How to Dry Peonies: 4 Different Ways and Tips

I’ve spent time learning how to dry peonies and am excited to share everything I know with you.

Whether you want to save a special bouquet or create long-lasting decorations, drying peonies is easier than you might think.

From picking the right blooms to choosing your drying method, this guide will walk you through every step.

By the end, you’ll be ready to preserve these lovely flowers and enjoy them all year round.

A Stepwise Guide to Drying Peonies

Drying peonies is a simple and rewarding way to enjoy these beautiful blooms all year round. Follow these steps, and you’ll have gorgeous, dried peonies to decorate your home.

1. Choose the Right Blooms

Start by selecting peonies that are fresh and vibrant.

Look for mostly open but not fully bloomed flowers—this stage helps them dry well without losing too many petals.

Avoid flowers that are already shedding or look wilted.

2. Trim Away the Leaves and Buds

Gently remove all the leaves from the stems. This might seem tedious, but trust me, it makes things easier once they’re dry.

Leaves can get in the way when arranging dried flowers. If there are any small buds, you can snip those off, too, since they don’t dry as nicely.

3. Tie the Stems

Tie a piece of string or twine around the stem, preferably where you’ve removed a leaf.

Those little notches help keep the string from slipping. You don’t need to go fancy here—a simple double knot works just fine.

4. Hang the Flowers Upside Down

Now, find a good spot to hang them. A closet rod or a spare room works great if the space is dry, dark, and undisturbed.

Hanging them upside down helps the flowers hold their shape and keeps them from getting flattened. Tie the string securely to the rod, and let gravity do its thing.

5. Wait for the Magic to Happen

Leave the peonies hanging for about two weeks. The drying time can vary depending on how humid your environment is, but two weeks is a safe bet.

If you’re unsure, check them after a week—they should feel papery and stiff.

6. Take Them Down and Inspect

Once the flowers are fully dried, carefully cut them down from the strings. Inspect them for any petals that might look brown or damaged.

If you see any, gently pluck them off. Be careful not to tug too hard, or you might pull off petals you want to keep.

7. Trim the Stems

Dried stems can be a bit tough, so grab a pair of strong scissors or garden shears to trim them to your preferred length.

Regular scissors probably won’t cut it—literally! Something sturdy, like kitchen shears, works best.

8. Arrange and Enjoy

Now, the fun part—arranging! Place your dried peonies in a vase, create a bouquet, or use them as part of a decorative arrangement.

Their antique, rustic look adds charm to any space, and they’ll last for months with little to no maintenance.

A Few Handy Tips:

• Different peony varieties will dry differently. Magenta blooms often deepen into rich, dark shades, while whites may take on an antique ivory hue. Experiment with what you have!
• Avoid placing dried flowers in direct sunlight. It can fade their colors over time.
• If you see any dust building up on your dried peonies, give them a gentle blow with a can of compressed air or lightly dust them with a soft brush.

Other Methods for Drying Peonies

I. Using Silica Gel to Dry Peonies

Materials You’ll Need

• Silica gel crystals
• A plastic container with an airtight lid
• A soft brush (a makeup brush works well)
• Sharp scissors

Instructions

1. Cut your peonies to the length you want
2. Remove all leaves from the stems
3. Pour a base layer of silica gel into your container
4. Stand the flowers upright in the container
5. Pour more silica gel slowly around and over the flowers until they’re fully covered.
6. Seal the container tightly
7. Place in a room away from direct sunlight
8. Wait 3-5 days for complete drying
9. Remove flowers carefully
10. Use your soft brush to clean off any remaining gel gently

Important Tips

• Make sure your container is deep enough for the flower length
• Keep the container sealed the entire time
• Handle the dried flowers with extra care as they become delicate
• Store away from direct light to maintain color

II. How to Press Dry Your Peonies

What You’ll Need

• Blotting paper or newspaper
• Heavy books OR a flower press
• Sharp scissors
• Clean working surface

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Pick smaller peony blooms for best results
2. Cut stems to your desired length
3. Take off all leaves
4. Place flowers between two sheets of paper
5. Put the paper with flowers inside a heavy book
6. Stack more books on top
7. Change the paper every 2-3 days
8. Wait 1-2 weeks for complete drying

Key Tips

• Use clean, dry paper each time you replace it
• Keep your pressing set up in a dry spot
• Make sure books are heavy enough to flatten flowers
• Check regularly for any signs of moisture
• Be very gentle when removing dried flowers

Important Note: Choose peonies that aren’t too thick or full – smaller blooms work better for pressing. The thinner the flower, the better it will press.

