container and check to see if the petals are dry. If they aren't dry, process them for 30 seconds. Allow the silica gel to cool for 15 minutes before removing the lid. Repeat at 30-minute intervals, allowing the silica gel to dry for 15 minutes each time.

4. Allow the silica gel to cool completely, then remove the petals carefully. Remove any gel with a soft paintbrush.

Tips & Warnings

• Silica gel can be reused when you're finished drying your rose petals. Place the silica gel in a baking pan and dry it in a 200-degree Fahrenheit oven until the gel turns from pink to blue. This will require several hours, or overnight.

• Store silica gel in an airtight container.

References

• Clemson University: Drying Flowers
• Florage: Drying Flowers
• North Dakota State University: Methods of Preserving Flowers
• KidsGardening.com: Preserving Buds and Blooms