5 Beautiful Ways to Dry Flowers for Art & Handmade Projects

1. Air Drying (The Hanging Method)

A simple and natural way to preserve flowers.

• Best for: Roses, baby’s breath, statice, lavender, and herbs.

• How to do it: Bundle a few stems, tie with twine, and hang them upside down in a dark, dry place for 1–3 weeks.

• Why I love it: It feels ritualistic. There’s something so peaceful about watching flowers slowly transform over time.

• Pro Tip: Keep them out of direct sunlight to help preserve their color.

2. Pressing Flowers

Perfect for flat designs like cards, wall art, or even adding to the surface of candles.

• Best for: Pansies, daisies, ferns, violets, and delicate petals.

• How to do it: Lay flowers between parchment or wax paper, press inside a heavy book, and leave for 1–2 weeks.

• Creative idea: Pressed flowers look stunning when sealed into resin or behind glass frames.

3. Silica Gel Drying

This method is amazing for keeping both the shape and color of more delicate blooms.

• Best for: Peonies, dahlias, ranunculus, and orchids.

• How to do it: Place flowers in an airtight container filled with silica gel. Leave for 3–7 days.

• Why it’s worth it: You get professional-looking results—great for statement art or adding to luxury candles.

4. Microwave Drying (Yes, Really!)

A fast method for when you’re feeling a creative spark and don’t want to wait.

• Best for: Smaller flowers or petals you’ll use right away.

• How to do it: Place in a microwave-safe container with silica gel and microwave in 30-second bursts. Check frequently.

• Caution: Some flowers are delicate—watch closely so they don’t burn.

5. Oven Drying

Efficient for drying lots of flowers at once.

• Best for: Sturdy flowers or petals you want to use for bulk projects.

• How to do it: Set oven to the lowest temperature (about 150°F/65°C), place flowers on a tray, and leave the oven door cracked open. Check every 15 minutes.

• Use this for: Batch-drying flowers to decorate candle jars or to stock up for craft fairs.

Which Drying Method Is Best for You?

If you love creating dimensional, textured art or embedding flowers into handmade goods (like I do), you might lean toward air-drying or silica gel. If you’re into journaling, framing, or paper-based art, pressing might be your go-to.

No matter which you choose, dried flowers invite nature into your work in the most beautiful way. If you’re curious to see how I use dried flowers in my own healing candles or art pieces, feel free to explore my latest creations.