How to Dry Rose Petals & The Best Ways to Use Them

Roses are so beautiful that you just want to keep them forever. Luckily, it’s easy to preserve their beauty by drying their petals. In this article, we’ll teach you all the best methods to dry rose petals, different ways to use dried rose petals, and how to select and prepare the best roses for drying. Plus, we’ll answer other common questions about the rose drying process.

Best Ways to Dry Rose Petals

Air dry rose petals on a flat surface over the course of several days.
Microwave rose petals for 30-40 seconds for a quick method.
Press the petals in a heavy book to dry and flatten them.

Section 1 of 5:

How to Dry Rose Petals

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1
Air dry rose petals for an effective, natural method. Remove any debris from your rose petals and place them on a flat surface, like a baking sheet or mesh screen, in a single layer. Leave a small gap between each petal so they dry evenly and place them in a dry, well-ventilated area away from direct sunlight. Allow the petals to dry over several days, turning them daily so they dry on both sides. When they feel crisp, they’re ready to use or store.^{[1]
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- An old window screen or a flat metal strainer from your kitchen will work well for drying. Floral designer and plant specialist Rachel Cho recommends that you “spread [the petals] out on top of paper towels or sand on a tray or large dish.”
- Placing petals directly in the sun will cause them to fade, and storing them in a moist area could cause them to rot.
- If the petals overlap while they are drying, they will stick together and you will have to break them apart later.
- Only remove the petals after they have become crispy, almost like the texture of cornflakes. If they aren’t fully dry when you store them, they'll begin to get moldy.
- To air dry roses with the stems attached, tie the stems together with twine, then hang them upside down in a dry, well-ventilated area away from direct sunlight for 2-3 weeks. Untie them when they’re completely dry to the touch.
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Dry the petals in a microwave for a quick option. Select a microwave-safe plate and cover it with paper towels. Place a layer of evenly-spaced rose petals on top, then cover with another layer of paper towels. Alternatively, use silica gel in place of the paper towels.^{[2]
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Go to source} Add another plate on top to cover everything and microwave for 30-40 seconds. Check if the petals are dry, and repeat the process as necessary until they are.
- Microwave ovens tend to vary, so you may have to experiment to find the correct length of time for drying the rose petals.
- To make the petals crispier after you’ve microwaved them, spread them onto paper towels and let them air-dry for a day or two. Choose a drying location away from breezes, moisture, light and dust.
- When microwaving whole roses rather than individual petals, it’s best to place them in a bowl of desiccant like silica gel or cat litter. This will help prevent them from withering.
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3
Dry your petals in the oven if you have a lot of them. Like the microwave, drying your rose petals in the oven is another quick option, and the additional space allows you to dry more petals at once. Spread the petals in an even layer across a baking sheet. Preheat the oven to 180° F (82° C) and bake the roses for 10-30 minutes. Check on them every 10 minutes and rotate them if they need more time. Remove them when they look and feel crisp.^{[3]
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- Some ovens’ temperatures are more reliable than others, so monitor your rose petals regularly to make sure they don’t overheat.
- Use multiple baking sheets if you have a lot of rose petals.
4
Dehydrate the roses in a dehydrator. Spread the petals evenly across the dehydrator rack with a bit of space between each one. Set the dehydrator to the lowest possible setting and keep an eye on the petals as they dry, checking them regularly. Depending on your dehydrator, the process could take anywhere from a few hours to a whole day.^{[4]
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- When the petals are done, they should have a texture similar to corn flakes or very thin potato chips.
- Be sure to use the lowest setting and check the petals regularly to make sure they don’t burn.
- Another option is to use an air fryer if it has a dehydration setting. Simply turn the dehydration setting on and let your petals dry for 10-15 minutes, checking them every few minutes.
5
Press your petals in a book if you have time to spare. If you’re not in a hurry, pressing your roses is a simple, low-effort drying method. Find a large, heavy book and line your petals across its pages in a single layer without overlapping. Slowly and carefully close the book so the petals don’t move, and place a few other books on top of it to apply pressure. Leave the petals to dry for 1-3 weeks. Remove them when they’re fully dried and pressed.^{[5]
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- If you’re worried about ruining the pages of your book, place the petals between two sheets of absorbent paper or tissue. Books with coarse paper tend to work better than those with glossy, as the coarse material is more absorbent.
- Bookmark the page where you’re drying the petals so you can find them easily.
6
Use silica gel to soak up moisture. Silica gel is a desiccant, which means it absorbs moisture from the air—and in this case, rose petals. Place a layer of silica gel crystals in the bottom of an airtight container. Lay the roses in a single layer on top, then cover them completely with more silica gel. Seal the container and let the roses dry for 2-3 days or until they’re completely dry.^{[6]
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- Rice and borax can also be used as desiccants. Use them the same way you would the silica gel.

