Goodbye wait and hello excitement. Your selection of dried flowers and grasses has been delivered to your front door. Now what? Make the most of them of course! Enjoy them every day and for a long time, we reckon.
To get the most out of your new dried blooms, our florists have put together their top tips on how to look after dried flowers and foliage, how to display them, and what not to do. A few simple habits make all the difference to how long they last. New to dried flowers? Start with our guide to dried flowers.
Why should you take good care of your new dried flowers?
Well preserved dried flowers have this ageless quality and natural beauty about them. They just need a little bit of TLC and they’ll stay that way for quite a long time. We are lucky in Australia to have such a great range of native flowers in our own backyard - many of them make excellent dried flowers as well as grasses. For some Aussie inspiration, check out our blog on the top 5 Australian native flowers.
We happily admit it, objectivity has flown out the window when it comes to our dried blooms and grasses. We love them, take pride in what we do, and enjoy sharing our passion with others. So it should come as no surprise that we want them to look perfect from the get-go and for as long as possible.
How to Care for Your Dried Flowers and Grasses
Let’s set the scene: Your box of professionally dried flowers and grasses has arrived at your front door.
To keep this new arrival looking perfect, here’s your step-by-step guide of dos and don’ts.
Step 1. Unwrap and Be Gentle
Who doesn’t like a parcel, expected or not, right? Don’t rip open your box of dried goodies right there and then though. Take it inside, or to a sheltered spot before unwrapping your flowers. Depending on what you’ve ordered, they may be quite delicate. You don’t want them to break in strong winds or get rained on before you even had a chance to properly admire them. If you’ve ordered a ready-made bouquet, keep the string tied. If you received your DIY kit or individual gems from the dried flower bar, get creative!
Step 2. Show Off Your Dried Blooms
Photo by Nguyenthibeut on Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0, cropped
First up, dried flowers won’t need water of course. That gives you a much bigger choice of vessels to display them in. We are thinking a quirky cardboard box or cloth bag, a rustic wooden box, or even a chicken wire creation will work well. What vase or container you choose depends on the flowers and grasses you’ve chosen, their height and colours but also where they are going to be placed.
For styling ideas, see our guide to using dried flowers in your home decor.
Step 3. Choose the Right Spot
You might have already had that perfect spot in mind when you ordered your dried bouquet. Apart from that extra touch of boho chic and natural beauty that your dried beauties will add to a space, there are a few things to consider though: Always display your dried blooms and grasses indoors. It’s important that they are out of direct sunlight and out of a draft. They also don’t like big temperature changes and won’t do well in the humid air. For example, if you plan to hang up your dried flowers, they will do far better on an indoor wall than on a door that gets opened and closed a lot.
Step 4. Keep Them Out of Reach of Little Hands and Paws
Your dried flowers and grasses are delicate little creatures so need a ‘quiet’ and sheltered place. That means out of reach of curious hands but also out of reach of fluffy creatures who might rub their fur against them. Dried flowers are perhaps also better off on a sideboard than on the dining room table where they get shifted regularly.
Step 5. Give Them a Dust-Up Every Now and Then
Because professionally dried flowers can last for up to two years, they can also gather dust in their lifetime. The best way to give them a spruce up is to dust them lightly with a feather duster. If you have one at home, a little manual air blower, one you would use to clean your camera or your pc keyboard, for example, can also work. Again, it depends a bit on how delicate your dried blossoms are.
Never wash or spray dried flowers with water. If a bunch has lost its shape, a few seconds of steam from a kettle held at a safe distance can help relax bent stems and petals; let them dry fully before putting them back.
Step 6. Protect Them From Sun and Humidity
Direct sunlight is the main reason dried flowers fade, so keep them away from bright windows. Moisture is the other enemy: avoid bathrooms, laundries and kitchens, where steam can make stems droop and petals go mouldy. In humid parts of Australia, a room with air conditioning or a dehumidifier helps them last longer.
If you want to stop petals shedding, a light mist of unscented hairspray held about 30 centimetres away can help hold them in place.
Step 7. Sit Back and Enjoy!
How Long Do Dried Flowers Last?
Professionally dried blooms and foliage can last up to two years with the right care, and often longer. It depends on the flowers: a dried lotus pod is far sturdier than dried amaranthus, and cotton flowers can be harder to keep looking fresh and fluffy. Preserved flowers are different again; read the difference between dried and preserved flowers.
When colours have faded and stems become brittle, it’s time to refresh your arrangement. Faded stems can still be used in wreaths, potpourri or craft projects.
Enjoy Flowers That Last
Adding dried flowers to a space is one of the easiest ways to lift its mood and look, and you won’t have to replace them after a week or two. Looking for something fresh for another room? Browse our flowers by price. For more answers about ordering and care, see our FAQs.