I’ve been seeing some beautiful dried fall florals on Instagram and Pinterest this year and I’ve always been curious as to how to do them myself. I figured they would be too much work or would be too complicated, but in all honesty, it is super easy to do. I actually can’t believe I didn’t do it sooner! If you’re like me and you want to know how to dry out hydrangea stems, then keep on reading for this super simple and easy fall DIY project.
When to Pick Hydrangea Stems
The time of the year is actually the most important factor when picking hydrangeas. You don’t want to pick them too early or too soon so timing is everything.
It’s also important to consider what type of hydrangeas you have as well. I have the limelight variety and after some research, I determined it was best to pick them around the very end of August.
Typically, the beginning of fall or very late summer seems to be the best time. But do your research first because depending on what type of hydrangea bush you have, it could be a different time.
Cutting the Hydrangea Stems
After I determined the right time of the year to cut them, I simply used some sharp shears and cut them at an angle. I then stripped them of all their leaves as well.
I tried to go around our bush and just choose a few here and there. Our hydrangea plant is still pretty young. My husband planted it early this summer so it isn’t very big, as you can see from the blooms.
I am hoping that in the years to come, it will grow even bigger and fuller! This was basically treated as a little experiment to see what would work and what wouldn’t for future reference.
I am sure drying out bigger hydrangea blooms will look even better once they have grown even more.
Drying the Hydrangea Stems
Like I stated above, I treated this as an experiment because I wasn’t exactly sure what would be best for my hydrangeas. I read that you could dry them out in water and also without water so I wasn’t 100% sure what I should do.
So I thought why not do them both and see which one turns out better! I will say I enjoyed having freshly cut hydrangea stems in the water because I was able to enjoy them longer.
I simply put a small amount of water down in a vase and stuck the stems in there. Then, I then slowly let the water evaporate, which I think took about a total of one week.
After that, they were completely dried and ready to go. For the other set, I just placed freshly cut hydrangeas in a vase with no water and let them dry out naturally.
This process was quicker and only took a few days.
Which Drying Out Method Is Better?
I will say that both these methods worked and each batch of hydrangea stems turned out beautifully. My personal preference though is to dry them out with absolutely no water.
Like I stated above, it’s not only quicker, but I think they may have turned out a little better too. The ones I let dry out in water seemed a tad bit more crinkly and weathered.
But in all honesty, I think it’s totally up to you and what you want to do. There are pros and cons to both ways and each way ended up with a pretty great result.
I think it is fun to experiment with things like this and that way you know from firsthand experience what will work out best for you next time.
Conclusion
I am very happy with the end result to this project. I am planning on using these dried stems in my fall decor this year so I am very happy that they turned out well for me.
Since it was my very first time drying any kind of floral out, I am pleased with the result. Have y’all ever tried to dry out hydrangeas before too?
If so, let me know below and give me any tips or tricks you may have learned along the way too!
I’ve always loved hydrangeas! Although where I grew up in Washington state, we had the blue ones. I recently found out they can live here in Hawaii at higher elevations as well! Thanks for the tips on drying these beautiful flowers!
Thank you so much! I love the blue ones too, my mom had some beautiful blue ones!
I love hydrangeas – this was so helpful.
Thank you! I am so glad you thought so!
Great post! Thank you for sharing! I love hydrangeas! They are so nice!
Thank you so much. I love hydrangeas too!
Great article – the detail is perfect for following these steps to a “t”
Thank you so much! I try to make it as foolproof as possible!
Great article – the detail is perfect for following these steps to a “t”!
I love this idea — such an easy way to add a bit of beauty and nature to the house! Thanks for sharing!
Thank you so much! Yes, I always love adding a bit of nature to the house. Plus, it’s free!
The end result looks so pretty! I wouldn’t know where to start with drying out flowers or anything like that. It’ll definitely make a lovely addition to your Fall decor this year!
Thank you so much! I didn’t really know what I was doing at first either, but I am so glad it turned out okay!
