How to Dry Hydrangeas Blooms
If you’ve been enjoying your hydrangeas all summer, now is the perfect time to get even more beauty out of them by drying the blooms. Drying hydrangeas is a simple and satisfying way to keep those colors and textures around long after the season ends. With just a few tools and some good timing, you can create dried arrangements that last well into fall and beyond.
Knowing When to Cut HYDRANGEAS FOR DRYING
The best time to cut hydrangeas for drying is in late summer or early fall, when the blooms have started to feel papery to the touch. Gently rub a bloom between your fingertips. If you notice a paper-like texture and little red spots on the petals, that is your sign that the flower is ready. Cutting them too early can result in wilted or droopy flowers, so patience really does pay off.
What You’ll Need
Gather a few simple tools before you get started:
Clean water
TIP: Fill your bucket halfway with water and add a capful of bleach. This helps reduce bacteria during the drying process and keeps your blooms looking their best.
Watch my video about drying hydrangeas here!
How to Cut and Prepare the Stems
Start by cutting the stem about five to six nodes down, and make your cut just above a node. Remove all of the leaves from the stem. Then take your vegetable peeler and gently scrape one side of the stem, then the other. This helps the flower take in water in the early stages of drying.
Next, grab your clippers and make a clean, angled cut at the bottom of the stem. I recommend a 45-degree angle for best results. This allows the stem to take up more water and dry evenly.
The Water Drying Method
Place the prepared stems in your bucket of water and bleach. This is where it might surprise you…I like to dry hydrangeas in water, and I do not replace the water throughout the drying process. Just leave them alone and let nature do its thing. Over the course of a couple of weeks, the blooms will slowly dry while maintaining their shape and color.
This method works beautifully, and the results are stunning. The flowers will dry in place, retaining much of their original color and a lovely texture that works perfectly in fall arrangements, wreaths, or on their own in a vase.
Common Questions About Drying Hydrangeas
What is the best way to dry hydrangea flowers?
The best method is drying them in water. Once the blooms feel papery, cut them properly, strip the leaves, scrape the stems, and place them in a water and bleach solution. Do not replace the water. Let them dry naturally, and you will be amazed at how well they preserve.
When can I cut hydrangea flowers for drying?
Wait until late summer or early fall when the flowers feel dry and papery and start to show a few red spots. This means the blooms are mature enough to dry without shriveling.
Will vinegar turn hydrangeas blue?
Not directly. Vinegar can lower soil pH, which may influence the color of hydrangeas. Blue blooms require acidic soil with a pH below 6. Vinegar is acidic, so it might help slightly, but using a soil acidifier or aluminum sulfate is a more reliable way to encourage blue flowers. Always test your soil before adjusting its pH.
Should I spray dried hydrangeas with hairspray?
You can, but it is not required if you use the water drying method. If you want to prevent petals from falling or add a little extra hold for arrangements, a light mist of unscented hairspray can help. Just be gentle and don’t overdo it.
Enjoy the Beauty Year-Round
Drying hydrangeas is one of my favorite ways to keep a little piece of summer around as the seasons change. With a bit of care and this easy method, you can enjoy those blooms long after the garden has gone to sleep. So the next time your hydrangeas feel like paper, don’t toss them…dry them.
I always love to bring the garden indoors, and this is one of my absolute favorite ways to do that! Let’s answer some of your most-asked questions:
🌿 What is the best way to dry hydrangea flowers?
The best way, hands down, is to dry your hydrangeas in water. I know that might sound backwards, but trust me, it works like a charm. Once the blooms feel papery and you start to see those red spots, that’s your cue. Cut them back about five or six nodes down, strip the leaves, and give the stem a good scrape with a veggie peeler on both sides. Then give the bottom a fresh 45-degree cut and pop them in a bucket filled halfway with water and a splash of bleach (just a capful, y’all! That’s enough!). Don’t change the water, just let them sit. They'll dry beautifully over time.
🌿 When can I cut hydrangea flowers for drying?
Wait until late summer or early fall, once the blooms feel like paper and have started to change color slightly or show little red freckles. That’s your sign they’ve matured enough and are ready for drying. Cutting them too soon can lead to wilted, shriveled petals. Let them age gracefully on the bush first!
🌿 Will vinegar turn hydrangeas blue?
Not exactly, y’all. Vinegar can change the soil pH, and that’s what affects the bloom color. Hydrangeas turn blue in acidic soil (pH below 6), and vinegar is acidic, so yes, adding it to your soil may help, but it’s not a quick fix. For a more reliable method, use soil acidifiers or aluminum sulfate if you’re looking to turn those blooms blue. But always test your soil first!
🌿 Should I spray dried hydrangeas with hairspray?
You can, but it’s not necessary, especially if you dry them in water like I do. If your dried blooms are going to be in a high-traffic area, or you want to give them a little extra hold for arrangements or wreaths, a light mist of hairspray can help keep petals from dropping. Just don’t go overboard, and make sure it’s a gentle, unscented one.
Want to learn more about hydrangeas? Download my free guide here!
Want more hydrangea tips?
If you loved this post, be sure to download my free Ultimate Hydrangea Guide for more tips on how to care for hydrangeas!
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