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How to Preserve a Rose

Lowe's Editorial Team

By Lowe's Editorial Team
Published January 21, 2025

Roses have long been cherished for their beauty and symbolism. But when plucked, a rose will start to wilt within a day or two. In this guide, we'll walk you through some simple methods on how to preserve a rose.

Tools and Materials

Tools

  • Heavy book

  • Box

  • Silicon Mold

  • Plates

  • String

Materials

How Long Do Roses Last And Methods To Preserve Them

The lifespan of a rose depends on the care and method used to preserve it. From air drying to microwaving these blooms, there are many preservation techniques to choose from. With attention to detail and a little patience, even the most fragile rose can be transformed into a lasting keepsake.

Method 1: Air Drying

Air drying is one of the most common and easiest methods to preserve a rose. This method is best for roses in full bloom, allowing them to retain much of their natural shape and beauty.

  • When air drying, hang your flower upside down with the help of a string. 
  • For best results, dry your flowers in a dark, well-ventilated room away from direct sunlight.   
  • Check on the flowers every few days for one to two weeks until they are completely dehydrated. 
  • Spray them with colorless hairspray for protection. 
  • You can now display these flowers in a vase or hang them as a decoration.

Method 2: Pressing Flowers

Pressing roses between the pages of a book is a classic and effective way to preserve it. A heavy book with thick pages will work best.

  • Make sure that your rose is not dewy or wet when pressing it. 
  • Take a heavy book and place the rose inside one of its pages. When pressing more than one rose, arrange the flowers so they do not overlap. 
  • The moisture in the roses can wrinkle or stain the pages, so be mindful of which book you choose for this process. 
  • Leave untouched for two to three weeks. 
  • You can use these pressed roses for bookmarks, stationary or a scrapbook.

Method 3: Microwave-Preserving

This quick method works best for flower heads and blooms with a shorter stem, but it must be done carefully. 

  • On a plate, lay two paper towels and your rose on them. 
  • Repeat this process for the number of rose heads you want to preserve. 
  • Then, add a second plate on top and firmly press down. 
  • Place both plates and the roses set in between into the microwave
  • Set on high heat and microwave until the roses are dehydrated. 
  • Check on the roses every 60 seconds to avoid burning.

Caution

It is vital to exercise extreme caution and monitor the flower closely.  Immediately stop the microwave if you notice any signs of smoke or burning.

Method 4: Preserving Roses Using Resin

A high-quality casting resin is a great way to preserve roses.

  • Make sure your flowers are dehydrated before you begin. Never use fresh flowers when preserving them in resin.
  • Prepare your resin according to the manufacturer's instructions. Different brands may require different steps.
  • Fill a silicone mold halfway with resin and then arrange the roses as you prefer.
  • Place the mold on an even surface and gently pour the rest of the resin in, watching for bubbles.
  • Let the resin cure for at least two days before demolding.

Method 5: Using Sand to Preserve Roses

Fine sand can be used to preserve sturdy roses.

  • In a box, pour about a one-inch layer of fine sand.
  • Lay down the roses in the sand, ensuring they do not overlap.
  • Now, slowly pour sand onto the roses, completely burying each and every petal.
  • Cover the box and allow the flowers to dry for two weeks before emptying the sand.

Method 6: Preserve Roses With Hairspray

Using hairspray is an easy method to prolong the life of your roses.

  • Take your fresh roses and place them in a vase.
  • Hold the hairspray a few inches away from the roses and spray them.
  • Hang these roses upside down to dry for one to two weeks.
  • Repeat this process every few days. 

Method 7: Preserve Roses With Glycerin

Glycerin helps retain the natural texture and shape of the roses.

  • In a vase, mix one part glycerin with two parts of warm water.
  • Place the stemmed roses in this vase.
  • The roses will gradually absorb the glycerin, taking up several weeks.
  • This will help the flowers preserve their natural form.

Maintenance Tips for Preserving Roses

Learning how to preserve a rose is a beautiful process that lets you enjoy the beauty of the flower a little longer. Here are some maintenance tips for preserving roses.

  1. Always keep your roses away from direct sunlight. Place them in a dark, cool and well-ventilated room.
  2. Don’t squish, press or bend your roses before or after the drying process.
  3. Don't move or handle the dried roses unless needed, as this could make the petals fall apart.
  4. Avoid contact with water and any form of moisture.