How to Preserve Flowers Like a Pro: Top Tips for Making Blooms Last17 July 2025There’s something a bit magical about receiving a bouquet of flowers, whether it’s your wedding day, a birthday treat, or just a little pick-me-up. But as beautiful as fresh blooms are, they don’t last forever… or do they? With the right flower care, and a few clever preservation tricks, you can keep those gorgeous petals going strong long after they’d usually be destined for the compost bin. Whether you’re wondering how to preserve a wedding bouquet, keen to hold on to blooms from a special moment, or just brushing up on your general flower maintenance, you’re in the right place. Keep reading for all our top tips. In this guide, we’re diving into simple, effective ways to preserve your flowers at home and how to make them last for months (or even years!). Plus, we’ll share top tips for looking after both fresh and preserved blooms so you can enjoy them for as long as possible. Why Bother Preserving Flowers? 5 Easy Ways to Preserve Flowers at Home How to Preserve Wedding Flowers (Without the Panic) Key Takeaways for Preserving Flowers Top Tips for Looking After Preserved Flowers Why Bother Preserving Flowers? Preserving flowers isn’t just about stretching out their beauty, it’s about holding onto a moment in time. Whether it’s your wedding bouquet, a sweet anniversary bunch, or a surprise delivery from someone special, preserving your blooms means you get to keep a little reminder of that feeling. It’s also: A more sustainable way to enjoy flowers A chance to create something new A way to reduce waste and reuse nature’s beauty It’s a bit like bottling up a memory. Every time you glance at those dried petals or framed blooms, you’re taken back. 5 Easy Ways to Preserve Flowers at Home Preserving flowers at home doesn’t have to be complicated, promise. Whether you’re crafty or prefer the easy route, here are some tried-and-tested methods. 1. Air Drying (The No-Fuss Method) Probably the easiest way to preserve flowers. Ideal for roses, eucalyptus, statice, and lavender, anything with a bit of structure. How to: Remove any extra leaves Tie the stems together with string or twine Hang upside down in a dark, dry place for about two weeks You’ll get a lovely rustic, slightly vintage vibe, perfect for home décor 2. Pressing (Perfect for Craft Projects) Pressed flowers are fab for frames, cards, bookmarks, anything you want to flatten and admire. How to: Place your flower between parchment or baking paper Sandwich it inside a big, heavy book (or use a flower press) Leave for 1-2 weeks, changing paper if it gets damp Best for small, flat flowers like pansies, daisies, violets, and forget-me-nots. 3. Silica Gel (For Keeping Colour & Shape) Silica gel might sound sciencey, but it’s actually brilliant for preserving flowers with their shape and colour intact, great for wedding flowers. How to: Fill an airtight container with silica crystals Nestle your blooms gently inside Cover completely and leave sealed for 5-7 days It may be fiddly, but the results are often stunning. 4. Glycerin Soaking (Soft & Long-Lasting) Rather than drying the flower, this method replaces the moisture with glycerin so they stay flexible and soft. How to: Mix 1 part glycerin with 2 parts water Place the stems in the solution Leave for 2-3 weeks Works best for greenery and more robust flowers like carnations and hydrangeas. 5. Resin Casting (For Keepsakes) Once your flowers are completely dried, you can embed them in clear resin to make paperweights, coasters or even jewellery. It’s definitely a project, but if you’re into DIY or crafts, the final result can be showstopping. How to Preserve Wedding Flowers (Without the Panic) Weddings go by in a blur, so it’s no wonder so many couples want to hang onto their bouquet. Whether you go the DIY route or call in pros, here’s how to get started. Air-Dry & Display Hang the bouquet to dry, then pop it in a glass dome or vintage-style vase as a keepsake. Press & Frame Pick out your favourite blooms, press them flat, and frame them for some sentimental wall art. Tips for Wedding Flower Preservation: Keep the bouquet in water after the ceremony (don’t let it dry out too soon) Start the preservation process within 48 hours for best results Choose flowers that preserve well: roses, peonies, eucalyptus, and hydrangeas are great choices Avoid fragile blooms like tulips unless you're working with a pro Want to chat about your bridal bouquet? Get in touch via our wedding flowers page. Key Takeaways for Preserving Flowers There’s more than one way to preserve your flowers, try air drying, pressing, silica, glycerin or resin The method you choose depends on what you want to do with the flowers (display vs craft vs keepsake) Start preservation while the flowers are still fresh With the right care, preserved flowers can last 6 months to several years Preserving flowers is a sustainable, sentimental way to keep your memories alive Top Tips for Looking After Preserved Flowers Even once your flowers are preserved, they’ll need a little attention to keep them looking lovely. Do: Keep out of direct sunlight (they’ll fade) Dust gently with a soft brush or cool hairdryer Display in a dry room, no steamy bathrooms! Don’t: Don’t get them wet (water = mould) Don’t squash them into a tight frame or vase Don’t put them near radiators, fires, or open windows With a little TLC, your preserved blooms could last for years. Frequently Asked Questions How long can preserved flowers last? It depends on the method and how you care for them. Silica gel and glycerin methods can last several years, while air-dried flowers often last 6–12 months. Keep them dry and out of sunlight and they’ll stay looking their best. How do I look after flowers at home? Fresh flowers: Change the water every 2-3 days Snip the stems at an angle Keep away from heat and direct light Preserved flowers: Don’t water! Dust gently now and again Keep somewhere dry and cool Can I preserve any bouquet? Most bouquets can be preserved, but some flowers hold up better than others. Good options include: Roses Eucalyptus Lavender Statice Hydrangeas Delicate flowers like daffodils or tulips might need a professional hand, but it’s not impossible. Start Preserving Your Stunning Bouquet from Julies Flowers Today Flowers don’t have to be here today, gone tomorrow. With the right care, you can enjoy those special blooms for months, even years. Whether it’s your wedding bouquet, a birthday bunch, or something sentimental you want to keep forever, preservation lets you hang on to the moment. From simple air-drying to custom framing, there’s a method for every memory. Thinking about preserving a special bouquet? Let’s chat, we’d love to help you pick the right blooms for your occasion. Related Articles Top 7 Flowers for Your Home in Summer Bring Good Luck into Your New Home with Fresh Flowers Predicting 2025’s Wedding Flower Bouquet Trends