How to Dye Dried Flowers and Grasses

So we all know dyed dried florals and pampas grass are back in a big way. This trend that started what feels like ages ago, and technically did if you can remember the 70s and 80s, is still holding strong and even coming dangerously close to that small dusty arrangement your grandma used to have on her side table. 

Sidenote: I promise you will never see dried baby’s breath on this site. I don’t care how many times someone tries to do something new or interesting, it will always be the Jagermeister of flowers for me. Barf.

I think one way to keep the look of dried florals interesting is to dye them completely unnatural colors. Everyone expects the soft fall and neutral tones, but purple pampas grass and aqua bunny tails are way more fun! Now it is true that you can purchase all types of dyed florals. This craft project is for the weirdos out there like me who have an idea in their head that will simply not be satisfied by anything easy to find and purchase. 

What You Will Need

bleached dried florals

Rit fabric dye

a tub (large enough to submerge your botanicals)

clothes line or something similar

rubber bands or twist ties

zip ties

The Process

1. Set up a drying station by stringing a clothesline in a sunny area outside or somewhere you don’t mind getting stained.

2. Boil water and pour it into a tub. 

3. Mix dye according to package.

4. Submerge florals completely in the tub.

5. Leave in for approximately 15 minutes.

6. Pull out the freshly dyed florals and tie them together in a bunch with a rubber band or twist tie.

7. Attach the florals to the line by running a zip tie through the rubber band and then attaching that zip tie to the line. We found that any clips we tried didn’t work and zip ties were the easiest. 

8. Allow to hang at least 24 hours, possibly longer, to dry out the bunch completely.

9. Depending on the type of botanical you choose you may need to fluff up anything stuck together after the botanical dries.

I found the results to be fairly consistent with each batch. The colors were lighter than I anticipated, but beautiful nonetheless. I think next time I may go heavier with the dye as opposed to leaving them submerged longer. I’m nervous the stems would have disintegrated if left too long.

Cheers!

Jen

To see what I made with these fab florals check out my other post Colorful Fall Botanical Inspiration.