Traditionally, flowers are dried by tying their stems with string and hanging them upside down. While this method yields beautiful, life-like results, it will take several days for the flowers to dry completely. At Gordon Boswell Flowers in Fort Worth, our florists aren’t opposed to traditions, but we also understand that you might not have more than a week to wait for your flowers to dry. If you have a bouquet that you want to preserve, you can do it much more quickly with a flower drying method that uses heat.

Dried Pink Roses

The 3 Quickest Ways to Dry Flowers

1. Microwave

Zapping flowers with microwaves is by far the fastest way to dry flowers, but you do need some unusual supplies. In addition to your flowers and a microwave-safe container, you’ll also need silica sand. First, you’ll want to trim the leaves and extra stem length from your blooms. Then arrange them in the container and make sure they’re completely surrounded by silica sand. Pop them in the microwave with a glass of water and heat them in 30-second intervals, checking their progress in between. Total drying time will vary based on the flower’s size and thickness, but most only need two or three minutes!

Bouquet of Dried Roses

2. Oven

You can also dry flowers in your oven, using supplies you probably already have in your kitchen. First, preheat the oven to its lowest setting and line a baking tray with wax or parchment paper. Arrange flowers so that they do not touch, as they’ll end up getting stuck together. Put them in the oven and leave the door cracked open so that the moisture can escape. Keep a close eye on your flowers, as they dry. Most will need between eight and twelve hours.

Dried Peach Roses

3. Sunny Day

We don’t recommend leaving your flowers out in the sun, as the rays will fade the color of your blooms, but you can harness the sun’s warmth to speed up the progress of drying flowers. It might sound silly, but the trunk of your car is actually the perfect location for drying flowers. On a sunny day when you don’t plan to drive anywhere, lay out your flowers on a sheet of parchment in the trunk and leave them all day. They should be completely dry by sunset.

Dried Flower Bouquet in Glass Vase

How to Care for Your Dried Flowers

Drying flowers will preserve them, but it also makes them really delicate. To help your dried flowers stay beautiful for years to come, we recommend giving them a few coats of hairspray (from a safe distance). This will fortify their delicate structures, while also protecting them from the elements. You’ll get the best results from your flowers, if you display them a safe distance from any sources of humidity inside your home, like the bathroom. It’s also a good idea to keep them away from direct sunlight, as the sunshine will break down their pigments, causing their colors to fade.

Magnificent Mauves

For more advice about the best ways to dry flowers or recommendations for the most beautiful bouquets to preserve, we welcome you to stop by Gordon Boswell Flowers.