How to Dye Roses

Roses are a classic flower used in floral arrangements, but sometimes you need a certain color you just can't get anywhere. With a little bit of water, food coloring, and time, however, you can make your rose almost any color you want. The most common way of dyeing roses is by dipping the stem into colored water, and letting the rose soak up the dye. You can also dip the flower head directly into the water if you are in a hurry, however.

Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Dyeing Single-Color Roses

  1. Image titled Dye Roses Step 1
    1
    Purchase some white roses. Dye will show up the best on white roses. If you use colored roses, the dye will add to whatever color is already there. For example, if you try to dye a yellow rose blue, you will get green.
  2. Image titled Dye Roses Step 2
    2
    Cut the stem at a 45 degree angle with shears or a sharp knife. Hold the stem under water as you cut it down to 10 to 12 inches (25.4 to 30.5 centimeters). Cutting the stem at an angle will prevent it from sitting flat against the bottom of the cup. Cutting it under water will prevent air bubbles from forming. Both of these will help the rose absorb the dye better.[1]
    • Take this time to trim off any thorns and leaves as well.
    • Cut the stems shorter if you want the roses to soak up the dye faster. This will also help the roses turn out brighter.[2]
    Advertisement
  3. Image titled Dye Roses Step 3
    3
    Place the rose in a vase filled with plain water. Leave the rose in the water as you prepare the dye bath. If you want to make a bouquet, you can cut more roses. Work one rose at a time, and place it into the vase as you finish cutting it.
  4. Image titled Dye Roses Step 4
    4
    Prepare your dye bath. Fill a cup with ½ cup (120 milliliters) of warm water. Stir in 20 to 30 drops of food coloring or liquid watercolor.[3] If you want something more subtle, use 5 to 10 drops and 1 cup (240 milliliters) of water instead.[4]
  5. Image titled Dye Roses Step 5
    5
    Set the rose into the water, then wait for it to change color. This will take at least 4 hours, so be patient! The longer you wait, the deeper the color will become. After 4 hours or so, the rose will take on a pastel color. If you want it to be a deeper color, you will have to wait 1 to 2 days. Keep in mind that the roses will be streaky and speckled.[5]
    • Rose petals will have small veins. They will look darker after you finish dyeing the rose. If this bothers you, leave the rose in the dye longer.[6]
    • For an interesting effect, dye the rose in one color for about 3 hours, then put it in a different color for 2 hours, then a third color for 1 hour.[7]
  6. Image titled Dye Roses Step 6
    6
    Place the rose into a vase filled with fresh water. Once the rose is the color you want it to be, take the rose out of the dye, and place it into a vase filled with fresh water. If you want to help the rose last longer, add some floral preservative into the water.
    7. Advertisement
Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Dyeing Multi-Color Roses

  1. Image titled Dye Roses Step 7
    1
    Buy some white roses. Dye only adds to what color is already there; it does not replace color. If you want the dye to come out true to its color, you should use white roses.
  2. Image titled Dye Roses Step 8
    2
    Cut the stem down at an angle. Use a sharp knife to cut the stem down until they are 10 to 12 inches (25.4 to 30.5 centimeters) long. Make sure that the bottom is cut at a slight angle. Take this time to trim off any leaves, thorns, and buds as well.[8]
  3. Image titled Dye Roses Step 9
    3
    Split the stem halfway. Set the rose down on a cutting board or cutting mat. Use a sharp craft blade to cut the stem in half lengthwise. Stop when you are halfway up the stem.[9] If you are using shorter glasses, you can split the stems only 3 inches (7.6 centimeters).[10]
    • If your rose had a very thick stem to begin with, you can cut the stem into three or four sections instead.[11]
    • If you snap the stem by mistake, cut the entire stem down to 5 to 6 inches (12.7 to 15.2 centimeters), and dye it a single color.[12]
  4. Image titled Dye Roses Step 10
    4
    Place the rose into a vase filled with clear water. At this point, you can cut and split more roses, or move onto the next step.
  5. Image titled Dye Roses Step 11
    5
    Fill 2 to 4 cups with warm water. You will need ½ cup (120 milliliters) of warm water. How many cups you use depends on how many sections you cut your rose stem into. You will need one cup per section. Use cups that have straight walls.[13]
    • Roses drink up warm water more quickly than cool water.
  6. Image titled Dye Roses Step 12
    6
    Stir your desired dyes into the cups. You will need 20 to 30 drops of food coloring for each cup. If you can't find food coloring, you can use liquid watercolor instead. Use a different color for each cup.[14]
  7. Image titled Dye Roses Step 13
    7
    Place the split rose stem into the cups. Move the cups close together first, so that the rims are touching. Carefully spread apart the split rose stem. Place each section into a separate cup. Make sure that the stem is submerged in the dye as far as it will go.
  8. Image titled Dye Roses Step 14
    8
    Wait for the rose to change colors. The longer you let the rose sit in the dye, the deeper the color will become. If you want a pastel color, wait at least 4 hours. If you want a deeper color, wait several days.[15]
    • These roses won't end up with each petal a different color. They will be dyed in sections, like a pie chart.[16]
    • Rose petals have veins in them, which will look darker. If you want them to be less visible, leave the rose in the water for twice the recommended time.[17]
  9. Image titled Dye Roses Step 15
    9
    Transfer the rose to a vase filled with fresh water. If you want to, you can trim down the split end until the stem is whole again. To help you rose last even longer, still some floral preservative into the water first. Keep in mind, however, that some of the dye may leak back into the water and make it change color.
    10. Advertisement
Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Dip-Dyeing Roses

