How To Dry Flowers in a Microwave (In 2 Minutes)

Drying flowers is a great way to preserve them for future use, but it can be a bit of a process. If you want to save some time, consider drying your flowers in the microwave instead. Not only is this a quicker process than using an oven, but it also offers more control over exactly how dry they end up.

The only downside to this method is that you can only do very small batches at once. Because of the rapid drying process, some folks staunchly maintain that microwave preservation allows them to retain their vibrant colors far better than other drying methods.

How pretty the flowers are will not make any difference to you when mixing up a healing salve or making a meal during a survival situation. But, when working on a crafting project or a dish containing wild edibles for a gathering, the colorful hue and flatness of the flower petals could make a great deal of difference.

There are a few basic tips you can follow when drying your flowers in the microwave – let’s take a closer look!

What Flowers Dry Well in the Microwave?

When it comes to drying flowers in the microwave, some are better suited for the job than others. Here are a few types of flowers that dry beautifully when microwaved:

• Daisy – Daisies retain their bright yellow centers and white petals when dried in the microwave. You can hang these charming little blooms upside down, or arrange them into decorative displays.
• Marigold – Marigolds are known for having tough petals; they also maintain their color quite well when microwaved. These cheerful yellow-orange blooms make great additions to wreaths and floral arrangements.
• Zinnia – Zinnias come in many vibrant colors, so they’re perfect for people who want dried flowers with lots of vibrancy. These beautiful blooms will hold up nicely when microwaved—just make sure you pick ones that haven’t started wilting yet!
• Lavender – Lavender has pleasingly fragrant leaves and buds that look lovely when dried. When hung upside down, lavender bunches can add a touch of rustic charm to any room.
• Baby’s Breath – Baby’s breath is one of those classic filler flowers that adds just enough texture and color without overpowering other blossoms in an arrangement. Fortunately, baby’s breath holds up incredibly well when dried in the microwave—making it ideal for anyone looking to create long-lasting floral decorations.

Steps to Drying Flowers in the Microwave

Ingredients

• freshly picked or purchased flowers
• two ceramic tiles (avoid glass tiles as they may break)
• paper towels or an old newspaper
• scissors

Instructions

Step 1. Snip or pinch off the flowers just beneath the head so they lay as flat as possible. I like to use a pair of scissors to make a clean cut. Do so as close to the bottom of the bloom as possible.

Step 2. Place the first tile with the shiny surface up:

Step 3. Place a paper towel on top of the first tile inside the microwave.

Step 4. Place a single row of flower heads onto the newspaper or paper towel:

Step 5. Place another paper towel on top of the flowers.

Step 6. Put the second tile on top of the flowers and paper towels, with the shiny surface facing them. So shiny face up for the first tile, shiny ace down for the 2^nd tile. Make sure all of the flowers are contained beneath the weight:

Step 7. Set the microwave to half power and dehydrate in 30 seconds intervals. Microwave for 30 seconds three times, then check up on the petals. If they aren’t fully dry yet, do it for another 30 seconds, then check again and repeat until they’re done.

Step 8. Remove the tile at the top, and carefully flip over the drying flowers. This is how they will look once you turn them:

Step 9. Replace the paper towels.

Step 10. Repeat the careful flipping of the flowers process in 30-second intervals until the flower heads are completely dry. You’ll know they’re fully dry when they are crispy, and not at all sticky to the touch. If the flowers aren’t ready, they’ll feel tacky when you touch them.

Storage

Use or store the preserved flowers as soon as they are cool enough to touch. Store the microwave dried flower heads in an airtight container in a cool dry place until ready to use.

What to Do With Flowers You Dried

So, what to do with these flowery dried masterpieces? Well, there are endless possibilities for arrangements, crafts, and more!

Dried flowers can be used to create truly unique and personalized photo frames. You can either glue them around the edges of a plain frame or arrange them beneath the glass of a floating frame.

Combine various dried flowers to create a colorful and eye-catching statement piece for your favorite memories. This also makes for a thoughtful, homemade gift for loved ones.

Another idea? Jewelry! If you’ve never considered incorporating dried flowers into your accessories, now is the time to give it a try! By using epoxy resin, you can create beautifully unique jewelry, such as pendants, earrings, and bracelets. Simply arrange your flowers in a mold, pour the resin over them, and let it cure.

You can also use your flowers for centerpieces or floral arrangements, the most common choice. Breathe life into your living space with chic centerpieces featuring dried flowers. Combine various sizes, shapes, and colors for a vibrant and lush display.

Place your arrangements in rustic jars or sleek vases to match your decor style. You can also incorporate other materials, such as moss, rocks, or wood for a more organic, natural look.

And finally, you can use your dried flowers for art. Dried flowers make for fantastic focal points in any room when turned into wall art. From minimalist, single-flower displays to elaborate arrangements or collages, the sky is the limit.

You can attach your flowers directly to an art canvas using craft glue, or create framed box displays by mounting them on foam board or shadow boxes.

Drying Flowers in the Microwave for Arrangements

If you are preserving the flowers for a table arrangement or other type of decor where the stems also need drying, you can do that in the microwave, as well.

To dry and stiffen the stems, wrap them with floral tape, twine, or string through the base of the flower head and in a helix formation down and around the stem. The stems will not be flexible after drying using this method.

Do NOT use any kind of metal wire as it has no business going into the microwave! Metal can easily spark and easily damage the device.

How to Store Dried Flowers

I’ve read several online tutorials on microwaving flowers, stems, and leaves that are different than mine. One recommends putting a silica gel packet in the microwave oven with the drying flowers to soak up moisture, and the other uses a small bowl of kitty litter for the same purpose.

If you’re only going to be using small amounts of the flowers (or leaves or stems) at once after you dry them, store the flowers in smaller containers. The more the dried flowers are exposed to air and moisture, the quicker they fall apart or go bad. When dried and stored properly, preserved flowers should last for about 1 to 3 years typically.

You can choose to press your dried flowers in a book… But, the best way to store them, again, is to pack them into an airtight container and put them in a cool, dark place. Avoid keeping them in direct sunlight, as this will cause the colors to slowly fade.

The microwave method works incredibly well for most types of flowers, but if you decide that you’d rather not go for this method, there are other techniques to try (including using a dehydrator or dehydrating your flowers in the oven).

Whatever you choose, don’t be afraid to give it a try! It’s a great way to keep the beauty of spring and summer inside your home year-round.

How Long to Microwave Dried Flowers For?

The length of time required will depend on many factors such as flower size and type, humidity levels, etc., but typically each cycle should take no longer than 30 seconds.

Keep an eye out for any discoloration or browning as this indicates that too much heat has been applied and some of the petals may be burned or damaged.