I tried to dry out petals in the past with wax paper and books or something but it turned out terribly. This is simple enough I could do it and they look so pretty too. What a nice touch for a fall table.
Yes you should definitely try this out! It’s pretty easy and simple!
This is perfect timing, I have a huge hydrangea bush by our front door and have been wondering how to make the most of the blooms for longer – I’ll be trying this DIY out at the weekend, thank you! Lisa
Your hydrangea bush is beautiful! I would love to have that outside my house. Definitely pinning these tips for the future as they just look so bright and fresh in your kitchen!
Thank you so much. I appreciate it! You will love having a hydrangea bush!
I totally want to try this! Dried flowers make the perfect addition to flat lays and lifestyle photos. Thanks for sharing this, great tips 🙂
Anika | chaptersofmay.com
Yes you definitely should and they totally are a great addition to a flatlay!
those flowers look like real nice as decorations! I’ve been wanting to have flowers as a home decor as well.
Thank you so much! you should definitely try it out! It was easy and fun to do!
Beautiful flowers! I love hydrangeas and I be they make beautiful fall decor! I’ll have to try this out!
Yes you definitely should! It is perfect for fall!
Oooh these tips are amazing, I’m definitely going to try this!
Love, Amie ❤
Thank you. You definitely should! It was fun and easy to do!
Hydrangeas are beautiful. Thank you for sharing your tips with me.
Thank you! I love hydrangeas too!
Hi, Charity! I really enjoyed this! Hydrangeas are one of my favorite blooms too. I love how you’ve arranged yours in that beautiful farmhouse vase. Everything about the charm brightens up your kitchen. Beautiful!
Your tips are very helpful as well. Thank you for sharing what worked best. There are so many methods out there, but many of them simply don’t work!
Sending love to you and your family. I hope each of you are blessed and happy. ♥
Thank you so much Holly. I really appreciate your kind comment. I hope you and your family are safe and healthy as well!
I won two pink and white hydrangea bushes at a baking content seven years ago and have loved them ever since, but I love the color of your flowers! Drying out the stems is a great way to have the flowers in the house a little longer, so I love the tips you share! Thanks so much.
Oh how fun! pink hydrangeas are beautiful too! So glad you enjoyed the post!
These are some very helpful tips for sure! The flowers look lovely so I am tempted to try this out
Mel 🌙 | Moonlight Mel
Thank you! You definitely should! It was so easy and fun to do!
I love hydrangeas! Great tips! I’m going to harvest my lavender today and hopefully dry them out but I’m a bit worried I’m a little late – I’ll give a good go though! Thank you for posting this!
Thank you so much! You should try it anyways just to see what happens! Hopefully you aren’t too late. And even you are, you can always try it again next year and that way you will know!
Thank you so much! You should try it anyways just to see what happens! Hopefully you aren’t too late. And even you are, you can always try it again next year and that way you will know.
I love hydrangeas so much! I wish I had a bush so I could dry them too. Would look gorgeous in the fall!
Yes! I am loving using them as fall decor this year!
Thanks for sharing, this looks a great way of keeping flowers for longer 🙂
Nic | Nic’s Adventures & Bakes
Yes it sure is a great way to do that!
These are so beautiful. I never thought to dry hydrangeas ouf of fear of it becoming messy. But this really simplifies the process.
Yes, you should try it! It wasn’t messy at all! I thought it would be messy too!
Very helpeful! Thank you for your post 🙂
Thank you. Glad you found it helpful!
Loving the info you share! Thank you! Two years ago, I purchased freshly cut hydrangea stems from a farmer’s market. They told me they were ready to be dried & tied the long stems together with twine for hanging upside down. I took their advice & dried them upside down in my garage. After over a year of forgetting about them, they were still beautiful. They are brittle, so they do need to be handled gently. I cut off the flower heads & placed varied shades in a tall glass hurricane pillar. They look lovely!
Awe I bet that does look so lovely! They are so beautiful when they are dried!