  1. Image titled Dye Roses Step 16
    1
    Choose a white rose. Dye only adds to the color that is already there. If you use a colored rose, the dye may end up a different color, or it may not show up at all. For best results, use a rose that is fully open.[18] This method is suitable for both fresh and dried roses.[19]
  2. Image titled Dye Roses Step 17
    2
    Trim the stem, leaves, and thorns. Use a sharp knife to cut the base of the stem off as an angle. Next, trim off any leaves, thorns, and buds. Place the rose into a vase filled with clear water while you prepare the dye in the next step.
    • Hold the stem under water while you cut it. This will help prevent air bubbles, which can clog up the stem and prevent the rose from drinking.
  3. Image titled Dye Roses Step 18
    3
    Prepare the dye bath in a bucket. How you prepare the dye depends on the type of dye you are using. Ink, food coloring, and fabric dye are all suitable options. If you can find floral dye, such as Dip It, you will get even better results. Choose your preferred dye, then prepare it in one of the following ways:[20]
    • Mix ink or food coloring into 1 gallon (3.8 liters) of water. Stir in 1 tablespoon (13 grams) of alum.
    • Mix fabric dye in 1 gallon (3.8 liters) of water. Use enough dye to get the color you want.
    • Prepare floral dye according to the instructions on the package.
  4. Image titled Dye Roses Step 19
    4
    Dip the rose into the dye for 2 to 3 seconds. Hold the rose upside-down by the stem, then dip the flower part into the dye. Swirl it around so that every petal gets coated. You only need to leave it in the dye for about 2 to 3 seconds.[21]
    • This method is different from the typical dyeing methods. You are only dipping the flower part into the dye, not the stem
  5. Image titled Dye Roses Step 20
    5
    Lift the rose out. Hold it upside down over the bucket so that the excess dye can drip back. Give the rose a gentle shake, if you need to, but be careful not to get droplets of dye on anything that might get stained.
  6. Image titled Dye Roses Step 21
    6
    Rinse the rose under clear water. Give it another shake to get rid of any extra water. If the color comes out too dark, rinse it under water a little longer. Keep in mind that the color will lighten as the rose dries.[22]
  7. Image titled Dye Roses Step 22
    7
    Set the rose into a vase so that it can dry. If the rose didn't turn out dark it enough, let it dry completely first, then repeat the dyeing process.[23] While the rose dries, you can dye more roses, if you need to. Don't get impatient, however; if you use the rose while the dye is still wet, you will risk staining your skin, clothing, and other items in your arrangement.
    • If you dyed a fresh rose, make sure that you fill the vase with water so that it doesn't wilt. Dried roses do not need water, however.
  8. Image titled Dye Roses Step 23
    8
    Use the rose(s) in your floral arrangement. If you are using fresh roses, be sure to add a packet of floral preservative into the water. This will help the roses last longer. Because you only dyed the flower part, you do not have to worry about the dye leaching back into the water. This means that you can use a clear vase without worrying about the water changing color.
    9. Advertisement

Community Q&A

  • Question
    Can I use these for cake decorating?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Yes, but only if you used food coloring. Dip-dyed roses are not recommended, because the dye may come off of the petals. Trim the stem down to a couple of inches/centimeters. If you want to, you can stick it into a bud vase before inserting it into the cake.
  • Question
    If I put white roses in black dye, will they be black?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Yes. The white flowers will absorb the black-dyed water and would turn out black.
  • Question
    Can I dye live roses that are still in potting soil and not cut flowers?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Of course. Just put some of the dye in the water you give the flowers every day.
Advertisement

