How to Preserve Fresh Flowers as Keepsakes

13 May 2569

Fresh flowers naturally wither over time, leaving behind only the beautiful memories shared between us and the people we love. However, did you know that there are many ways to preserve flowers and turn them into meaningful keepsakes even after they have dried?

1. Let them dry naturally

Divide the flowers into small bunches of 5–10 stems, tie them together at the stems, and hang them upside down. This helps keep the stems straight, because if they are not hung upside down, the stems will bend downward due to gravity. They should be hung in a dry place away from direct sunlight, such as an air-conditioned room or a garage.

2. Pressing flowers

This can be done by placing flowers inside a book. It is a very charming hobby, and the pressed flowers can later be used as bookmarks, displayed in frames, or used to decorate other items. If you are planning to buy a bouquet for your partner or a friend and know that they enjoy making cute handmade things like this, a bouquet of beautifully colored roses is recommended, because this method works especially well with flowers that have many overlapping petals, such as roses.

Before placing the flowers in a book, they should be trimmed first. For example, if you want your pressed flower to appear in a top-view position, you should cut off the base of the flower and remove the petals at the back, since they are no longer needed. If you want a side view, cut the flower in half lengthwise and remove some inner petals so it will dry more quickly.

If you want the flowers to keep their bright colors as if they had not yet been pressed, place the petals on a sheet of white paper and cover them with another sheet of white paper. Then heat them in a microwave on medium power for about 5–10 seconds. After that, let them cool for a while before placing them inside a phone book to press.

3. Use fine silica gel desiccant

Start by cutting the stems of the flowers you want to dry, leaving about 1 inch of stem. Then prepare a container large enough to hold the flowers. Pour in fine silica gel to a depth of about 1/2 to 1 inch. Place the prepared flowers into the container, and then use a spoon to gently pour more silica gel around the flowers and between the petals and leaves. Be careful not to bend the petals. Continue until the flowers are completely covered.

The drying time depends on the type of flower. For roses, close the lid tightly and leave them for about 7 to 10 days. For orchids, there is no need to close the lid right away. Instead, place the container in the microwave on high power for 1 minute, then remove it and let it cool. Once the flowers are dry enough, carefully pour out the silica gel and use a soft brush to gently remove any remaining granules, since dried flowers are very fragile.

Silica gel can be reused many times. When the blue beads turn pink, they should be heated at 250 degrees Fahrenheit for about 20 minutes until they turn blue again, and then they can be used again.

4. Using glycerin to preserve leaves

To prepare the soaking solution, mix 1 part glycerin (which can be found at chemical supply shops for soap making) with 2 parts very warm water. Stir well and let it cool. Make enough solution to completely cover the leaves.

Next, prepare the leaves by choosing ones that are beautiful and in perfect condition, without scratches or tears. Such marks will become more noticeable after the preservation process. Arrange the leaves in a container with the base of the leaves at the bottom and the tips pointing upward. Then pour in the solution until the leaves are fully submerged. Leave them for 2 weeks to 2 months. After that, remove the leaves, rinse them with water, wipe them dry, and place them in a breezy area until completely dry.