The best part about hydrangea blooms? You don’t have to say goodbye to them once the season ends! You can actually preserve these stunning flowers to enjoy their beauty all year round. In this post, I’ll walk you through exactly how to cut and dry your hydrangeas so you can use them for gorgeous indoor decor.
How to Cut the Perfect Blooms
If you’re dreaming of those big, show-stopping flowers, it all starts with picking the right spot in your garden. Most hydrangeas are happiest in partial shade or dappled sunlight. They’re also big fans of acidic soil and plenty of moisture—getting these factors right is the secret to vibrant blooms and rich colors. For the best results, I always recommend using a dedicated hydrangea potting soil.
When you’re ready to preserve them, you’ll want to wait until the flower heads are fully developed. August is usually the sweet spot for pruning your hydrangeas for drying. Make sure your garden shears are nice and clean so you don’t introduce any bacteria to the plant. Look for the fullest, most beautiful clusters and cut them with a good amount of stem attached.
Quick Guide for Cutting:
- Disinfect your pruning shears.
- Pick out the healthiest, most attractive flower heads.
- Cut the stem about 8 inches (20cm) below the flower.
- Make your cut at a slight angle.
How to Preserve Your Hydrangea Blooms
Once you’ve brought your flowers inside, the first thing you’ll want to do is strip away all the leaves from the stems. You want to be left with just the clean stem and that beautiful flower “pom-pom” at the top. Grab a vase and fill it with just enough water so that the bottom 4 inches (10cm) of the stems are submerged. Since hydrangea blooms are so voluminous, even a single stem in a bud vase looks absolutely stunning!
Now, here’s the “secret” trick: just leave them be. Don’t top off the water. As the flowers drink up what’s in the vase, they will slowly begin to dry out naturally. By the time the water is gone, your hydrangeas should be perfectly preserved. Once they’re dry to the touch, you can use these lovely dried globes as standalone decor or tuck them into a dried floral arrangement for a touch of farmhouse charm.
