How to Preserve Flowers in Silica

Fresh flower arrangements are beautiful but only last about a week or so before they start to wither. Preserved flowers can last much longer. Silica gel is an easy way to preserve flowers. The silica gel you find in packaged foods, shoes or electronics to absorb moisture is the same kind of silica gel you would use to dry flowers. Flowers dried using silica gel are vibrant and holds their shape well. Silica gel can be found in most craft and hobby stores. Some silica gels are specially made to change colors when flowers are completely free of moisture.

Things You'll Need

• Flowers
• Knife or scissors
• Container(s)
• Silica gel

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Instructions

• 1

  Prepare the flowers for drying. Cut stems in uniform lengths and remove any unwanted leaves. If you have more than one kind of flower, group like flowers together. Use separate containers for each kind of flower because their drying times may vary.

• 2

  Pour an inch of silica in each container. Make sure that the containers are airtight or else the silica will absorb moisture from the air and it will take longer for the flowers to dry.

• 3

  Place flowers in the container. The flowers should be in a single layer about an inch apart from each other.

• 4

  Pour another inch of silica over the flowers. As you do this, make sure the flowers are kept in their natural shape and structure. Depending on the flowers, you may have to use more than an inch of silica to completely cover them.

• 5

  Place another layer of flowers on top of the new layer of silica.

• 6

  Pour another layer of silica over the new layer of flowers. Repeat this process until the entire container is filled. Silica should be the very last layer.

• 7

  Seal the container and do not open for at least three days.

• 8

  Check your flowers. They are completely dry when they feel papery. If they are not completely dry, seal the container and let them dry for another day. Keep checking on them every day until they are dry.

• 9

  Brush or blow off the silica from the flowers when they are completely dry. Work layer by layer. Be gentle when doing this or you may damage the flowers.

• 10

  If your container is microwave-safe, you can speed up the drying process by drying the flowers in a microwave oven. Place the flowers and silica in the sealed container as in the steps above. Set the microwave to medium heat and leave the container in the microwave for 3 minutes. Let cool for 15 minutes before opening. If the flowers are not completely dry, leave them in the microwave oven for an additional 30 seconds. Let cool before opening the container.