To dry whole roses, cut them just before the blooms are fully open, tie the stems in small bunches and hang them upside down in a dark, dry, well-ventilated place, or bury the blooms in silica gel in an airtight container. Extension services give very different times: air drying takes anywhere from two or three weeks to several months, while silica gel takes from a few days to about three weeks. Air-dried roses shrink, and pink ones fade. This guide compares the methods with the times each university gives. For loose petals for tea or potpourri, see how to dry rose petals.
No extension page we read gives a rose-specific hanging time, only general ranges, and the silica gel times below span more than a week. Treat every time as a starting point and check by touch.
When to Cut
- Pick flowers just before they reach peak maturity, free of moisture (University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension). Illinois Extension and Purdue Extension say flowers to be air dried continue to open as they dry, so they should not be fully open when picked.
- University of Kentucky says it is best to dry rosebuds rather than open blooms, and to use only buds and half-open flowers in a desiccant.
- Choose blooms free of injury or bruises, because damage becomes more obvious after drying (UNL), and cut after the dew has dried (Delaware State University).
Method 1: Hang Upside Down
Tie a few stems together and hang them in a warm or cool, dark, dry, well-ventilated place such as a closet or attic. Missouri Botanical Garden lists roses among flowers that are good choices for air drying, and Illinois Extension suggests a rubber band or twist tie instead of string because the bunches shrink as they dry. The darkness helps preserve color, according to Clemson Cooperative Extension.
| Source | Air-drying time given |
|---|---|
| UNL Extension | 3 to 5 weeks |
| Purdue Extension | about 3 weeks |
| Illinois Extension | 2 to 3 weeks |
| Iowa State Extension | 2 or 3 weeks |
| University of Florida IFAS | 1 to 3 weeks (flowers generally) |
| Delaware State University | may take 2 months or more |
Drying is complete when stems are stiff to the touch and snap easily (Delaware State), and flowers are crisp and dry but not brittle (UNL). Clemson notes that roses and peonies shrink somewhat when air dried and that pink flowers fade, while blue and yellow flowers keep their color better.
Method 2: Silica Gel (Keeps Shape and Color Better)
Clemson says silica gel is appropriate for quick-drying flowers and for flowers with closely packed petals such as roses. University of Missouri Extension calls it the most satisfactory desiccant for drying flowers at home.
- Cut most of the stem, leaving about an inch (UNL).
- Put about two inches of silica gel in a shallow container with a tight-fitting lid, and set the flower face up (UNL and Kentucky) in the gel.
- Pour more gel around and between the petals until the bloom is covered, then seal the container. Iowa State says silica gel flowers must be in an airtight container.
- Wait, then check. Times differ by source (below).
| Source | Silica gel time |
|---|---|
| University of Missouri Extension | about 2-3 days for a rose (table) |
| UC Agriculture and Natural Resources | seal 3 to 5 days |
| Iowa State Extension | 3 to 8 days |
| Clemson Extension | about a week |
| University of Kentucky | rose, face up, 2 weeks |
| UNL Extension | 1 to 3 weeks for flowers generally |
Silica gel can be recharged in an oven, but sources differ on the temperature (UNL says 225°F for several hours, Clemson says 300°F), so follow the instructions printed on your product.
Other Options
Roses can also be dried in the microwave with silica gel (see drying flowers in the microwave) or pressed if you want them flat (how to press flowers). We found no extension guidance for drying whole roses in a dehydrator; our dehydrator flower guide covers petals and thin blooms.
Storing and Displaying Dried Roses
- Dried plant material reabsorbs moisture from the air, so keep it away from humid rooms (University of Kentucky).
- Dried flowers fade quickly in a bright or sunny room (Purdue and Kentucky).
- University of Kentucky says ordinary hairspray, aerosol lacquer or sprays sold as dried floral preservatives can seal flowers; Purdue says white or clear glue at the base of petals can help prevent shattering.
- University of Florida IFAS notes that dried plant materials are highly flammable and says not to put them in a warm oven or in front of electric heaters to speed drying.
Quick Answers
How long does it take to dry roses?
From two or three weeks hanging (Illinois, Iowa State) to several months (Delaware State), or a few days to a few weeks in silica gel, depending on the source.
Do dried roses keep their color?
Air-dried roses shrink and pink ones fade, per Clemson Extension. Silica gel keeps more color.
What is the best way to dry a whole rose?
Silica gel, according to Kentucky and Missouri Extension, because it keeps the shape better. Hanging is simpler and needs no supplies.
Can I dry roses in a dehydrator?
We found no extension source recommending it, so we do not give a setting.
Are dried roses safe to eat?
Only if the roses were never sprayed. See how to dry rose petals.
Sources
- University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Guide to drying flowers
- Clemson Cooperative Extension: Drying flowers
- University of Kentucky: Drying flowers and other plant materials (HO-70)
- University of Missouri Extension: Preserving flowers
- Missouri Botanical Garden: How do I dry flowers for winter enjoyment?
- Purdue Extension: Drying flowers (HO-102)
- Illinois Extension: Make flowers and memories last forever by drying
- Iowa State Extension: Drying flowers (1998)
- Iowa State Horticulture and Home Pest News: Preserving fresh flowers (1996)
- Delaware State University Extension: Drying flowers and other plant materials
- University of Florida IFAS: Preserving plant materials (EP004)
- UC Agriculture and Natural Resources: Garden notes, preserving flowers
