Having sunflowers from the market, I’m going to share how to dry sunflower heads today. I enjoy adding natural pieces to our décor. Because the fall season is around the corner, I decided to dry sunflower heads for my fall décor.
If you enjoy adding nature to your home, you may enjoy this post. I also share using natural pieces in this post. These are especially perfect for the fall and holiday season as well as winter months.
Drying Sunflowers On The Stem – Cut the Stem 6″ Long
Step 1
Using good cutting shears, cut the stem of the sunflowers 6″ long to dry. Bundle the sunflowers in threes and tie with jute. It’s particularly important to not let the heads touch. Next, hang the sunflowers upside down in a dark dry space. I have done this in coat closets but for the most part, I dried flowers in our basement. Our basement is dark and dry, so it works well. To dry flowers, you can use an attic however, since attics tend to be hot check on them a bit sooner.
Drying sunflowers on the stem can take up to two weeks sometimes three.
Now, dried sunflowers petals can curl. I know because I used to dry whole sunflowers years ago.
However, I did learn a trick, once the flower heads are dried, spray them with hairspray. This keeps the petals nice and helps keep their color.
How To Dry The Sunflower Heads
After sunflowers begin to droop in a vase, I remove and cute the stem and leave 3″ remaining. Incidentally, how to dry sunflower heads, remove the petals from the head. For the most part, I do this because the dry flower heads have a sepia look.
After removing the petals from the flower heads, place them in a dark dry place for two weeks.
How To Dry The Sunflower Petals
Step 2
Besides, drying sunflower heads, try drying the petals themselves? This process is best when the petals still have their vibrant color. Carefully remove a petal at a time trying not to damage them.
Lay the petals between sheets of blotting paper while drying.
Next, place cardboard on top and add to a heavy book to keep them flat. Let the petals dry for several weeks.
How To Display Dry Sunflowers With A Stem Attached
Step 3
Dry sunflowers on the stem look especially pretty in baskets for fall.
Add these whole dry flowers to pitchers with other dried flowers from the garden such as roses and marigolds. Additionally, these dry flowers look pretty bundled with a satin ribbon laying on a hutch or buffet.
How about sunflowers coupled with dried lavender from the garden or found while shopping? Imagine the warmth of the color combination and the smell from the lavender.
Displaying Dried Sunflower Heads In The Home
Step 4
Displaying dried sunflower heads. Adding these to a bowl with gourds is pretty for fall. How about laying them on a platter and sprinkling small pinecones with dry flower heads from the garden?
Adding dry sunflowers is also pretty for a fall centerpiece. Adding dry flowers to a centerpiece filled with pumpkins, pincones and nuts is a great idea.
I have my sunflower heads displayed in our kitchen hutch. They are clustered on an antique Italian Florentine frame. The dry sunflower heads add a rustic fall look.
If you don’t want to dry your own sunflowers, purchase them from this company. Ordering items from them in the past, I have never been disappointed and items are packaged especially well.
I hope you enjoyed this post on how to dry sunflowers heads. Dried flowers are the epitome of fall. Do you dry flowers from your garden for fall displays?
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Drying Sunflower Heads
Equipment
- twine or jute, hairspray
Notes
- sunflowers from any food store
- jute or twine any craft store
- dark dry room, basement, closet or attic
- hairspray
- remove the petals
- clip the stem to 3″
- Remove all the leaves
- Cut stems 6 inches
- Tie three stems at a time with jute or twine
- DON’T let the sunflower heads touch
- Hang in a dark dry place, basement, or closet
This is great information Cindy on how to dry sunflowers. I had heard that using hairspray when drying almost any flowers will keep the color and keep them open and pretty while they dry out. Yours turned out so great. Have a great week. xoxo Kris
I have never done this. They sure look great in all the photos you shared today. Happy Fall to you and your family Cindy!
Thanks so much my friend
Very cool!! I actually have a few sunflowers in my garden. Late bloomer…I might try this out!! Thanks!!
Do it! So easy
Get drying girlfriend
I had no idea, you could dry sunflowers out like this Cindy, that is so cool! I love the different ways you can display them too. They’re perfect for this time of year and make the transition into the Fall season such a pretty one. Hugs, CoCo
Thank you so much sweet CoCo
This is amazing! I love this so much! Now I want to grow them, so I can do this!
Buy them at the food store. They’re inexpensive. That’s what I did
I can’t grow them because our new yard is smaller
Perfect idea for fall ! I also like your bin of corn. Thanks for sharing your drying method.
Thank you so much!
I’m regretting throwing a vase of Sunflowers into my compost pile rather than drying them like you did. You will enjoy using these for decorating for years to come.
I’m going to dry more next fall. I have an idea
Who knew you could dry sunflowers? Now I know! Beautiful!
Thanks Amy. I’m going to do more next year!
Thank you for this tutorial. I am excited to share it with my daughter that grew a HUGE sunflower this year.
Oh that will be fun!
Such a neat idea. Thank you for the tutorial!
What a great idea. I didn’t realize you could dry them and they look so good in displays. Thank you for sharing.
I love them. I’m going to dry more for next fall.
Love it thanks for sharing with us – I’ll be featuring you this week when the new To Grandma’s house we go party starts!
Thanks so much!
Thanks so much for featuring my sunflowers
I’m thinking I will pick some up at Trader Joe’s on my next trip and dry them. I love the look.
I hope you do!