Can You Dry Sedum Flowers? Tips for Preserving These Beauties

Sedums are prized for their long-lasting star-shaped flower heads that bloom in late summer and fall. Their rich colors like pink, red, orange and purple add a pop of color to both gardens and floral arrangements. When the blooms fade, many gardeners want to know – can you dry sedum flowers to preserve them? The answer is yes! With proper harvesting and drying methods, the flower heads can retain much of their form and color.

Why Dry Sedums?

There are several reasons to dry sedum blooms:

• Provides long-lasting decoration for the home and craft projects
• Allows you to keep enjoying their beauty beyond the growing season
• Makes unique gifts like potpourris and wreaths
• Sustains pollinators by providing habitat over winter

Drying the flowers at peak color and form is key to getting great results Timing it right as blooms start to fade but before they fully brown will maximize color retention

How to Dry Sedums Successfully

Drying sedum flower heads takes patience but is fairly straightforward Here are some tips

Harvesting

• Cut flower heads when blooms are mostly spent but still have good color.
• Use clean, sharp pruners or scissors.
• Cut stems several inches long to allow for shrinkage.
• Gather early in the day after dew has dried.

Preparing & Drying

• Remove leaves and any dead blooms from stems.
• Gather into small bundles held with rubber bands.
• Hang bundles upside down in a warm, dry, dark place with good airflow.
• An attic, shed or closet works well. Use a clothes hanger, pegboard or tacks.
• Checking weekly, stems should dry completely in 2-4 weeks.

After Drying

• Remove any petals/blooms that didn’t dry fully.
• Carefully remove rubber bands and trim stems evenly.
• Store in an airtight container like a glass jar out of direct light.
• Add desiccant packets if humidity is an issue.

Displaying

• Place in vases, bowls, wreaths or garlands as desired.
• Mix colors for a fuller, attractive look.
• Pair with other dried flowers like statice, strawflowers or lavender.

Things to Avoid When Drying Sedums

Some common mistakes can sabotage your drying efforts, so keep these tips in mind:

• Don’t harvest too early or blooms will be green and lack vibrant color.

• Avoid cutting in rainy damp weather which can lead to mold.

• Don’t dry in direct sunlight which will fade colors.

• Don’t crowd drying stems which prevents air circulation.

• Don’t leave drying too long or stems/blooms can become brittle and shatter.

Considerations for the Best Species to Dry

While all sedums can be dried, some varieties have characteristics that make them better choices:

• Upright species like Autumn Joy and Autumn Fire dry best. Trailing types are tricky.

• Darker blooms like purple or red dry with more intense color vs paler pink or white shades.

• Thicker flower heads retain their shape better than thin, wispy ones.

• Avoid sedums prone to shattering like Show Off that drop petals easily when dry.

Alternative Methods Beyond Air Drying

If you’re struggling to dry sedum blooms through air drying, some other options include:

• Sand – Bury stems in a container of dry sand which absorbs moisture from the flowers.

• Silica Gel – Place flower heads in an airtight container layered with the desiccant.

• Microwave – Arrange on paper towels and microwave for 1-2 minutes until crispy.

• Pressing – Place flower heads between sheets of paper weighted down. This flatten flowers but retains color.

• Freeze drying – Use a commercial freeze dryer appliance or homemade styrofoam cooler method.

Enjoying Your Dried Sedum Flowers

The payoff for properly dried sedum blooms is enjoying their beauty long after summer ends. Here are some fun ways to use them:

• Display in bowls or vases as dried flower arrangements

• Incorporate into wreaths, swags or garlands

• Use to make fragrant potpourri

• Craft into candles, sachets or gifts

• Fill clear glass ornaments for holiday decorations

• Add to dried flower bouquets and pressed flower art

So don’t let those sedum blooms go to waste next time they fade. With a little effort, you can dry sedum flowers and add their vibrant hues to your indoor decor all year long.