What to do with rose petals

How to dry rose petals

Let's start by exploring how to properly dry your rose petals, setting the stage for these delightful projects:

- Detach petals gently from the flower for the drying process. - Lay petals on newspaper or cardboard in a single layer. - Place in a dry location for 2-3 days until they feel dry. - Once dried, store them in a sealable jar away from moisture.

Read: How to Dry Roses

1. Make potpourri with rose petals

Roses are known for their beautiful scent, and making potpourri can keep their beautiful essence lasting longer. Potpourri can be made using any flowers and essential oils, however roses are some of the most popular ones.

To add a flash of colour, you could try using yellow roses, or pink and red for something more traditional. For a winning rose petal potpourri, try this combination:

Rose petal potpourri

1. Remove petals from the flower to start the drying process

2. Spread the petals over newspaper or cardboard to allow them to dry

3. Place them in a dry spot for two or three days until they look and feel dry

4. Once the rose petals are dry, place them in a sealable jar

5. Add half a cup of dried lavender and some rose and lavender essential oils too

6. Close the container and shake

7. Leave for a day or two

8. Shake again

9. Open to release the delicious aroma, adding any further oils or scents as you see fit.

10. For Christmas, cloves, orange peel and cinnamon can be lovely additions

2. Make a dried rose wreath

There’s nothing more festive than making yout wreath, and dried roses look great as an addition to your Christmas wreath. Simply weave your roses into your wreath when they are alive, or starting to dry out and allow them to age whole. Be sure to dry them facing downwards so that they age as beautifully as possible. They will give a lovely aroma to your wreath and add a flowery touch.

White roses look stunning in a dried wreath, and can be perfect for a wedding anniversary or festive flower arrangement using your dried flowers. They dry to a light cream colour and last for up to three weeks.

3. Dress fruits with roses

Fresh rose petals not only look beautiful, but they are completely edible too! If you’re having a dinner party or serving a fruit based dessert, adding rose petals can be a delightful surprise. They have a floral scent and taste, and can be eaten with fruits and sweet treats.

If you’re not sure about sprinkling them on top of your dessert, why not place them on the side for decoration?

4. Make your own rose scrub

Making a DIY rose scrub can be a lovely gift, or a homemade treat for yourself. It’s a great way to use rose petals and easy to make. We recommend using pink roses for this scrub, as they seem to hold their colour a bit better than other colours. Roses are organic matter and when they fade some of them can go more of a beige or brown colour, but pink roses tend to fade to a soft mauve which looks pretty in a scrub.

Homemade Rose Scrub

1. Gently pluck the fresh rose petals

2. Add 1 cup of sugar, half a cup of coconut oil and 2 cups of rose petals to a blender

3. Blend the mixture until it feels and looks like a scrub (adding more oil if it’s too solid)

4. Add in 10 drops of rose essential oil and mix together

5. Pop it into a container and keep for yourself, or give away as a gift!

5. Make rosewater with dried rose petals

Rose water is one of the most popular beauty tonics of the moment, with great benefits for the skin. Rose water is a great way to calm acne and skin issues and balance the skin’s acid and pH levels.

You may have noticed that lots of top beauty brands are now featuring rose water as a tonic or skin solution to calm the skin and soothe any burns or itchiness. It’s super gentle on the skin and can be ingested or placed onto the skin directly to reap all of the amazing benefits. Ideally, you should aim to use organic roses, or those with minimal pesticides if you’re ingesting their residue, however you can still use standard roses as long as you give them a good clean prior.

Rose water

1. Remove the rose petals from the flower

2. Clean the rose petals thoroughly

3. Place the roses at the centre of a large empty saucepan and cover with around a cup of water

4. Cover the saucepan and bring the heat up to a simmer

5. Allow around 30 minutes for the rose petals to infuse the water

6. After half an hour, take the saucepan lid off and you’ll be left with rose water in the bowl which is ready to be used as a skin tonic!

6. Press your roses

Keeping roses beautiful for a long time is easy and fun. You can press roses to save them and use them to decorate a card or a phone case for example. Here's how to press roses in 10 simple steps:

1. Choose fresh, vibrant roses

2. Remove excess moisture and trim stems

3. Place roses between absorbent paper

4. Arrange face down with spacing

5. Stack them inside a book or flower press

6. Add weight for pressure

7. Wait 1-2 weeks in a cool, dark place

8. Check after a week for dryness

9. Carefully remove pressed roses

10. Use for crafts or decoration

Read: How to press flowers

7. Make rose petal ice cubes

To add a lovely touch to your drinks and make any occasion more special, follow these simple steps to make rose petal ice cubes:

1. Get fresh rose petals without chemicals

2. Wash the petals to remove dirt

3. Put one or two petals in each ice cube hole

4. Fill the tray with clean water

5. Freeze until the water turns into ice

6. Take out the rose petal ice cubes carefully

7. Keep them in a sealed bag or container in the freezer

8. Use them in drinks like water, lemonade, or fancy drinks for a nice look and taste

8. Make a dried rose bouquet

Creating a dried rose bouquet is a lovely way to preserve the beauty of roses for a long time. Here's a simple guide to make your own dried rose bouquet:

1. Gently shake or blot the roses to remove moisture.

2. Trim stems to desired length.

3. Securely tie the roses in a bundle with a rubber band or string.

4. Hang the bouquet upside down in a dark, dry, and ventilated area.

5. Allow roses to air dry for 2-3 weeks until completely dry.

6. Remove the dried roses and arrange them into a bouquet.

7. Use floral tape or ribbon to hold the stems together.

8. Optionally, enhance the bouquet with baby's breath, ribbon, or foliage.

9. Display in a vase or as a decorative piece.

With these simple steps, you can create a stunning dried rose bouquet to enjoy for a long time. Discover our selection of dried flowers

9. Use your rose petals in a bath

To do so, get some clean petals, fill your tub with warm water, and put the petals in for a nice smell. Sit and relax in the good-smelling bath, then let the water out and wash off when you're done. It's an easy way to have a fancy and calming bath.

10. Make a rose perfume

Making your own rose perfume is a fun and easy project that allows you to enjoy the lovely scent of roses. Here are simple steps to create your rose perfume:

1.  Collect fresh rose petals (around 1 cup), distilled water (1/4 cup), and a small glass jar with a lid

2. Rinse the rose petals gently to remove any dirt or impurities

3. Put the cleaned rose petals into the glass jar

4. Pour the distilled water over the rose petals in the jar

5. Close the jar with its lid tightly to trap the rose scent

6. Let the mixture sit in a cool, dark place for a day or two to allow the scent to infuse

7. Use a fine strainer or cheesecloth to separate the liquid from the rose petals, transferring the scented liquid to a new container

8. Pour your homemade rose perfume into a small spray bottle or a decorative glass container

9. Spray or dab a bit of your homemade rose perfume on your wrists or neck for a delightful floral fragrance

For more rose inspiration, head over to our blog. Or shop roses now to find your perfect bouquet.