How to Dry Hydrangeas: A Simple Guide to Preserving Their Beauty
Hydrangeas are known for their lush, vibrant blooms, and drying them allows you to enjoy their beauty long after the growing season has passed. Whether you want to preserve their delicate colours for home decor or simply love their rustic charm, drying hydrangeas is easier than you might think. With a few simple steps, you can turn fresh hydrangea blooms into long-lasting arrangements. Here’s a quick guide that I’ve tried and tested many times.
Choose the Right Blooms
The key to success is picking hydrangeas at the perfect stage. Look for flowers that are just starting to fade and feel slightly papery. Blooms that are too fresh will hold too much moisture and may shrivel, while those that are too far gone may not retain their shape. Hydrangeas in this stage will have softer colours, like my own, which started as hot pink and have now shifted to a more muted tone – a sure sign they’re ready to be dried.
Prepare the Stems
Use sharp, clean pruning shears to snip the stems at a 45° angle, just above a leaf node. This angled cut helps the stems absorb water during drying. Depending on the age of your plant, you may have shorter or more unruly stems, but that won’t affect the drying process.
Water Drying Method
For the best results, place your cut stems in a vase or jar with just 1–2 cm of water. Position the vase in a cool, well-ventilated area out of direct sunlight. As the water evaporates, top it up to maintain that small amount of moisture. This slow-drying process helps the flowers hold their shape and colour.
Let Them Dry
Over the next two weeks, allow the water to naturally evaporate. You’ll know the hydrangeas are fully dried when the petals feel papery and the stems snap easily, feeling brittle and hollow to the touch.
Preserve and Display
Once dried, display your hydrangeas out of direct sunlight to prevent fading and brittleness. If your arrangement is in a bright spot, rotate the flowers regularly to ensure even fading. These dried blooms will continue to add beauty to your space for months to come!
Drying hydrangeas is a simple yet rewarding process that allows you to capture these beautiful flowers long after their season. You can then decorate a mantel or simply keep them in your favourite vase.
Jade x