A Detailed Guide to Dried Flower Making: Create Beautiful Dried Flowers at Home

Dried flowers are floral materials made from fresh flowers that have been dehydrated and dried; they can retain the original shape and color of the blooms for a relatively long time and are a very popular element in home decor. There are several methods for making dried flowers, the common ones being natural air-drying, desiccant drying, and microwave heating, none of which are very difficult and can all be done at home.

Natural air-drying is the simplest and most commonly used method. Remove the excess leaves from the flowers you have gathered, tie them into small bunches with string, and hang them upside down in a ventilated, dry, dark place so that the moisture in the flowers slowly dissipates. The whole process generally takes one to two weeks, and the speed depends on the flower variety and the air humidity.

If you want finished results faster, you can use a desiccant or a microwave. With the desiccant method, you bury the flowers in silica gel desiccant, and after a few days you can take out dried flowers that have kept a fairly good shape; with the microwave method, you need to heat on low power for short periods several times, and you must experiment patiently so as not to scorch the flowers. Flowers with thin petals and low moisture content are better suited to these quick methods.

Choosing the right material is crucial when making dried flowers. Flowers with high moisture content and thick, fleshy petals tend to mold and discolor during drying and are not very suitable for beginners to try; materials such as roses, baby's breath, forget-me-nots (Myosotis), and eucalyptus leaves are easier to succeed with. During drying, keep the flowers out of light and away from moisture, and when storing the finished pieces, keep them away from damp environments, otherwise they may fade or reabsorb moisture.

Finished dried flowers can be placed in a vase for display, or made into wreaths, framed specimens, or sachets; they are perfect for decorating a room or giving to relatives and friends. Compared with fresh flowers, dried flowers need no care and, if preserved properly, can be enjoyed for a very long time, making them ideal for friends who love flowers but have no time to care for them.