How to Preserve Fresh Flowers Permanently: A Guide | Cake Blog (2024)

A quick online search reveals endless ways to keep your flowers looking great longer, but is there a way to preserve fresh flowers permanently? With rich flower meanings to consider, it makes sense to want to keep your beloved blooms close forever. This is especially true for sentimental flowers, like a wedding bouquet or funeral wreath.

Jump ahead to these sections:

• Can You Preserve Fresh Flowers Permanently
• What’s the Longest-Lasting Way to Preserve Fresh Flowers?
• Methods for Preserving Fresh Flowers
• Frequently Asked Questions About Preserving Flowers

Preserved flowers make beautiful home decorations, some even becoming family heirlooms. However, it’s not always easy to preserve fresh flowers forever. You need the right materials, as well as timing. The more you know about this process, the easier it is to decide the best method.

Your favorite flowers and bouquet are more than stems from a plant. They’re tied to special memories, and they’re a part of the moments that define us. This guide will share how to preserve fresh flowers permanently to create something beautiful and meaningful.

Can You Preserve Fresh Flowers Permanently?

First, is it possible to preserve fresh flowers permanently? In short, yes. However, this process won't happen on its own. As anyone who's had flowers knows, they start to wilt and die slowly but surely. Most fresh blooms last anywhere from a few days to several weeks. The best way to preserve flowers is when they're new and fully bloom.

When flowers are in full bloom, their step is still strong and straight, and the petals are all intact and colorful. When the flower begins to limp and change color, it's not easy to preserve. You'll need the right preservation method to keep your flowers looking their best. The sooner you take action, the better.

This is why it's a good idea to consider whether you'd like to preserve your flowers. For instance, this could be a good idea if you're wondering what to do with funeral flowers or a wedding bouquet. Some flowers preserve better than others, so thinking about this in advance helps you prepare for success.

What’s the Longest-Lasting Way to Preserve Fresh Flowers?

With that in mind, how can you preserve fresh flowers in a long-lasting way? The right preparation goes a long way. Consider these tips below when planning to preserve flowers on your own. You don’t have to be a florist to create a lasting bouquet, but you do need to be mindful of your technique.

• Fresh flowers: First, you must ensure your flowers are too fresh. Unfortunately, once they’ve begun to wilt, it’s too late. You’ll need to act fast to preserve your flowers.

• Avoid sunlight: Though it might sound counterintuitive, considering plants thrive with sunlight, keep your flowers away from the sun. Direct sunlight causes the colors to fade.

• Flower selection: The type of flower you choose also impacts your results. Some flowers preserve better over time, including baby’s breath, herbs, hydrangeas, lavender, pansies, roses, and yarrow.

• Technique: Finally, your chosen method also impacts how your flowers last over time. Preserving your flowers in resin or another solid form keeps them pristine for a long time—possibly forever. On the other hand, dried flowers last a long time but are more fragile.

Ultimately, it’s a good idea to understand the different methods for preserving fresh flowers before you proceed. Not only can you make sure you’re choosing your flowers wisely, but you can also take steps to protect them as soon as possible. When in doubt, talk to your local florist about your options.

Methods for Preserving Fresh Flowers

Next, let’s share the different methods for preserving fresh flowers. While most people are familiar with one or two of these methods, you might be surprised by just how many options there are. Each method has its pros and cons, and some require more supplies than others.

Air drying

The first option is the most well-known. You can always air dry your flowers. They completely lose their moisture by hanging your flowers upside down in a dark, dry place for 1-3 weeks. This preserves them, making it possible to use these dried flowers in crafts, wreaths, scrapbooks, and more.

Dried flowers also look beautiful arranged in a bouquet, and displayed in your home. However, to keep them looking their best, avoid direct sunlight. There are many methods for drying flowers, but the easiest is to hang them upside down with string.

Pressing

Alternatively, one of the easiest ways to preserve flowers is through pressing. This option has the smallest possibility of error, so it’s hard to mess up. However, it can also be the most time-consuming, limiting your options for using your pressed flowers in the future.

