How to Preserve Flowers (Instead of Buying Plastic Ones!)

Ever looked at a beautiful flower pressed in glass and wondered how to preserve flowers? Or do you have a pretty flower that you want to preserve the memory of? If so, this post is going to help you with two easy ways to preserve flowers beyond a fresh cut bloom. It can be tempting to purchase fake flowers and houseplants to spruce up your space. If you know how to preserve flowers, you don’t have to do that! Plus, those fake plants are made of plastic, which sticks around for far longer than we’d like. Skip the fake flowers and learn to preserve real flowers instead.

How to Preserve Flowers

Though there are lots of ways to preserve flowers, the easiest involves no additional ingredients. Plus, these options are totally plastic free.

How to Preserve Flowers by Pressing

1. Gather supplies – flowers, scissors, heavy/large books, and absorbent sheets of paper (watercolour paper or cardstock is great)
2. Decide if pressing the flower with leaves and stem or without – if pressing flowers with the stem, remove any unwanted leaves
3. Place one sheet of paper in the book, about halfway in
4. Place the flower face down on the paper, then place another sheet on top
5. Close the book and add more books on top
6. Leave to sit for three to four weeks and you\’re done.

How to Preserve Flowers by Hanging Upside-Down

1. Gather supplies – flowers, twine or rubber bands, and scissors
2. Remove any unwanted leaves or foliage with the scissors
3. If drying multiple flowers, form a bouquet by tying the stems together using twine or a rubber band
4. Hang flowers in a well-ventilated, dry, and dark place – direct sunlight will fade their colour
5. Leave hanging for two to three weeks, then remove and add to a jug or pot to display.

 

Where to Find Flowers

You may be wondering where exactly to get these flowers to preserve. For some of us, flowers aren’t readily available. Here is a list of places to consider:

• Community garden
• Local park
• Farmers market
• Go on a foraging walk around your neighbourhood
• Ask to take leftover flowers from an event space
• Ask a neighbour
• Ask a friend

There you have it – a step-by-step on how to preserve flowers in two different ways! Preserving flowers is a great way to respect the environment, but it can also be a great act of self care. Taking time to with yourself to spruce up your space can be very calming and grounding. For more ideas on self care, check out my interview with Cadie Piecuch, all about self love.

Have you tried this before – what type of flower would you most like to press?

I hope you’ve found this blog helpful! As always, you can support me and the site by buying me a cup of tea or sharing the site with a friend. Your support means the world to me!