3 easy ways to preserve flowers at home

Flowers may be fleeting, but with the right preservation techniques, you can enjoy their beauty for months - or even years.

Whether you want to keep a sentimental bouquet or create stunning dried arrangements, here are some of the best ways to preserve flowers at home.

If your bouquet is from your wedding, preserving the flowers can be a meaningful and eco-friendly way to cherish your special memories - or you can share the joy with other couples as homemade confetti.

Make changes for the planet and your pocket. 

1. Air drying flowers

Air drying is one of the easiest ways to preserve flowers with minimal effort. Just follow these steps:

Hang your flowers upside down in a warm, dry place for about four weeks.

Check regularly to ensure they’re drying properly and aren’t exposed to moisture. Hanging them upside down helps the blooms retain their shape, keeping them full and plump.

Once fully dry, arrange them in a vase (without water) for long-lasting décor.

A dehumidifier can help dry flowers more quickly by removing moisture from the air, which speeds up the drying process. It's especially useful in humid or damp environments, where flowers might take longer to dry naturally.

Dried flowers are delicate, so handle them gently. If you want extra support, wrap thin metal wire around the stems to help them stay upright.

2. Oven drying flowers

If you want quicker results, consider oven drying as an alternative. The best ovens for drying flowers are those with low and consistent temperature control to prevent burning or over-drying.

First, trim off any stems and leaves, as they don’t dry well in the oven. For larger blossoms like roses, consider separating the petals and drying them individually.

Preheat your oven to 100°C (212°F) and line a baking tray with parchment paper.

Spread out your flowers and bake for one to two hours, checking occasionally to prevent burning.

Expect light-coloured petals to darken, while blues and purples tend to keep their vibrancy. Red petals often deepen in hue, creating a rich, dark look.

Some ovens veer a long way from the correct temperature, while others are very accurate. All our independent lab tests measure how closely the oven sticks to the temperature we set it at.

3. Pressing flowers

Pressed flowers are ideal for art projects, scrapbooking, and decorative framing.

You can use a flower pressing kit (available online for around £20–£50) or simply use a heavy book. Here’s how:

Trim the stem to your desired length.

Place the flower between parchment paper inside a large book.

Close the book gently and weigh it down with something heavy.

Leave for at least one week to fully dry and flatten.

How to use dried flowers

Give your flowers a life beyond death and save yourself money on home décor by using them in these creative ways:

PotpourriDried flower arrangementsFramed floral art Scrapbooking and journaling Wreaths and garlands Confetti  See more 

Which flowers work best for pressing?

For the best results, choose flowers with thin, single-layered petals. Here are some great options:

Daisies

Pansies

Violets

Buttercups

Poppies

Baby's breath

Ferns

Thicker flowers like roses and peonies don’t press well but can be dried by separating their petals first.

How to make flower bouquets last longer

By taking care of flowers the right way, you can enjoy their beauty for much longer. 

The biggest enemy to fresh cut flowers is bacteria growing, which can cause the stems to mould and blooms to die more quickly. If you want your fresh flowers to stay vibrant before drying them, follow these tips:

Use a clean vase Trim stems at a 45º angle Change the water every 24 to 48 hours Remove any leaves below the waterline Keep your bouquet in a cool spot Remove dying blooms Breathe new life into your outside spaces. 

source https://www.which.co.uk/news/article/how-to-preserve-flowers-avLAM4U5ooMB