How to Dry Sea Lavender (Limonium) Flowers

Sea lavender gets its scientific name, Limonium, from the Greek word "leimon," which means "meadow."

Limonium flowers--more commonly known as Statice, marsh-rosemary, or sea lavender--are perennials that bloom in spreads of lilac or blue blossoms.The distinctive shape, color and long-lasting fragrance of sea lavender makes it a perfect choice to dry and put in floral arrangements, wreaths and other crafts. Drying sea lavender is easy when you know the basic steps for drying any blossom, leaf or other plant material.

Things You'll Need

• Limonium (sea lavender) flowers
• Twine or string
• Dry, dark location
• Storage bag or bin

Instructions

Dry Limonium Flowers

1. Collect live or freshly cut sea lavender flowers from your garden or local nursery, as you'll want healthy spreads of limonium blooms to dry. Choose limonium flowers that have many branched clusters of lavender, lilac or blue flowers that resemble Baby's Breath. The best time to cut sea lavender blossoms for drying is just before the buds are fully open.

2. Hang your cut limonium flowers in a cool, dark and dry room for three to five days to allow them time to dry out completely. Some prefer to hang bunches of flowers upside-down, tied together at the stems, but this is not necessary. Make sure the environment you choose is open, to allow ample air circulation and to avoid mold or mildew from propagating in your flowers.

3. Store freshly dried sea lavender in an airtight bag or plastic container to protect it from damage and to keep the flowers fragrant. Dried limonium flowers resemble true lavender and make great additions to potpourri bags, floral arrangements and other displays. Sea lavender symbolizes long-lasting beauty, remembrance and sympathy, and some believe that limonium flowers--whether fresh or dried--bestow good luck and success.

References

• Dried Flowers Direct: General Sea Lavender (Latifolia) Information
• Types of Flowers: Statice
• Mode Flowers: Limonium Flowers