How to Preserve Fresh Roses

Overview

Preserving fresh roses allows you to create beautiful arrangements or ornamental wreaths and wall hangings for your home or as gifts. It also lets you enjoy roses that have sentimental value, such as those received as a gift, used in a wedding bouquet or prom corsage, or taken as cuttings from a favorite relative's garden. There are a number of methods for preserving roses, but using silica gel results in brilliant, lifelike colors that will last for years to come.

Step 1

Trim or remove any damaged or brown leaves or petals. Preserved roses will keep the traits they possess when fresh, so remove anything that detracts from its appearance.

Step 2

Place a small amount of silica gel in a microwave-safe container. It should be enough to completely cover the bottom of the container and provide a cushion between the rose and the bottom and sides of the container.

Step 3

Set the rose gently in the container. Arrange any of the leaves or petals as desired. It will eventually dry in the shape it is placed in, so arrange it in a way that is pleasing to the eye.

Step 4

Cover the rose with silica gel, taking care not to move it out of position.

Step 5

Fill a microwave-safe cup with water and place it in the corner of the microwave.

Step 6

Place the silica gel covered rose in the microwave, along with the cup of water.

Step 7

Microwave the rose for 60 to 90 seconds on full power.

Step 8

Remove the rose from the microwave, leaving it covered in silica gel in the container and set it aside. You can discard the water from the microwave.

Step 9

Wait for the silica gel to cool completely. This is likely to take four to six hours.

Step 10

Remove the rose from the silica gel, gently blowing or dusting off any remaining silica.