Dried and preserved flowers: how long they last, care tips and trends

Dried flowers usually last from several months to a year or two, and sometimes longer, as long as they are kept away from direct sunlight, humidity and heat. Preserved (stabilised) flowers, whose sap has been replaced with a glycerine-based solution, stay soft and colourful for a year or more with the same precautions. Neither needs water; both need a little dusting and a dry, shaded spot.

This guide explains the difference between dried and preserved flowers, the best varieties, how to care for them, how to dry your own bouquet and how to choose between dried and fresh flowers.

Dried vs preserved vs fresh flowers

How long do dried flowers last?

The answer depends on three factors:

1. The variety. Sturdy flowers (statice, strawflower, lavender, pampas grass, bunny tails) last much longer than delicate ones (dried roses can shed petals sooner).
2. Light. Direct sun fades colours quickly, often within weeks.
3. Humidity. In a damp bathroom or kitchen, dried flowers can go limp or develop mould.

In a dry, shaded living room, most dried bouquets keep their charm for many months. When they become dusty, faded or start to crumble, it’s time to replace them.

The best flowers for drying

How to care for dried flowers

• Location: a dry, shaded spot away from windows, radiators and steamy rooms.
• Dusting: a hairdryer on the cool, low setting, held at a distance, or a soft make-up brush.
• No water: never put dried or preserved flowers in water.
• Handle gently: stems become brittle; move the bouquet by the vase rather than the flowers.
• Shedding: grasses and pampas may shed a little. A light mist of hairspray from a distance helps hold them together.
• Pets: curious cats may nibble dried flowers; some plants are toxic even when dried. See our list of flowers toxic to cats and dogs.

How to care for preserved flowers

Preserved roses and flowers are often sold under glass domes or in boxes. To keep them looking good:

• keep them away from direct sunlight (colours fade) and humidity (the flowers can “sweat” the preservation solution);
• avoid heat and temperature swings;
• don’t touch the petals too often;
• never water them.

How to dry your own bouquet

Want to keep a wedding bouquet, an anniversary bouquet or a special gift? Here are the main methods.

Air drying (the simplest)

1. Choose flowers at their best, just before they are fully open.
2. Remove the leaves from the lower stems.
3. Tie small bunches with string or a rubber band (stems shrink as they dry).
4. Hang them upside down in a dark, dry, ventilated place (a cupboard, an attic, a spare room).
5. Wait two to three weeks until the stems snap rather than bend.

Pressing

Place flowers between sheets of absorbent paper inside a heavy book for several weeks. Ideal for flat flowers (pansies, violets, leaves) and for framing.

Silica gel

Bury flowers in silica gel (sold in craft shops) for a few days. This method keeps shape and colour best, especially for roses and peonies.

Tip: flowers dry best when they are fresh. Don’t wait until a bouquet is wilting to start; you’ll get much better results a few days after you receive it. Our guide on how to make flowers last longer helps keep them in top condition until then.

Trends in dried flowers

Dried flowers have moved far beyond the dusty bouquets of the past. Popular uses today include:

• Neutral, natural palettes of pampas, bunny tails, wheat and bleached grasses;
• Colourful bouquets mixing dyed grasses with statice and strawflowers;
• Dried flower wreaths for doors and walls, all year round;
• Wedding bouquets and buttonholes that become keepsakes; see our wedding flowers guide;
• Small “bud vase” arrangements for desks and shelves;
• Framed pressed flowers as personal art.

Are dried flowers more sustainable?

They last much longer, which means fewer replacements. But sustainability depends on how they were grown, transported and treated: some dried and preserved flowers are bleached or dyed. If this matters to you, ask about origin and treatments, and see our guides to sustainable flowers in Switzerland and to where cut flowers come from.

Dried flowers and allergies

Dried flowers release little or no fresh pollen, which can make them a reasonable option for some allergy sufferers. However, they collect dust, which can bother sensitive people. Our guide to hypoallergenic flowers covers the alternatives.

Dried, preserved or fresh: which to choose?

Common mistakes with dried flowers

• Placing them in a sunny window: colours fade within weeks.
• Putting them in the bathroom: humidity makes them limp and can cause mould.
• Dusting with a damp cloth: water stains and breaks fragile petals.
• Squeezing them into a narrow vase: brittle stems snap. Choose a vase with a wide enough neck.
• Keeping them forever: even well-kept dried flowers eventually look tired. Replace them when they become dull and dusty; they can usually go in the compost if they haven’t been dyed or treated.
• Mixing dried and fresh flowers in water: dried stems rot and spoil the water for the fresh ones.

Do dried flowers carry meaning?

Some traditions see dried flowers as a symbol of lasting memory, which is why many people dry their wedding bouquet or flowers from a meaningful occasion. Statice, for example, traditionally means remembrance. For the meaning of each flower, see our language of flowers dictionary.