III. How to Dry Peonies in a Vase

What You’ll Need

• A clean vase
• Freshwater
• Sharp scissors
• Fresh peony blooms

Step 1: Prepare Your Vase Fill your vase with clean, fresh water. Make sure the vase is clean and free from any residue that might affect the drying process.

Step 2: Prepare Your Flowers Cut your peony stems at an angle with sharp scissors. Remove all leaves that would sit below the water line. This step prevents decay and helps your flowers dry more effectively.

Step 3: Position Your Flowers. Place your peonies in the vase, making sure each bloom has enough space around it. Don’t crowd them – good air circulation helps prevent mold.

Step 4: Find the Right Spot. Put your vase in a location that has

• Good airflow
• No direct sunlight
• Room temperature conditions
• Low humidity

Step 5: Monitor the Process

• Don’t add more water, as it evaporates
• Watch for any signs of mold
• Remove any petals that show excess browning
• Let the water naturally evaporate

Step 6: Final Stages Your peonies are done drying when

• Petals feel papery to touch
• Stems are completely dry
• Flowers feel lightweight
• No moisture remains in the vase

Important Tips

• Start with fresh, strong blooms
• Keep the vase away from heat sources
• Don’t move the vase around too much during drying
• Expect some natural color changes

Creative Ways to Use Your Dried Peonies

Bringing Nature Inside

In your home, they create stunning focal points when gathered together in a simple vase or woven into flowing garlands that catch the eye.

Many people place them in wall hangings where soft petals add texture and interest to any room.

Making Moments Special

Wedding couples often use them to create one-of-a-kind centerpieces that guests remember long after the day ends.

The dried flowers add a soft touch to ceremony spaces, whether scattered along tables or crafted into dramatic backdrops that frame special moments.

Photographers also love working with dried peonies, using them to add warmth to their photo sessions.

Adding Personal Touches

When you wrap a gift, tucking a dried peony into the ribbon transforms an ordinary package into something memorable.

They make lovely additions to handmade cards and craft projects, lending their natural beauty to paper goods of all kinds.

Some people even wear them, creating delicate hair pieces that add some of nature’s magic to their style.

Preserving Precious Memories

A bride might save her bouquet, carefully drying the blooms to keep forever. Others press the flowers between glass to create wall art that captures a special day.

Some craft enthusiasts mix the dried petals with herbs to make sweet-smelling potpourri, bringing back happy memories every time they catch its scent.

Caring for Your Dried Flowers

Keep them away from bright sunlight that might fade their color, and find a cool spot where they can rest undisturbed.

When cleaning them, use only the softest brush to remove any dust. Most importantly, protect them from moisture that could spoil their delicate beauty.

The Perfect Time to Dry Your Peonies

Morning

The best time to gather peonies for drying starts in the early morning, right after the sun has dried away the dew.

Early morning cuts mean your flowers are fresh and strong, filled with the natural strength they’ve built up at night.

Wait until any morning moisture has lifted from the petals – this helps your peonies dry without any risk of mold taking hold.

Finding the right bloom

Look for flowers that have opened into their full beauty but still hold their shape with pride.

The perfect peony for drying shows off firm petals that stand tall and strong.

You’ll know it’s ready when the bloom has opened enough to show its full form, but the petals still feel sturdy when you touch them gently. These flowers will hold their shape best as they dry.

Pay attention to the weather

Skip the rainy days entirely – moisture is not your friend when drying flowers. Watch out for high humidity that could slow drying even on sunny days.

Clear, dry days give your peonies the best start on becoming lasting decorations.

Signs of Readiness

Peonies ready for drying should feel fresh and strong, not soft or drooping. The petals should hold together well, with none starting to drop.

This strong starting point helps ensure your dried flowers keep their shape and beauty through the preservation process.

Summing up

Now, you have all the tools and knowledge to dry your peonies.

Remember, finding the best method for you might take some practice, and that’s perfectly fine. 

Don’t worry if your first try isn’t perfect – mine wasn’t either!

Just keep these tips in mind, and soon, you’ll have beautiful dried peonies to enjoy long after their growing season ends.

Happy drying, and enjoy your preserved blooms!