How to Dye Dried Roses

Co-authored by Malori Maeva

Last Updated: February 18, 2023

Dying dried roses can be a little hard, but if you try, you'll get a wonderful result like frozen colors. In fact, all you need is a little boiling water, some dye, and flowers that have already dried up. This article will teach you about the traditional way to dye dried roses, along with a nifty tutorial on how to tie-dye roses. Read on for more information.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Dying Roses a Single Color

1
First, take a dried rose, making sure that it is completely dry. White roses work especially well for this exercise: Like blank canvasses, they're easier to transfer colors onto than other colored roses.
2
Fill a pot with water and bring it to boil. Have enough water in the pot so that you can fully submerge your rose petals after it has come to a boil. How much water you put in will therefore depend on the type of pot you use.

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3
Add the dye to the pot after the water has come to a boil. Many people prefer to use Rit dye, although other dyes or food colorings can easily be used. Depending on the amount of water in the pot, add anywhere from 8 to 15 drops. More drops will help achieve a deeper color.
4
Add a little bit of salt to the water. Make sure that you have dissolved the salt in the dye. Salt helps the color adhere to the flowers. 1 teaspoon should be sufficient for a medium-sized pot of water.
5
Insert the roses petals into the mixture. The hotter the water is when you submerge the rose petals, the deeper the color will be. The cooler the water when you submerge the rose petals, the lighter the color will be.
- You can actually get a pretty cool, "airy" effect with your dye by submerging the petals into cooler water for less time. Many people prefer this type of color to the uniform, deep color of hot water dyes.
- Dipping isn't the only way to dye flowers. There are some cases where it's better to use a spray to dye them, depending on the flower. Do some research before dyeing other kinds of flowers.
6
Hang the flowers to dry from a wire rack or other safe location.
7
Finished.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Tie-Dying Roses

1
Trim each rose you're using down to size. You're going to be cutting the stem in half or in fourths and putting each half or quarter into a separate dye basin. Many rose stems need to be fairly short in order to do this, although not all need to be, especially if you can find a tall glass for your dye basin.
2
Cut each rose stem in half or in fourths. If you want a truly mind-blowing tie-dye experience, cut the rose in fourths. Otherwise, just cut the stem in half. Creating two semi-stems should give you more than enough flower power — don't you worry.
- You don't have to cut the stem of the roses all the way up to the bottom of the flower. In most cases, cutting the stem up about halfway will be sufficient for the dyeing process.
3
Find a useful dye basin for your dyes. Popsicle molds make ideal receptacles for dyes, giving you the opportunity to dye several flowers at once. If you can't find a popsicle mold, consider using two glasses or two vases for each rose.
4
Place different color dyes in each dye basin. Only a little amount is necessary, as long as it submerges the bottom of the rose stem.
- Try getting colors that match or interact well together. Red and pink work well, as do green and yellow; blue and purple; yellow and orange; green and blue.
5
Position your rose stems in your dye basin and leave them there until they soak up all the dye. After about 8 hours, you'll begin to see some very nice coloring in your rose petals. After 24 hours, your rose petals should be almost a completely different color.
6
Remove the roses from the dye basin. Your roses are ready to present or dry out for posterity!

Community Q&A

Question

Does it work if the roses aren't dried out?

Community Answer

Yes.
Question

I dyed my roses. What is the best way to dry them so I can preserve them?

T. Chinsen

Top Answerer

Step 6 of the article recommends placing them on a wire rack to air dry. They can also be dried in an oven using a temperature of 175°F (79°C). The time depends on the quantity and how wet the items are when placed in the oven. The humidity level will also be a factor.
Question

Does the tie-dye process work on dried roses?

Sophie

Community Answer

No, the flowers should still be absorbing water or the dye will not be taken in.