How to Dry Hydrangeas
Hydrangeas are lush and beautiful in the summer. Learning how to dry hydrangeas is an easy way to keep them in your decor all winter long.
To start, choose hydrangea blooms that are full and brightly colored. Drying will cause the color to fade slightly, so the brighter the blooms the better. Once you’ve chosen your blooms, don’t cut them immediately. I like to wait for a few days to a week after their peak, so they’re already drying a bit on the shrub. (You’ll notice my fresh hydrangeas already have a few dried petals.)
Cut your hydrangea blooms with a good sized stem (8-12 inches). I cut the stems at an angle, but this may not be absolutely necessary.
Place hydrangeas in a large vase or other tall container, so the stems aren’t resting at the bottom. The blooms should rest easily over the top edge, so they’re aren’t crushed.
Leave flowers to dry for one to two weeks. You will be able to feel the blooms once they’re ready. They will have a crispy feel, and the colors of the blooms will be slightly muted. The flowers are now ready to use in decor or as a lovely gift. If any of the petals have browned as they’ve dried, you can remove them carefully, but I like to leave them in for a bit of color contrast.
Drying hydrangeas is certainly not difficult, but it does take a bit of wait time. I’ve heard of other methods using upside down hanging or silica gel, but I find that this method is simple.
Frequently asked questions
Have a question about this project?
I have several lovely hydrangeas and I will definitely try this post. Do they need sprayed with some time of sealer to keep them looking nice? Thanks.