To dry hydrangeas, there are two main effective methods: drying in a vase of water and hanging upside down to air dry.
Drying Hydrangeas in a Vase of Water
- Cut mature hydrangea blooms when their petals start feeling papery and changing color.
- Cut stems in the morning, strip leaves, and place the stems in a vase with water covering several inches of the stem.
- Arrange flowers with space for airflow and keep them out of direct sunlight.
- Let the water evaporate naturally as the flowers dry; add more water if needed.
- This method preserves vibrant colors and gives strong petals but may take two or more weeks.
Hanging Hydrangeas Upside Down
- Cut mature blooms, strip leaves, and tie in small bunches.
- Hang them upside down in a dry, dark, well-ventilated space.
- This method is quicker and helps retain flower shape and prevents drooping.
- Avoid sunlight to prevent color fading; drying usually takes a couple of weeks.
Additional tips:
- Cut flowers on a dry morning for best results.
- For better color preservation, dry flowers in warm, dark spaces like cupboards.
- Optional: Spray dried hydrangeas lightly with hairspray to reduce brittleness.
Both methods work well depending on time and desired effect, with vase drying keeping more vibrant color and hanging drying being faster and simpler.
