How to Dye Rhododendrons

White or light colored rhododendrons can be dye through their stems.

Dyeing flowers doesn't have to involve sticky, messy and unnatural-looking floral spray paints. Instead, you can dye them very simply with a method called stem dyeing. This method will dye your white or light colored rhododendrons, and you can dye the petals almost any color you want. Stem dyeing allows the dye to be soaked up by the stem then penetrate the petals. The flowers will last longer and look much more natural than those that have been sprayed with floral spray paints.

Things You'll Need

• Scissors
• Vase
• Cut flower preservative
• Systemic floral dye
• Instant hydration pretreatment for flowers
• Plastic cup

Instructions

1. Cut the ends of the stems of your rhododendrons so they fit properly into the vase.

2. Fill your vase with warm water. Mix in a packet of cut flower preservative.

3. Add a systemic floral dye to the vase. You can find these dyes online, at craft stores or from a florist shop.

4. Remove any leaves from the stems that will fall below the water line.

5. Pour 2 inches of an instant hydration pretreatment liquid into a plastic cup. This hydration solution can also be found online, at craft stores or from a florist shop. It will help keep the stems strong.

6. Dip your rhododendron stem ends into the hydration solution, then place them into the vase of dye water.

7. Leave the rhododendrons in the dye water until they are just a shade lighter then you'd like. They will darken a bit more over time. The dye will travel up the stems, dyeing the petals in a couple of days.

Tips & Warnings

• All parts of a rhododendron are poisonous if eaten. They can cause paralysis or even death. Keep rhododendrons out of reach of children and pets.

References

• Preserved Gardens: How to Dye Flowers and Foliage

Resources

• The Henning's: Toxicity of Rhododendrons to People and Animals
• Government of Alberta, Agriculture and Rural Development: Poisonous House Plants