How to Preserve Dahlia Flowers – A Comprehensive Guide to Drying and Storing Your Gorgeous Blooms

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Have you ever wondered if you could dry dahlias? You can! Here’s how to do it so you can keep their blooms all winter.

If you like dahlias as much as I do, it’s probably because of how pretty their flowers are. For those of you who are like me, the start of fall makes you a little sad because you won’t have fresh, pretty dahlias until the next growing season.

I grow a lot of flowers every year and cut fresh ones for my house almost every day during the growing season, so that love is a little more than love and getting close to obsession.

I was sad when summer ended because I knew I wouldn’t be able to enjoy my fresh flower arrangements anymore.

That’s when I started exploring how to dry flowers. I wanted to be able to enjoy flowers from my garden even during the cold weather months. I’m going to tell you my tricks and tips in case you also want to learn how to do it.

Dahlias are one of the most spectacular flowers that bloom in late summer and fall. Their vibrant colors and stunning forms make them a favorite for gardens and floral arrangements. However, their beauty is fleeting and the flowers only last about a week once cut. Luckily, there are methods you can use to preserve dahlia blooms so you can continue enjoying them for months after the growing season ends.

This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about preserving dahlias through drying and proper storage Follow these tips to keep your flowers looking their best until you are ready to display them,

When is the Best Time to Pick Dahlias for Preserving?

  • Harvest dahlias when the blooms are fully open and at their peak vibrancy Choose flowers that are free of blemishes or damage

  • Avoid blooms that are partially open or just starting to fade. These will not preserve well.

  • Pick the flowers in early morning or late afternoon when they are coolest and most hydrated.

How to Dry Dahlias for Long Lasting Blooms

There are a few methods for drying dahlias:

Air Drying

This is the most common technique and the easiest:

  • Cut stems leaving plenty of length remove foliage.

  • Bundle 3-5 stems together and secure at base with rubber band.

  • Hang bundles upside down in a dark, dry, well-ventilated area.

  • Allow 2-3 weeks to fully dry. Check periodically for mold.

  • Can also dry upright by placing in vases or florist foam. Turn vases periodically.

Silica Gel Drying

This desiccant method dries flowers quickly while preserving colors:

  • Place single blooms face down in shallow, airtight container.

  • Cover with silica gel about 2 inches deep.

  • Flowers dry in 1-2 weeks.

  • Recharge silica gel beads periodically by baking to remove moisture.

Pressing

Pressing dahlias between sheets flattens them nicely for crafts:

  • Place flower between two blotting papers. Top with pressing board.

  • Put heavy books or weights on top and allow 3-6 weeks to flatten.

  • Change blotting papers periodically as they absorb moisture.

  • Works best for single dahlia heads rather than whole stems.

Pro Tips for Drying Dahlias Successfully

Follow these expert tips for best results when drying your flowers:

  • Dry similar colored blooms together, as drying times vary. Dark dahlias may take longer than light colors.

  • Use sharp scissors or pruners for harvesting. Crushing stems can inhibit water flow during drying.

  • Cut stems longer than needed then trim to desired length after dried. This prevents splitting.

  • Dry in low humidity – under 50% is ideal. High humidity takes much longer and risks mold.

  • Hang bundles loosely so air circulates freely. Crowding causes distortion.

  • Inspect regularly and discard any flowers that develop rot or mold to prevent spreading.

Storing Your Dried Dahlias for Maximum Longevity

Proper storage is key to preserving your dried dahlias for seasons to come:

  • Allow flowers to dry completely – test that stems are rigid and bloom feels lightweight.

  • Store blooms spaced out between sheets of tissue or parchment paper in a cool, dark place.

  • Prevent crushing by not stacking too many blooms or heavy objects on top.

  • Use sealable plastic bags or airtight containers for storage. Silica gel packets help absorb residual moisture.

  • Check periodically for pests like insects which can still damage dried flowers over time. Discard any affected blooms.

  • Avoid high humidity, temperature extremes, and direct light which can shorten lifespan.

  • Expect some fading over time, especially of darker colors. Most dahlias retain a muted version of their original hue.

Displaying Your Preserved Dahlias Creatively

Here are some ideas for highlighting your dried dahlias around your home:

  • Create unique autumn wreaths by wiring blooms to grape vine bases.

  • Arrange stems in vintage vases or glass jars for seasonal centerpieces.

  • Adorn candle centerpieces by gluing individual petals around pillars or hurricanes.

  • Make bouquets by bundling dried stems with raffia, ribbon, or fall foliage accents.

  • Craft beautiful flower crowns and garlands using preserved blooms.

  • Decorate place cards, mirrors, and framed pictures by affixing dahlia petals for a lovely touch.

With proper timing, drying method, and storage, you can keep your precious dahlia blooms looking gorgeous for 1-3 years after harvesting. Follow these preservation tips and you’ll be able to create spectacular displays using your homegrown flowers long after your plants have gone dormant until next season.

How to Dry Out Dahlias

Use this process to dry your dahlias so you can enjoy their blooms for much longer.

Here are some tips for collecting the best blooms for drying:

  • You don’t have to wait until fall to pick the flowers you want to dry when they are almost at their best. You can do it at any time during the growing season.
  • You should only use flowers with nice shapes because that’s how they’ll dry. Flowers with bad shapes should also not be used.
  • Only use flowers that don’t have any bugs or diseases on them, because those flaws will stand out a lot after they dry.
  • It’s best to gather more flowers than you think you’ll need, since some might not dry well.

how to preserve dahlia flowers

Faster Results Using the Microwave

If you don’t want to wait seven days, you can use a microwave to speed up the process and get results almost right away.

Here’s how:

  • Use a glass or oven-proof container.
  • Warm up an inch of silica gel for one minute on high power.
  • Put your flower on the warm crystals and then cover it all with silica gel.
  • Put the bloom in the microwave on high for two to three minutes with the lid on. After that, let it sit in the silica gel for about 25 minutes until it cools down and dries out.
  • With care, take out your blooms and clean them with a soft-bristled brush to get rid of any silica gel that is still on them.
  • To keep water out of your flowers, spray them with hairspray or use Modge Podge.

The microwave method is also a bit of trial and error. Every microwave is different; every flower will have different moisture levels. The first flower you try to microwave should be one that maybe isn’t your favorite. Save the favorites until you get your method sorted out.

If the flower needs more time, you could turn down the power or leave it in the microwave for one minute longer.

Note: Your dahlias may be brittle or break easily if you over-dry them. If this happens, you can use those broken bits to make your homemade potpourri.

Make Cut Dahlia Flowers Last Longer with These Tips! // How to Harvest and Condition Dahlias

FAQ

How do you dry and preserve dahlia flowers?

Remove all the leaves from the dahlia stem. In most situations, I also remove all the small buds from the stem. Air-drying is commonly achieved by hanging flowers upside-down by the bunch or individual stem. For dahlias, I recommend hanging them separately to provide space and prevent crushing by other stems.

How do you preserve fresh cut dahlias?

Dahlias brought home from the flower or farmer’s market should get dropped in water as soon as possible. In order to maximize their relatively short 3 to 4 day vase life, warm or hot tap water is ideal.

Are dahlias good for drying?

I dried a few dahlias just by hanging them upside down in the basement earlier this summer. At first I didn’t really like them because they don’t look much like their fresh form. Then I noticed how unique each one is when dried and I am really getting into it.

How long to dry dahlias in silica?

Cover completely with silica gel. If your container is deep enough, you can preserve two layers of flowers. Flowers take between 2–7 days to dry. Slowly pour off the gel to see if they are ready.

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