How To Dry Hydrangeas

Hydrangeas are one of my favorite flowers and I am excited to show you how to dry hydrangeas to display in your fall decor.

Watch How To Dry Hydrangea Blooms Here

How Do I Dry Hydrangeas?

First of all, drying hydrangeas is one of my favorite things to do. I love the beauty of hydrangeas during the spring and summer season but did you know that you can dry hydrangeas and enjoy them all season? Let me show you step by step how I dry my hydrangeas.

When Is The Right Time To Cut Hydrangeas for Drying?

Knowing when to cut your hydrangeas for drying is what sets you up for success. It is best to allow your flowers to begin drying on the plant before cutting. Enjoy the blooms on your plants but when the flower starts to change color and feel a little dry then it’s time to cut your blooms. I have also cut the blooms before they start drying on the branch but are in full bloom. They always dry just fine but they take a little longer to dry. If you cut your blooms to soon they will wilt when you try to dry them. If this happens, just start over with new blooms.

How Do I Cut Hydrangeas For Drying?

The best time to cut your hydrangea blooms for drying is in the morning right after the moisture and dew have dried on your flowers. Make sure that you are using sharp garden pruners and always cut your stems at an angle.

I always trim the stems again at an angle once I get inside with them. It is also a good idea to have a vase or a bucket of water to place your cut stems into as you cut them. Leave 12-18 inches of stem and add your blooms to your vase of water.

Note: Drying hydrangeas brings out all of the imperfections of the flower. To avoid this, choose the best blooms for drying. However, there is beauty in the imperfections so I’m not too picky when it comes to this part but wanted to mention it and let you decide.

How Do I Arrange Hydrangeas For Drying?

It sounds crazy but the best way to dry hydrangeas is to add your newly cut stems to a vase of water. I bring my stems inside to the sink and strip off all of the leaves. Then I use my sharp pruners and cut the stems at an angle again.

Then I arrange the blooms in a vase with several inches of the stems submerged in the water. For best results, do not overcrowd the stems since they need room and good air circulation.

Where Do I Place My Hydrangeas To Dry?

After you have completed all of the steps for drying hydrangeas, you can place them in your home to enjoy their beauty as they dry. However, be sure to keep your flowers out of direct sunlight. Allow the water that is in the vase to evaporate and only add water if it has evaporated and the flowers are not yet dried. Now just sit back and wait for your blooms to dry since it takes about 2 weeks for your blooms to completely dry.

How Do I Display My Dried Hydrangeas?

I love to use dried hydrangeas everywhere in my fall decor. They are just so beautiful and can be displayed in baskets, vases, small white pitchers or larger pitchers or even tucked into an eucalyptus garland. I added the dried hydrangeas to a long, rustic box on my piano. They soften the edges of the box and add interest to the space.

I added some of my blue dried hydrangeas to a dough bowl as a filler and I love how they look on my bookcase.

I also arranged some dried hydrangeas in my thrifted vase and I displayed it on our mantle. You can read all about styling thrifted finds here and watch me arrange the dried hydrangeas here.

Where Can You Plant Hydrangeas?

Hydrangeas are one of my favorite flowers. They have an old fashioned beauty about them and they look attractive planted in flower beds or containers. Did you know that there are over 75 species of hydrangeas and they can be white, blue, red, pink, light purple or dark purple? I have hydrangeas planted in flower beds and I even popped 2 into containers here this summer to see if they would perform. There are not any blooms yet but I will update when they have matured. Most varieties of hydrangeas like morning sun and afternoon shade so keep that in mind when looking for a spot for your plant. Hydrangeas also love lots of water, especially when they are just starting to get established.

The previous owners planted a hydrangea right outside our kitchen window and I love to sit at the kitchen table and enjoy the beautiful, blue blooms.

How Do I Change The Color Of My Hydrangea?

Did you know that you can change the color of your hydrangeas? A hydrangeas flower color depends on the pH of the soil. If your soil’s pH is 5.5 or lower (alkaline) your hydrangeas will be blue. If your soil’s pH is 6.5 or higher (acidic) your plant will produce pink hydrangeas. You will have beautiful purple hydrangeas if your soil’s pH is between 5.5 and 6.5. However, white hydrangeas are not bothered by soil pH. Since they do not contain pigment for color, they will always be white.

This bring us to our question on how do I change the color of my hydrangeas? If you would like to lower your soil’s pH and produce blue hydrangeas you need to add garden sulfur or aluminum sulfate. Simply add garden lime if you would like pink hydrangeas. You can also use garden lime to age your terra cotta pots like I did here. Aged terra cotta pots look beautiful with a hydrangea planted in them.

Can I Change The Color Of My Hydrangeas With Coffee Grounds?

Yes! Coffee grounds add acidity to the soil which makes it easier for your plant to absorb the aluminum that naturally occurs in the soil. The result will be beautiful, blue hydrangeas. I have not changed the color of my hydrangeas because I love the blue so much. If you have had success changing the color of your hydrangeas, I would love to know.

Do You Plan To Dry Your Hydrangeas?

Once you start drying hydrangeas you will be hooked. It is the perfect way to enjoy your hydrangea blooms all year long. Hydrangeas have a beauty that can be enjoyed fresh or dried. Enjoy!

Your Friend,

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