You have beautiful roses in your garden and you’re wondering what to do with their petals? How can you use them to cook, decorate your home, or create a romantic atmosphere?
You’re in the right place.
As a florist, I often collect the petals from roses that break, so I don’t waste them.
Today, I’m going to show you everything you can do with it, thanks to some practical tips and simple tricks.
Symbolic of romance, rose petals can be used in many ways. Whether scattered on a bath, a table, or a bed, they make a sweet surprise and a gesture of love for your partner. You can also use them as decor for your videos or photos on social media platforms like TikTok or Instagram. Few people know, but they can be enjoyed in confections or infused to make herbal teas. Lastly, they are the main ingredient in the famous rosewater, a true elixir of beauty and care that you can easily make yourself.
Do you want more details? Keep reading to find out:
- Everything you need to know to harvest and preserve your petals,
- How to use them to create a romantic atmosphere,
- Cooking recipes using petals,
- Decor ideas for your home with roses,
- A simple tutorial to make your own rosewater!
How to Harvest and Preserve Rose Petals?
To enjoy rose petals for as long as possible, which are very delicate, it’s essential to take all necessary precautions to collect them carefully. In the following lines, you’ll find some essential tips and tricks to succeed in this task.
When to Remove the Petals?
The petals should be removed from the flower as close to the time you intend to use them as possible, ideally just before use. In the meantime, if the rose is cut, place it in a vase with water to keep it fresh and beautiful.
👉 If you want to preserve the petals of a rose you’ve received, don’t wait until they start to wilt. They should be slightly soft but not at all mushy in order to collect them and ensure they last a little while.
How to handle them without damaging?
Do you want to know how to remove the petals from a rose without tearing them? We often think that we need to take them off one by one. However, doing so increases the risk of tearing them and damaging them with our fingers.
The technique we use in floristry is as follows: with clean, dry hands, pinch the base of the flower bud between your thumb and index finger. Then, mimic the action of removing the entire rose from its base by gently but firmly pulling to the left and right. Gradually, all the petals will detach, while still remaining compact. Next, simply separate them carefully into a container or on a work surface.
Scatter Your Petals in a Romantic Bubble Bath
Do you want to create a thoughtful gesture for the person you love? Whether it’s a candlelit dinner or a romantic bubble bath, you can use rose petals to quickly and easily create exceptional decor without breaking the bank.
The petals can be arranged on the dining table or directly in the bath. In the latter case, I recommend preparing the petals in advance, in a basket that you can place next to the bathtub. Just before stepping into the bath, you can scatter the petals on the surface of the water and enjoy the surprise on your partner’s face at this enchanting decor.
For a bathtub, you should plan on using about ten medium-sized roses. For a table for two, five roses will be enough, while you’ll also need around ten roses for a bed.
👉 Are you planning to prepare a romantic bath for your partner and want to impress them? Check out all our tips in this guide that we have created specifically to help you plan your bubble bath evening for two.
A Dreamy Backdrop for Your Selfies and Photos
Do you love taking stunning photos or creating unique short videos to post on Instagram or TikTok? If so, you know how much time and energy it takes to set up a beautiful backdrop that allows you to produce amazing content. Because they are colorful, visually appealing, and a universal symbol of beauty and romance, rose petals are perfect for creating beautiful visuals.
Thrown into the air and captured in motion, they create stunning, bright, and natural shots. Scattered on the ground around you, they form a beautiful romantic backdrop for sensual and elegant portraits.
To Wish the Newlyweds a Long Life of Happiness
Are you familiar with the tradition of throwing rice at newlyweds as they exit the church or city hall? This practice actually originates from an ancient pagan ritual, where grains were tossed at the couple to wish them happiness and abundance in life.
Nowadays, rice and grains are increasingly being replaced by rose petals, which are more romantic and practical (since they don’t get stuck in every nook and cranny of your wedding dress)!
These can be harvested a few weeks in advance and used dried, or they can be fresh. In this case, you can ask your florist to prepare petal baskets for you. You can also entrust this task to your parents or witnesses if you want to use roses from your garden.
The baskets, usually two in number, should be placed at the entrance of the church, on either side of the pews. A handful of petals can be taken by each of your guests as they exit the church ahead of you!
Discover Delicious Recipes Using Rose Petals!
I don’t know if you’re aware, but rose petals aren’t just used for their decorative appeal… In fact, if the petals aren’t treated with pesticides, you can actually enjoy them as a treat, in tea, as syrup, or even in ice cream!
The flavor of rose mainly comes from the wonderful aroma released by the petals. Cooking with rose is therefore a unique sensory experience that will surely surprise your guests.
👉 To explore recipes using rose petals along with cooking tips, I invite you to check out this blog article dedicated to this topic. Enjoy your meal!
Aromatic Potpourri to Decorate Your Home
A very simple way to use rose petals is to gather them, air dry them flat on a tray, and then place them in a pretty container to create a potpourri. I definitely recommend using an open container to enjoy the subtle fragrance released by the petals.
A lovely clear container, like a candy jar, will be perfect for showcasing the petals and turning your creation into a beautiful decorative piece. Finally, you can add some lavender seeds to enhance the fragrance if you wish.
🌹 Would you like to decorate your home with roses, but would prefer them not to be dried? With everlasting roses, you can enjoy real roses that are preserved in time, maintaining all their brilliance and color for several years. Discover them in our online shop, beautifully showcased and protected by stunning glass domes!
Create Your Own Beauty Elixir!
Known for its hydrating and toning properties, rose water is also a fantastic product to help your skin defend against external aggressors and to heal better. You can also apply it to your skin in cases of burns or itching.
👉 Your skin is sensitive? Start by using just a small amount of rose water on the back of your hand. If your skin reacts negatively, do not apply this product.
Here are the steps to make your own rose water:
Your rose water is ready to be poured into a small bottle. You can keep it for about two weeks, preferably in the refrigerator!
I hope this article has given you plenty of ideas for using your rose petals, whether in cooking, decor, or for their soothing properties. Interested in trying more floral DIY projects? Check out this blog post that explains in detail how to create a floral perfume!