Flowers that dry well
27 cut flowers, branches and textures that keep their shape and colour when dried, with three drying methods and the flowers that do not dry at all.
Key facts
- Hang small bunches upside down in a dark, dry, airy place for two to three weeks.
- Papery and woody flowers dry best; fleshy flowers such as tulips and lilies do not.
Flowers and materials that dry well
| Flower | Role | In season | Colours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rose | Focal flower | Year-round | red, pink, white, yellow, orange, purple, green |
| Hydrangea | Focal flower | Summer | blue, pink, white, purple, green |
| Baby's breath | Filler flower | Year-round | white, pink |
| Delphinium | Line flower | Spring, Summer | blue, purple, white, pink |
| Eucalyptus | Foliage | Year-round | green, silver-grey |
| Winterberry | Accent / texture | Autumn, Winter | red, orange |
| Globe amaranth | Filler flower | Summer, Autumn | purple, pink, white, red |
| Statice | Filler flower | Year-round | purple, blue, pink, white, yellow |
| Lavender | Filler flower | Summer | purple |
| Celosia | Focal flower | Summer, Autumn | red, orange, yellow, pink |
| Craspedia (billy buttons) | Filler flower | Year-round | yellow |
| Protea | Focal flower | Winter, Spring | pink, white, red |
| Salvia | Line flower | Summer | blue, purple |
| Cornflower | Filler flower | Spring, Summer | blue, pink, white |
| Pussy willow | Branch | Winter, Spring | silver-grey |
| Red-twig dogwood | Branch | Winter | red |
| Lotus pod | Accent / texture | Summer, Autumn | green |
| Palm leaves | Foliage | Year-round | green |
| Cotton stems | Accent / texture | Autumn | white |
| Wheat ears | Accent / texture | Summer | yellow |
| Allium | Focal flower | Spring, Summer | purple, white |
| Astilbe | Filler flower | Summer | pink, white, red |
| Eryngium (sea holly) | Filler flower | Summer | blue, silver-grey |
| Kangaroo paw | Line flower | Spring, Summer | red, yellow, orange, green |
| Solidago (goldenrod) | Filler flower | Summer, Autumn | yellow |
| Leucadendron | Accent / texture | Year-round | red, green, yellow |
| Banksia | Accent / texture | Year-round | orange, yellow, red |
Three ways to dry
- Hang upside down — the default: small bunches, dark, dry and airy, two to three weeks.
- Dry in the vase — for hydrangea, gypsophila, craspedia, protea and banksia: leave them in a few centimetres of water and let it evaporate.
- Keep dry from the start — pussy willow, cotton, wheat and lotus pods should never go into water.
Dried material is brittle and flammable: keep it away from candles and out of damp rooms, and expect colours to fade over months in direct light.
Longest-lasting cut flowers · Foliage and branches for arrangements · Cut flower care and conditioning guide
FAQ
Which flowers dry best?
Flowers with papery or woody structure hold their shape and colour: rose, hydrangea, baby's breath, delphinium, eucalyptus, winterberry, globe amaranth, statice, lavender, celosia.
How do you air-dry flowers?
Strip the leaves, tie small bunches, and hang them upside down somewhere dark, dry and airy for two to three weeks. Darkness keeps the colour; airflow prevents mould.
Can roses be dried?
Yes. Hang them upside down just before they are fully open; the colour deepens as they dry.
Which flowers do not dry well?
Fleshy, water-filled flowers such as tulips, lilies, calla lilies and gerberas shrivel or rot rather than dry.