How to Rehydrate Dried Flowers for Long-Lasting Beauty

Dried flowers are a gorgeous, low-maintenance decor option. But over time, dried blooms can lose their vibrancy and appear dried out. Luckily, there are easy ways to rehydrate dried flowers to restore their color and fullness.

In this guide you’ll learn

• Why dried flowers lose their vibrance over time
• Different methods for rehydrating dried flowers
• How long rehydration lasts
• Tips for preserving color after rehydrating
• When to discard dried flowers

Follow these simple techniques to give your faded dried flowers new life. Your floral arrangements will look freshly picked once again!

Why Dried Flowers Lose Color and Texture

Dried flowers are removed from their water source and slowly air dried or dried using desiccants. This drying process removes moisture from the blooms. Over time, dried flowers continue losing residual moisture, causing them to lose vibrancy.

Specifically, the loss of moisture causes dried flowers to:

• Lose color, turning lighter or brown
• Wilt, shrivel, and appear crunchy
• Become brittle and fragile

Rehydrating replaces some of this lost moisture to plump up flowers and restore color. Let’s look at the best rehydration methods.

How to Rehydrate Dried Flowers

Here are some simple techniques for rehydrating dried flowers:

Glycerin Solution

• Make a solution of 1 part glycerin to 2 parts hot water. Allow to cool.
• Submerge flowers in the solution overnight or up to 48 hours.
• Drain and gently shake flowers to remove excess solution before displaying.

Hot Water

• Prepare a bowl of hot tap water, around 125°F.
• Place flowers in the hot water for 30 minutes.
• Gently swirl and turn flowers to evenly rehydrate.
• Remove and let drain before arranging.

Mist Spray

• Fill a spray bottle with warm, distilled water.
• Lightly mist dried flowers until slightly damp.
• Allow to dry completely before handling.

Steam

• Hold dried flowers above a steaming pot of water for 20-30 seconds.
• The steam will provide gentle hydration.
• Rotate flowers to evenly expose to steam.

How Long Does Rehydration Last?

The effects of rehydration are temporary. Glycerin will preserve dried flowers for the longest time, around 1-3 months. Other methods may only last 1-2 weeks before flowers start to dry again.

To maximize longevity after rehydrating:

• Display flowers out of direct light and heat
• Keep flowers dusted
• Consider occasional touch-up hydration

Preserving Color After Rehydration

Rehydrated blooms will eventually fade again. Here are some tips to lock in color:

• Add flower dye or food coloring to glycerin solution
• Mist with floral sealant sprays
• Coat with protective UV sprays
• Display out of sunlight in climate controlled rooms

Avoid moisture, which speeds deterioration. Never display rehydrated flowers in water.

When to Discard Dried Flowers

It’s time to compost your dried flowers when:

• Rehydration methods no longer restore vibrancy
• Flowers don’t regain shape and appear crunchy
• Blooms are very brittle and falling apart
• Mold or rot develops

Well-cared for dried flowers can last upwards of 1-3 years. But when in doubt, remember dried flowers are inexpensive to replace.

Quick Dried Flower Rehydration Tips

• Use the rehydration method best suited to your blooms. Delicate flowers do better with misting vs. submersion.

• Handle flowers gently after rehydrating. Rehydrated blooms are fragile until completely dry again.

• Turn flowers periodically during the process for even exposure.

• Never rehydrate flowers packed in silica gel. This removes their natural oils.

Get the Most from Your Dried Flowers

With a little TLC, your dried floral arrangements can last seasons or even years. Simple rehydration techniques restore vibrancy, plumpness, and color when blooms start looking dry.

Follow these best practices for occasionally rehydrating your dried flowers. You’ll be able to enjoy their effortless beauty for many years to come. Your flowers will look like you just picked them from the garden!