Warnings

Advertisement

Things You'll Need

Dyeing Single-Color Roses

  • Fresh white roses
  • Sharp knife or shears
  • Small cups
  • Water
  • Food coloring
  • Vase

Dyeing Multi-Color Roses

  • Fresh white roses
  • Sharp knife or shears
  • Sharp knife or razor blade
  • Small cups
  • Water
  • Food coloring
  • Vase

Dip-Dyeing Roses

  • Fresh or dried white roses
  • Bucket
  • Water
  • Preferred dye
  • Vase


You Might Also Like

Make a Rainbow Rose
How to
Make a Rainbow Rose
How to
Dye Dried Roses
How to
Dye Flowers
How to
Clean and Polish Seashells
Drill a Hole in a Seashell (Without a Drill)
How to
Drill a Hole in a Seashell (Without a Drill)
How to
Preserve Petals
Preserve a Skull
How to
Preserve a Skull
How to Make String Art: A Fun & Easy DIY
How to
Hollow Out a Coconut
How to
Dye Fabric with Beets
How to
Make Moss Graffiti
Blow a Conch Shell
How to
Blow a Conch Shell
Braid String
How to
Braid String
Grow Moss Indoors
How to
Grow Moss Indoors
Advertisement

References

  1. ↑ https://www.thoughtco.com/how-to-make-colored-flowers-606178
  2. ↑ http://www.practicallyfunctional.com/diy-rainbow-roses/
  3. ↑ https://www.thoughtco.com/how-to-make-colored-flowers-606178
  4. ↑ http://www.practicallyfunctional.com/diy-rainbow-roses/
  5. ↑ https://theseamanmom.com/how-to-dye-roses/
  6. ↑ https://theseamanmom.com/how-to-dye-roses/
  7. ↑ http://www.dreamalittlebigger.com/post/rainbow-dyed-roses.html
  8. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6revvHtJLxM
  9. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6revvHtJLxM
  1. ↑ https://theseamanmom.com/how-to-dye-roses/
  2. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6revvHtJLxM
  3. ↑ https://theseamanmom.com/how-to-dye-roses/
  4. ↑ https://www.thoughtco.com/how-to-make-colored-flowers-606178
  5. ↑ https://www.thoughtco.com/how-to-make-colored-flowers-606178
  6. ↑ https://theseamanmom.com/how-to-dye-roses/
  7. ↑ http://www.hellowonderful.co/post/HOW-TO-DYE-RAINBOW-FLOWERS
  8. ↑ https://theseamanmom.com/how-to-dye-roses/
  9. ↑ http://www.floristchronicles.com/2011/create-black-flowers
  10. ↑ http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ep004
  11. ↑ http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ep004
  12. ↑ http://www.floristchronicles.com/2011/create-black-flowers
  13. ↑ http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ep004
  14. ↑ http://www.floristchronicles.com/2011/create-black-flowers
  15. ↑ https://www.thoughtco.com/how-to-make-colored-flowers-606178
  16. ↑ https://www.thoughtco.com/how-to-make-colored-flowers-606178
  17. ↑ http://www.dreamalittlebigger.com/post/rainbow-dyed-roses.html
  18. ↑ http://www.dreamalittlebigger.com/post/rainbow-dyed-roses.html

About This Article

Rachel Cho
Co-authored by:
Rachel Cho
Floral Designer & Plant Specialist
This article was co-authored by Rachel Cho. Rachel Cho is a Floral Designer, Plant Specialist, and the Owner of Rachel Cho Floral Design, a floral shop based in New York City. With more than 16 years of experience, she specializes in original and impactful floral design and is known for her dexterity, innate artistry, and design sense. Rachel’s work has been featured in numerous national media outlets such as The New York Times, Harper’s Bazaar, and Huffington Post Weddings. This article has been viewed 229,054 times.
3 votes - 73%
Co-authors: 19
Updated: January 29, 2023
Views: 229,054
Categories: Featured Articles | Rose Crafts | Nature Crafts
Article SummaryX

To dye roses, start by getting some white roses and cutting their stems under water at an angle to help the rose absorb the dye better. Next, place the roses in a vase filled with plain water while you prepare your dye bath of warm water and food coloring or liquid watercolor. Then, set the roses upright in the dyed water so the stems can absorb the color. Wait 4 hours to 2 days, or until you achieve the desired color. To learn how to dip-dye roses, keep reading!

Did this summary help you?
Advertisement