How To Care For Your Dried Flowers
I love working with dried flowers and over the last few years, I’ve seen their popularity soar. From wedding bouquets to wreaths and arrangements, they can be just as beautiful, colourful and striking as fresh flowers, but, of course, they last a lot longer. They’re just perfect for brides who want a keepsake long after the wedding, or for those who want a low maintenance way to bring a touch of style and texture to their home.
When it comes to caring for your dried flowers, there are a few golden rules. Follow my tips and tricks to get the best from your bunch.
1 Keep them dry
It might seem obvious, but dried flowers and water are not friends! Keep them out of humid spaces like bathrooms and hot kitchens without any dampness in the air. Resist any temptation to water them, or you will end up with rotten stems. Instead, keep them somewhere warm and dry – a bedroom or living room is perfect. If you’re looking for the perfect vase, try something vintage or locally handmade.
2 Avoid direct sunlight
Over time, the colour of your dried flowers may naturally fade slightly - this is perfectly normal. But we want to do everything we can to slow that process down, so you can enjoy them at their best for as long as possible. When positioning your dried arrangement in your home, keep it out of direct sunlight, as the stronger rays will zap it of its vibrancy. Try and avoid keeping dried stems near bright windows and they will be happy.
3 Bust the dust
Dried flowers are adored for their longevity and for being low maintenance, which means they’re likely to stay in one place for quite a long time. Dust can easily gather on your bouquet, so I recommend giving them a light dust down every few weeks. You can use a feather duster to gently remove any build up, or for a quick fix, use your hairdryer on a low and cool setting.
4 Stick to one spot
Unlike fresh flowers who can take a certain level of pruning and handling, dried flowers like to be left alone. Be mindful of placing them somewhere with light footfall, and away from little hands and paws, as brushing past them frequently can cause breakages. Some stems can be quite delicate and brittle, so the less you move them, the less likely you are to do any damage. Find a spot you like and admire them from afar, apart from the odd clean.
Dried flowers bring so much happiness and require such little work. If you’re feeling inspired to bring some into your home, check out my Instagram @thepetalgirl where you can find some of my gorgeous bouquets, hoops, and wreaths.