Although fresh-cut flowers are beautiful, you cant deny the appeal of dried blooms. For starters, drying flowers gives them a faded look, which is pretty and moody to boot. Dried flowers are last a long time, making them ideal for bouquets and DIY projects alike.
However, if your dried flowers are looking worse for wear, dont be so quick to toss them. Per @lhk.interiors on TikTok, its possible to refresh them using a handheld steamer.
On TikTok, the content creators shows a stem of squished and sad dried hydrangeas. But after they steam the blooms for a few seconds, the hydrangeas instantly perk up. It appears the steam helps rehydrate the flowers just enough to regain their shape and form.
All that said, avoid steaming the flowers for too long, advises @lhk.interiors. Otherwise, the stems will become too limp and break.
As fans of dried flowers, well definitely be bookmarking this hack. Who knew a steamer would be so handy for home decor?
Dried flowers are a gorgeous and low-maintenance decor option for any home. But over time, even the most beautiful dried blooms can lose their vibrancy and appear dried out. Luckily, there are some easy and effective ways to rehydrate dried flowers to restore their vibrant color and fullness.
In this comprehensive guide, we will cover everything you need to know about reviving your dried flowers, including:
- Why dried flowers lose their color and texture over time
- The best methods for rehydrating dried flowers
- How long rehydration lasts
- Tips for preserving color after rehydrating
- When it’s time to discard dried flowers
Follow these simple techniques and you’ll be able to breathe new life into faded dried flowers. Your floral arrangements will look freshly picked once again!
Why Do Dried Flowers Lose Their Vibrancy?
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 fade and lose their vibrancy.
Specifically, the loss of moisture causes dried flowers to:
- Lose their vivid color, turning lighter or brown
- Wilt, shrivel up, and appear crunchy
- Become brittle and fragile
Rehydrating your dried flowers replaces some of this lost moisture to plump up the blooms and restore their color. Let’s look at the best methods for rehydration.
How to Rehydrate Dried Flowers
Here are some simple and effective 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 the longest, 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 over time. Here are some tips to help lock in color after rehydrating:
- Add flower dye or food coloring to the 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 their 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 Tips for Rehydrating Dried Flowers
- Use the rehydration method best suited to your blooms. Delicate flowers do better with misting vs. full 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 for seasons or even years. Simple rehydration techniques can 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!
How to revive dried flowers without a steamer:
If you dont have a steamer on hand, you can still use steam refresh dried blooms. Try boiling a pot of water until it releases steam. Next, carefully hold the stems above the pot for a few seconds. This will expose the flowers to the steam, which will hopefully fluff them right up. More Like This
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FAQ
Can dried flowers be rehydrated?
Generally, dried flowers do not need to be watered as they are already dry. However, if the petals become wilted or brittle over time from exposure to environmental elements, it is possible to rehydrate them using a light mist of water.
How to rehydrate wilted flowers?
Take your wilted flower and snip the stem at an angle about 1 inch from the already cut end of the flower. 2. Add three teaspoons of sugar to the lukewarm water in your vase, and place the wilted flower in and let it sit. The sugar will perk them right up!
Can you rehydrate dried flower bulbs?
If you find dried-out flower bulbs, you may be able to rehydrate them for replanting in the garden bed. When you find those bulbs, press the bulb gently between your fingers. If it is easily crushed and crumbles, it’s only good for the compost pile.
Should you rehydrate a dried-out plant?
The first rule when rehydrating a dried-out plant is to treat it like a rescue mission, says Bryan Clayton, garden expert at GreenPal. ‘This plant is going to need a gentle hand because, trust me, it can crumble if you’re too rough.
How do you rehydrate dried herbs?
For example, dried oregano and dried basil may be rehydrated in a pasta sauce over a long and slow cooking time. Rehydration is what allows these herbs to give their flavor to the dish. When rehydrating herbs in a recipe, you may need to add them at the start of the cooking time so that they have time to release their flavors fully.
When should you rehydrate herbs?
Rehydration is what allows these herbs to give their flavor to the dish. When rehydrating herbs in a recipe, you may need to add them at the start of the cooking time so that they have time to release their flavors fully. This is especially important for pungent herbs like oregano, thyme, and bay leaves.
How do you revive a dried-out plant?
Here, horticulturalists and garden experts have explained how you can revive a dried-out plant easily, without making the problem worse. The first rule when rehydrating a dried-out plant is to treat it like a rescue mission, says Bryan Clayton, garden expert at GreenPal.
How do you use dried herbs?
If you don’t have enough time, place the amount of dried herb that your recipe requires in a bowl and cover with warm water for about 10 minutes. Pour the water through a fine strainer and use the herb. Dried Herbs Vs.