To press your flowers, place your flowers flat under a heavy book. Use waxed paper to avoid sticking the book to the flower itself. Over time, the liner paper absorbs the flower's moisture, and the book's weight flattens it in place. This can take up to a month, but you can use these flowers in photo albums, frames, and scrapbooks.

Microwave pressing

Want to press your flowers but don’t have a month? A faster option is to microwave press. The radiation in your microwave heats the liquid inside flowers, drying the blooms as the vapor escapes. This might sound odd, but it’s a safe and trusted method.

You can purchase a microwave drying kit online for more support, but you likely have all the supplies you need at home already. You need two safe ceramic plates for the microwave, coffee filters, and your microwave. As you might expect, the flower is placed between the plates and the coffee filters. As you microwave in small increments, replace the coffee sheets with fresh ones.

Glycerin

Though a bit more complicated, glycerin preserves the appearance and color of your favorite flowers. To do this, you need to place the stems of fresh flowers in a mix of water and glycerine. The flowers sit in this mixture for up to three weeks. Over the weeks, the flower petals absorb the glycerine, effectively replacing its water content.

If your flowers start to wilt during this process, hang them upside down once they’re taken from the mixture. This also speeds up the drying process. The best glycerin for this is vegetable glycerin which you can find at craft stores and online.

Epoxy resin

Similarly, you can preserve your flowers in resin. By filling a mold with resin and placing flowers inside, you can let it harden around your flowers. This is a trickier process, and it helps to have some experience with resin. If you mess up your flower placement, there’s no way to undo your work.

When in doubt, you can use a beginner-friendly kit for epoxy resin. Because you’re handling powerful chemicals, you need to practice care at each stage in the process. Alternatively, you can send your flowers to a resin crafter with more experience.

Freeze drying

Speaking of professionals, you can also take your flower arrangement directly to a freeze-drying company. This process lowers the temperature of the flowers to below freezing, extracting water through a high-pressure vacuum. Freeze-drying flowers keeps the original texture, color, and structure intact. However, it has to be done by a professional company.

Sand

Did you know you can even dry flowers in sand? You can use sand or silica gel, which dry your flowers naturally over a few weeks. Simply cover the flowers in the sand, letting them sit for a long time. Check on them periodically, making sure they’re drying to your liking.

When ready, carefully remove the flowers from the sand. Unlike pressing or drying by air, the sand doesn’t usually damage the petals. Still, be careful when removing them from the sand since they can be delicate.

Frequently Asked Questions About Preserving Flowers

With that in mind, what are the most common questions about preserving flowers? Whether using these as keepsakes for grandchildren or special mementos, your flowers can last long with the proper care.

What can you do with dried flowers?

You have many options if you press your flowers dry or use a chemical drying process. Some popular choices include hanging your flowers in a frame, arranging them in a scrapbook, or keeping them pressed. Some flowers also look great in a bouquet, even long after they’ve dried. For example, pressed flowers can last decades if properly dried and framed.

How do you keep fresh flowers from dying too soon?

Similarly, how do you keep flowers you’ve taken home fresh? Once they’ve been trimmed from the plant, you have a limited time before they fully wilt and die. You can extend their life by trimming the stems as soon as you get home. Using plant food keeps them lasting longer and avoids sunlight.

Will the flowers change through the preservation process?

In short, yes. The flowers will change in appearance as they’re preserved. Most of the time, this includes changes in color, texture, and shapes. Dried flowers are usually less bright and won’t be as large. The changes largely depend on the method you choose and your skill level. Some flowers are better suited for preservation than others.

Can someone preserve flowers for me?

Many providers and crafters on Etsy and beyond specialize in preserving flowers. Your local florist is a great choice if you want to work with someone locally. Flower preservation is an art form, and it’s okay if you don’t feel confident doing it yourself. It can be tricky, and you don’t want to damage your special flowers forever.

Make Your Blooms Last a Lifetime

As you can see from this guide, it’s possible to extend the life of your favorite flowers. Whether you’re getting through the dreary winter season or preserving a special memento, the right technique makes all the difference in the world.

Flowers carry a lot of significance and meaning. From the language and culture of flowers to connections with loved ones, it’s important to know how to hold life’s beauty close.