How to dry hydrangeas – our easy guide to preserving flowers at home
Learn how to dry hydrangeas and create beautiful, long-lasting arrangements and bouquets for your home


The great news is learning how to dry hydrangeas shouldn't take you long. Preserving these large, blousy blooms doesn't require much effort; do it right and you'll be left with wonderfully vintage-looking dried flowers to enjoy for years to come.
There are a few different ways to dry hydrangeas, and you can utilize the beautifully muted blooms in a variety of display ideas, from hydrangea wreaths and pom-poms to upside-down hanging bouquets. They're a stunning floral addition for weddings and table centerpieces, and can add a lovely fall feel to your outdoor décor too.
Plus, if you've already spent the time learning how to grow hydrangeas, it's worth getting the most enjoyment you can from these beautiful blooms.
Learn how to dry hydrangeas in water
If you already know when to plant hydrangeas, chances are you've watched them grow in your garden and observed longingly as the brightly petalled flowers fade away, wishing you could preserve them somehow.
The good news is that although the color of hydrangeas changes to a more muted shade once dried, you'll still have a beautifully full flower blossom that remains.
The most popular method of drying hydrangeas is with water – although that might sound a little counterintuitive. Jo Lambell, founder of Beards and Daisies, explains the process:
- Whether you grow hydrangeas in pots or in the ground, cut your hydrangeas at an angle so there's at least 12in (30cm) or so of the stem.
- Remove the leaves from the stems and place them in a vase of water, covering about half of the stems. Though it may seem counterproductive, using water actually helps to slow down the drying process, otherwise the flowers can turn brown.
- Keep your vase somewhere cool, and out of direct sunlight as this will damage the petals.
- As the water evaporates, the flowers will begin to dry out. By the time all the water has disappeared (usually in a week or two), your hydrangeas will be perfectly dried and ready to use for whatever purpose you'd like.
How to air dry hydrangeas
If you don't fancy the water drying method detailed above, it's certainly possible to learn how to dry flowers like hydrangeas using just the air – but these can become a little more brittle than their water-dried counterparts.
For this method, hang each individual stem upside down and secure to a line with a clothes peg or some twine. Choose a spot that's cool and doesn't receive direct sunlight, then wait a few weeks.
Bear in mind that it's not necessary to hang them upside down though – only if you think the stems are thin enough that they might break under the weight of the flower bloom during the drying process.
A top tip to test their readiness is to try snapping the dried stem. If it's easy to snap then your hydrangeas are fully dried out.

Jo Lambell is the founder of online plant retailer Beards and Daisies. She is fanatical about plants, and brings together a carefully curated selection of indoor houseplants, featuring some lesser spotted varieties that you might not find in your local garden center.
When to pick hydrangeas for drying
If you're planning to dry your favorite hydrangea varieties, it's best to leave the blooms on the plant until they've gone slightly past their prime. That way, their natural tendency to start drying at the end of the season works in your favor. Late summer is usually your best bet.
There's a sweet spot, though. Picking them too early will result in their leaves shrivelling up, while leaving them too late will cause the blooms to turn brown, which won't look particularly nice when dried.
Check in on your flowers about six weeks after they've opened. Jo Lambell tells us, 'You'll want to cut your stems when your hydrangea is just past its peak – wait until it has fully bloomed and you can see some of the petals becoming thinner and more papery. This is your time!'
FAQs
How long will dried hydrangeas last?
If you've learned how to dry hydrangeas properly, they will remain in good condition for up to two years. Try to keep them out of direct sunlight to prolong their lifespan.
You can use your dried hydrangeas to decorate your home by putting them in vases, incorporating them into wreaths, or simply hanging them up high in a corner of the room.
How can I stop my dried hydrangeas dropping petals?
There's a simple trick to keep dried hydrangeas from falling apart – and that's using hairspray. Once they've dried out sufficiently, tie the stems together in a loose bouquet then lay them flat on a dry surface. Using an aerosol, give the flowers a quick spray: this will help to stop the petals from crumbling if accidentally touched.
There's nothing better than prolonging the enjoyment of your garden-grown hydrangea blooms by drying them, and now is an ideal time to start picking them. Make sure you protect your plants as the weather gets colder by winterizing hydrangea, so you can enjoy their abundant flowers the following year. Plus, if you like the idea of drying flowers, you might like to know how to dry strawflowers or what the best plants for seedheads are to grow in your yard.
Sign up to the Homes & Gardens newsletter
Design expertise in your inbox – from inspiring decorating ideas and beautiful celebrity homes to practical gardening advice and shopping round-ups.

Freelance writer and author Flora Baker is a keen amateur gardener and houseplant enthusiast. Her small garden in South London is a constant work in progress as she gets to grips with snail prevention, DIY trellises and what to plant in shady spots overrun with ivy.
-
I just discovered a quick, low-cost hack to get leafy herbs to last longer – all you need are 2 kitchen ingredients
Coffee grounds and tea bags can support vegetative growth and bring larger herb harvests
-
A trained chef's honest review of Stanley Tucci x GreenPan's cookware range
Obsessed with Stanley Tucci’s cooking show? Me too, so I tested his new cookware collaboration with GreenPan to see if it matched up to his style and skill in the kitchen
-
How to grow pineapple guava – for evergreen foliage, vibrant flowers, and tasty fruit
Plant professionals share their growing tips for these South American shrubs and trees
-
'A flower grown from seed is the perfect metaphor for our individual creativity' – why 2025 floral trends are about stepping back and letting nature ground us
Discover how to keep your floral designs fresh and current with the latest trend advice
-
How to grow muscari – professional tips for cultivating these these low-maintenance bulbs, for effortless carpets of indigo flowers in springtime
Vibrant muscari is so easy to grow you can virtually ignore it
-
5 lucky plants for good fortune – plant experts share their meaning and how to grow them in your own backyard
These plants are symbolic of wisdom, wealth, positivity, and more
-
What is your birth month flower? Discover why these blooms are meaningful – plus tips from gardening experts on how to grow them in your yard
Growing your own birth month flower is a beautiful way to add a personal touch to your garden
-
7 flowers to sow in January – plant seeds indoors this month for enchanting summer blooms
Yes, you can sow summer flowers this month indoors if you give them the heat and light they need
-
How to grow coneflower – expert advice on planting and caring for these exquisite perennials
You won't believe how easy it is to grow echinacea and fill the garden with spectacular daisy-like blooms
-
How to overwinter azaleas – and safeguard your plants until spring with this expert advice
Prepare now for spectacular results next season from these floriferous shrubs