Instead of throwing the bouquet of dead flowers you received for Valentine’s Day in the bin, how about finding fun and creative ways to breathe new life into them?
Not only does repurposing wilted or dried-out flowers extend its beauty but it also promotes eco-friendly habits by reducing waste.
Below are five ways to creatively repurpose your floral arrangements.
1. Elevate your gift wrapping
Give your gifts a natural touch! Flower shop Gaia Flowers suggests using twine to wrap your gift, placing a bouquet of dried flowers on top of the twine, and tying it off with a secure knot.
2. Make homemade potpourri
To make your homemade potpourri (a mixture of dried petals and leaves from different flowers), world-class florist Darcey Flowers explains that the flowers should be completely dry to avoid moulding. You can also add your favourite essential oils or fragrances to your dried flowers or quickly dry fresh flowers.
For fresh flowers, follow the following steps provided by Darcey Flowers:
- Spread your flower heads and petals on a baking sheet.
- Dry them out in an oven at 93° Celsius for roughly two hours.
- Place the dried flowers in an airtight container with a lid.
- Add two or three drops of essential oils for your ideal scent. Rose, lemon, lavender, and cinnamon are common fragrances for the home.
- Store for six to eight weeks to allow the flowers to absorb the essential oils.
“When your potpourri is ready, you can place it in a decorative bowl in your home or office for a lovely-smelling, decorative accent,” says the flower experts.
3. Spruce up your phone case
A fun and creative way to customise your phone case, Gaia Flowers states, “When your flowers are dry and flat, remove them from the press and place them on your phone case … Keep them in place by using clear resin or clear polyvinyl acetate (PVA) glue. Then, once it’s dry, insert your device and use it as usual.”
4. Create floral resin coasters
This activity using the dried-up flowers will not only birth practicality but it is also a fun way to get the family involved. A handmade botanical gift for your friends or yourself, Gaia Flowers says, “They’ll keep your coffee table stain-free and your living room looking gorgeous.”
5. Make your own body scrub
Add your dried buds and petals to bath salts and mix them with Epsom salts, sea salt, baking soda, and essential oils, shares Darcey Flowers. “It’s an easy way to add a little extra luxury to your bathtime routine.”