Section 2 of 5:

How to Use Dried Rose Petals

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Gather your rose petals and other dried materials (like other dried flowers, orange peels, pine cones, etc.) and add them to an airtight container to make your own potpourri. Add a few drops of essential oil to add scent and moisture back to the mixture, seal the container, and let it absorb the oil for 6 weeks. Then, open it up and enjoy the aroma.^{[7]
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Rose water can be used in several ways, though it’s often used in skincare routines and as a linen spray to freshen a room. Combine 1/3 cup (5 g) of dried rose petals with 2/3 cup (157 ml) of distilled water and 1/3 cup (79 ml) of witch hazel. Let it infuse for 2 weeks, then strain out the petals. Add the water to a spray bottle to use as a linen or facial spray.^{[8]
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Rose petals are completely edible (as long as they weren’t treated with pesticides) so they’re a great way to make your food and drinks more visually appealing. Try adding rose petals to herbal tea, making jam, or using them to decorate a cake. Dried rose petals don’t have much flavor, so the possibilities are endless.^{[9]
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Dried roses smell wonderful, especially when they’re freshly made, so they’re a great ingredient to add to body care products like soaps, lotions, and perfumes. Use these products for yourself or give them as gifts.^{[10]
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If you’re planning a romantic evening for your partner, dried rose petals can help set the scene. Sprinkle them around your bedroom with some candles, create a trail leading to a special surprise, or add them to a relaxing bubble bath. Your partner will probably admire the decor and it won’t take much effort at all!
Add some rose petals to resin molds to easily craft fun jewelry or paperweights, or blend the dried petals and roll them into beads to make unique necklaces.^{[11]
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Section 3 of 5:

How to Select & Prepare Roses for Drying

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Pick your roses in the morning after the dew dries. The time of day you pick your roses can actually affect how well they dry. For the best results, pick your roses after the morning dew has dried but before the midday sun has reached its strongest rays.^{[12]
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Go to source} Rose petals with any sort of moisture on them could potentially turn brown when dried because they will begin to rot. The hours before the midday sun are when most roses produce their strongest fragrance.
- Store-bought roses can also work if you can’t pick any yourself.
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Choose fresh roses in full bloom. While you can harvest roses any time during the growing season, they’ll look and smell their best when they’re at their peak. Look for roses with the biggest and brightest blooms, and avoid flowers that appear wilted, damaged, or diseased in any way. Flowers that already have browning petals will become fully brown when they dry.^{[13]
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- Any type of rose will work, though hybrid tea roses, floribunda roses, and grandiflora roses are great options for drying.
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Remove the petals, stem, thorns, and leaves. Use a pair of scissors to remove the stem, thorns, and leaves by cutting around the base of the petals. If you’re only drying the petals, pluck them individually by gently pulling each one from the rose head’s base. Discard any petals that appear brown or damaged. If you want to dry the entire rose head, just remove the stem.^{[14]
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- If you want to dry the whole rose, clip off the thorns and leave the stem intact.
- The methods used for drying rose petals can also be used for drying rose heads or roses with stems. The only difference is the air drying method—hang the roses upside down with a piece of string or twine rather than drying them on a rack.
- It’s also possible to dry the rose with the stem intact, then remove the petals later.

Section 4 of 5:

Dried Rose Petal Storage & Shelf Life

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Coffee cans, tins, and glass jars with lids all work well. When stored properly, dried roses can last for several months to a few years. Make sure the containers are sealed tightly to prevent insects from getting in and eating the petals. Store the container away from direct sunlight so the petals don’t fade, and keep it in a dry area to avoid moisture, which can damage the petals.^{[15]
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Spray them with hairspray to extend their shelf life. Dried rose petals can last up to a few years if they’re dried and stored properly, but hairspray can sometimes help them last longer than they would naturally. When you finish drying the petals, spray them with an even coating of hairspray on both sides. Proceed to touch them up about once a week, especially if they start to brown or wilt.^{[16]
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- If you dried whole roses, add two more coats the first time you spray them to make sure they’re fully saturated.
- If your roses start to fade, lightly apply a tinted aerosol or dye to help bring back a natural-looking color.^{[17]
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Section 5 of 5:

Drying Rose Petals FAQs

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Any of the above methods will dry rose petals well, but one of the best methods is to air dry them. While this takes longer than microwaving, for example, it ensures each petal will dry properly without risk of burning.^{[18]
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Fresh rose petals tend to change color when exposed to light, so dry your petals in a dark room to preserve their color. Once they’re dry, they may fade or change color slightly over time, but the change isn’t usually drastic.^{[19]
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Mold is attracted to moisture, so if the roses are properly dried, they shouldn’t grow mold. Make sure they’re entirely dry and crisp before you stop drying them, then store them in a dry location.^{[20]
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Bugs crawl around in my roses. Your methods do not include cleaning with water (for obvious reasons). How would you suggest that I deal with the bugs?

Community Answer

You can use a couple of drops of dish soap in a spray bottle with water. It is a safe and effective way to get rid of bugs.

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I want to preserve the whole rose head. How can I do that?

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Preserving whole roses is popular, and a pretty simple process: In a dark, cool and dry place, such as an airing cupboard, secure the rose(s) to something upside down with an elastic band (such as a pipe, if using the airing cupboard). Let the rose(s) remain in that place for 2-3 weeks. Carefully remove the roses and place them in a vase for decoration, or whatever you want you do with them.

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How do I preserve the rose smell when they are dried?

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Drying the petals in a book or air drying them preserves the scent better. Using a microwave to dry rose petals doesn't preserve the scent very well.

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Your first batch may not be perfect, and that's okay! Try again and remember that with practice it gets easier.

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Remember to routinely check the dried rose petals in storage containers for insects. If you find an infestation, throw out the petals and thoroughly wash the container before you use it again.

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Most flowers tend to darken with drying. Keep this in mind if the dried flowers will be used in decorations with a specific color scheme.

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Warnings

If you plan to consume the rose petals in any way, make sure they were not treated with pesticides. Avoid using flowers from florists even if they claim the roses are pesticide-free.

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