Tips On How To Preserve Flowers

Flowers capture fleeting beauty, marking celebrations, emotions, and milestones in our lives. Whether it’s a bouquet gifted on a special occasion, flowers from your garden, or a sentimental bloom you can’t part with, preserving flowers offers a meaningful way to hold onto their charm for much longer. With the growing popularity of dried flowers, florists on the Sunshine Coast are helping more people turn fresh blooms into lasting keepsakes or décor elements.

From traditional air drying to modern resin casting, here are practical tips on preserving flowers. Many of these can be enhanced with the guidance of your local florist.

1. Air Dry for Timeless Charm

Air drying is one of the most accessible and effective methods for preserving flowers. It works best with sturdy flowers and foliage that naturally hold their shape.

• Choose flowers like lavender, roses, or baby’s breath.
• Remove excess foliage and tie stems in small bunches.
• Hang upside down in a dry, dark space with good airflow.
• Allow two to three weeks for drying.
• Once dried, display in a vase or decorative bundle.

Florists often use this method to prepare ready-to-go dried flower arrangements that require no maintenance and last for months.

2. Press for Artistic Keepsakes

Pressed flowers are perfect for framing, cards, bookmarks, or decorative stationery. A florist can help select blooms that flatten well and maintain their colour when dried.

• Use blooms with flatter shapes, such as pansies, cosmos, or daisies.
• Place them between absorbent paper and press with a heavy book.
• Let dry undisturbed for two to four weeks.
• Once pressed, seal with clear adhesive or frame them for display.



Pressed flowers offer a creative way to preserve personal memories in artistic form.

3. Use Silica Gel for Colour & Shape Retention

Silica gel is one of the most effective tools for preserving flowers with intricate petal structures or bold, full shapes. It draws moisture from the blooms without flattening or distorting them, making it ideal for maintaining the natural 3D appearance and vibrant colours of flowers like peonies, roses, and dahlias.

• Cover blooms with silica gel crystals in an airtight container.
• Leave for five to ten days, depending on moisture content.
• Remove flowers gently and clean off the remaining gel.
• Spray with floral fixative to retain shape and colour.

Florists often use this technique to preserve flowers for wedding bouquets or commemorative arrangements, where maintaining the original bloom shape is important.

4. Create Hanging Displays

Hanging displays offer a dramatic and eye-catching way to showcase preserved flowers, a stunning alternative to traditional bouquets or vase arrangements. Florists often design these suspended installations to bring height, movement, and natural texture into a space. They’re especially popular in open-plan interiors, boutique retail spaces, or events looking for a soft, botanical feature.

• Select a mix of dried flowers, seed pods, and grasses.
• Arrange in a circular or cascading shape.
• Secure with floral wire or rope for hanging.
• Ideal for kitchens, events, or retail spaces.



Hanging arrangements act as functional décor and often become long-lasting focal points.

5. Frame or Mount Dried Flowers for Keepsakes

Some flowers carry deep emotional value—be it a wedding bouquet, a farewell arrangement, or blooms gifted during a memorable moment. Florists truly shine when preserving flowers in a way that’s both meaningful and visually appealing. Framing or mounting dried or pressed flowers can create elegant, lasting keepsakes commemorating life’s most cherished experiences.

• Mount in a shadow box or frame with labels or messages.
• Create small keepsake wreaths or bell jars.
• Personalise with names, dates, or event details.



Preserved this way, flowers remain protected and become lasting reminders of special moments.

6. Embed in Resin for Modern Style

Preserving flowers in resin offers a sleek, modern way to turn natural beauty into practical or decorative items. This method involves encasing dried blooms in crystal-clear resin, protecting them from environmental damage while showcasing their form and colour in a unique, long-lasting format.

• Use completely dried flowers to prevent clouding or mould.
• Set into resin moulds to make coasters, pendants, or paperweights.
• Sand and polish for a clean finish.



Some florists collaborate with resin artists to offer these items as part of their dried flower services.

Once preserved, flowers become more than just memories—they’re a lasting interior design element. Dried floral arrangements offer your space natural texture, colour, and personality without the upkeep that fresh flowers demand. Whether you’re styling a minimalist lounge or a cosy reading nook, florists can craft arrangements that suit your décor preferences and elevate the aesthetic of any room.

• Choose neutral or soft-toned flowers for minimalist décor.
• Add bold colours for contrast in eclectic spaces.
• Style in ceramic vases, timber frames, or wall hangings.
• Use as table centrepieces or shelf features.



Florists can ensure the arrangement’s scale, shape, and floral selection suit your home’s lighting, palette and proportions. With guidance, preserved flowers can transform your living space into a more personal and inviting environment.

While dried and preserved flowers are far more durable than fresh blooms, they’re not entirely maintenance-free. With a little care, your preserved arrangements can remain beautiful and structurally sound for months—or even years. Florists often provide tailored advice based on the preservation method used, helping you keep your display looking its best.

• Keep away from direct sunlight to prevent fading.
• Avoid humid or damp environments.
• Dust lightly with a cool hairdryer or soft brush.
• Do not spray with water or place in moist areas.



Your florist will often provide care instructions specific to the preservation method used.

At Suncoast Flowers, we know how special certain flowers can be. Our dried flower arrangements are thoughtfully created to help you enjoy your favourite blooms long after their fresh stage has passed. Whether you’re looking to frame pressed petals, create a bespoke arrangement, or transform a bouquet into lasting décor, our florists are here to guide you.

Get in touch for advice on preserving your most meaningful flowers. Let us help you keep their beauty blooming for years to come.

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