Would you like to dry rose petals to keep as a souvenir or reuse them? Are you wondering how to go about it? What can you do with dried petals?
You’re in the right place.
As a florist, roses are the flowers I use most often in my daily work. Of course, I use them to create bouquets, but I also dry them to make lasting creations.
That’s why I’ve decided to share with you today my tips for drying rose petals, so that you too can create with these wonderful flowers.
To dry rose petals, gather them from slightly open flowers that are neither damp nor wilted. Place them on a tray lined with paper towels, making sure not to overcrowd them, and then keep them in a dark place for several weeks, protected from moisture, extreme heat, and especially light. After a week, you can spray them with hairspray to prevent discoloration. Alternatively, you can press them or place them between the pages of a book, between sheets of paper (blotting paper, if possible), making sure to separate the petals from each other. With the dried petals, you can create cards, candles, potpourri, confetti, or even use them in cooking recipes and delicious infusions!
Want to learn more? Read on in this article to discover:
- How to harvest the best petals for drying,
- A simple and detailed method for drying rose petals,
- Tips for preserving their color,
- Practical advice on how to dry your petals flat, under pressure, or in a book,
- And plenty of creative ideas for using dried rose petals!
What is the Easiest Technique for Drying Rose Petals?
Whether they are roses growing in your garden or flowers you received as a gift, you can give them a second life by drying their petals. I’m sharing a simple technique that requires minimal materials and that I have tested multiple times.
👨👩👧👦 Feel free to enjoy this activity with your family if you’d like! As long as you make sure that little ones don’t put the rose petals in their mouths, it’s completely safe!
How to Harvest Your Petals?
To easily remove the petals, your roses should be slightly open. To achieve the best possible result, one of the most important factors is timing:
- Don’t wait until the roses start to wilt to collect your petals: they should still be firm with no wrinkles or brown spots.
- If you’re picking your roses from the garden, choose a sunny day 🌞. Wait until the late morning when the dew has completely dried up on the flowers.
👉 When picking flowers, don’t pile them on top of each other: it’s best to use a tray or a wide basket, placing a cloth or paper towel at the bottom.
Once you’re back home, you’ll need to act quickly to remove the petals from each flower: for this, pinch the rose at the base firmly between your thumb and index finger, then twist it a quarter turn to gently pull off the petals.
If this technique doesn’t work, you can carefully remove them one by one, starting with the ones that are furthest out from the rose.
How to Dry Them?
Once you’ve gathered your petals, spread them out on a tray lined with paper towels. Then, place the tray in a location that is protected from:
- light, to preserve the colors as much as possible,
- humidity, to prevent mold,
- any strong heat, to allow for gradual drying (which leads to better results).
The natural drying process will take several weeks: after a week, the petals should start to shrink, become stiff, and change color. When you notice that they no longer change color for several days, it means they are fully dry and can be used for decorations, crafts, or even recipes…
Can you dry rose petals in the microwave?
When researching various drying methods, this one often comes up. It’s very convenient because it provides almost immediate results. However, the quality of the drying is inferior to what you get from air-drying over several weeks. Using a microwave to dry rose petals can be a quick solution, but it’s best to avoid this method if you plan to use the petals for long-lasting creations.
Here is a detailed tutorial video on how to dry roses in the microwave:
How to Air-Dry Rose Petals?
Pressing is a very old technique for preserving plants: it requires a bit more effort, but it yields flat petals, which can be useful for certain projects. In addition, it is the technique that best preserves the colors and small details found on the flowers.
Should You Dry Your Petals in a Book or Under a Press?
Drying your roses in a heavy book is the simplest technique to use. However, you might stain its pages, and you won’t be able to read it while the flowers are inside. A flower press usually provides better results and avoids any hassle.
How to Press Your Rose Petals
After collecting the petals, gently spread them out on a sheet of paper, making sure to separate them well. Then place the sheet under your press or in a book with another sheet on top. Close the book or press, place as much weight as you can on top—several pounds if possible—and wait at least two weeks.
👉 Blotting paper sheets are ideal for drying plants because they absorb moisture. If you have some, feel free to use them instead of regular paper.
How to Preserve the Color of Rose Petals While Drying?
If you’ve ever tried to dry a rose, you may have noticed that it tends to easily fade during the process, or even turn brown. This happens due to exposure to light, so you can reduce this effect by drying your plants in a completely dark room.
However, this is a natural process that can occur when you expose your dried petals to sunlight. Does this mean you can’t use your dried petals? Of course not! Fortunately, there are several tips to help them maintain their color.
For Air-Dried Rose Petals
After a week of drying, spray some hairspray on your rose petals. This will protect them from dust and moisture while helping them retain their colors. Feel free to reapply regularly throughout their lifespan (at least once every two months).
For Pressed Dried Flowers
After about ten days of drying, when your petals have become quite stiff, use a brush to apply a very light layer of a mixture of 50% water and 50% white glue. Let it dry completely for several days!
What to Do with Dried Rose Petals?
Rose petals are a natural and easily accessible material that can be used for many purposes. Let’s explore some of them in the following paragraphs!
🔸 A Decorative Potpourri
Your dried petals can add a splash of color to homemade potpourri! However, be sure to keep it out of damp rooms to help it last longer.
🔸 Natural and Biodegradable Confetti
Are you planning a party? A get-together with friends to celebrate the New Year? If so, you can use your rose petals as confetti! They have the advantage of being free and biodegradable. They are also a great alternative to throwing rice at the newlyweds as they exit the church or city hall, and they add a romantic touch to the occasion.
🔸 Candles Decorated with Petals
Rose petals can be used as a bohemian and natural decoration if you’re trying your hand at making candles. Check out all our tips in this dedicated guide that I wrote for this blog!
🔸 Cards to Send
Just a little glue, and you’re all set to create unique cards to delight your loved ones and share your updates with them. 😉
🔸 Delicious Cooking Recipes and Infusions
If your roses have not been treated with chemicals, the petals can be included in recipes. Does this idea interest you? Check out this foodie guide dedicated to cooking with roses!
You can also use rose petals in your homemade infusions with verbena, linden, mint, and more…
Where to Buy Rose Petal Confetti?
In this article, we presented ways to dry your rose petals so you can preserve or reuse them. They are often used to celebrate an occasion such as a wedding or anniversary, and serve as beautiful decorations. Another popular product is rose petal confetti, which adds a lovely touch to festive receptions.
If you’re looking to get some for your next event, you’ll need to find providers who can supply them. While you might find some at general stores or party shops, we recommend reaching out to a store that specializes in party supplies.
Indeed, this type of store, whether it’s a physical location or an online sales platform, will offer you a wide range of products, ensuring you’ll find exactly what you’re looking for, such as petal-shaped confetti. More importantly, these stores provide higher quality items that better meet your needs compared to what you might find in discount shops.
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I hope this article has answered your questions about drying rose petals and has given you plenty of ideas on how to use them in your daily life! The different techniques I shared can also be applied to other flower petals!
Do you love flowers and wish you could have them in your home all the time? Check out our everlasting roses 🌹 and our flower walls 🌺 to brighten up your space without breaking the bank on weekly bouquets!
