How to Dry Rose Flowers & Petals for Tea – Easy DIY

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How to dry roses for tea in an easy way that you can do today! Dry flowers and petals for homemade tea and other DIYs.

How to Dry Rose Flowers & Petals for tea

We have the most gorgeous & abundant queen of flowers growing right outside our front door. This time of year was particularly abundant for beautiful rose flowers, and so I harvested as many of them as possible. While I make many different things with rose flowers and rose petals, this is one of my favorite ways. Dried rose flower petals not only look beautiful, but they make an amazing addition to a cup of herbal tea all winter long. This is a simple DIY suitable to anyone, even kids (with a little adult help) and complete beginners alike. 

someone picking up one of the roses

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Super simple: Making dried petals for tea is super simple. I will show you the easiest, best way for air drying.
  • Money saving: If you have access to roses from an unpolluted, and pesticide-free area, this DIY is a great way to save money on dried rose petals 
  • Versatile: While this recipe is specifically for rose petal tea, you can use the petals dried in this way for many other DIYs and decorative purposes 
  • Health Benefits: Rose petal tea has been used for various medicinal purposes. It is rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds, protecting cells and reducing inflammation. It aids digestion, promotes hydration, supports detoxification, and enhances mood. Additionally, it improves skin health, alleviates menstrual cramps

What You’ll Need

  • fresh cut roses from an area that is free of pollutants (cars, etc) and pesticide-free

Tools


roses in the basket

Instructions

  1. Cut the Roses: Using protective gloves (or just being mindful of the thorns) and garden shears, cut your rose flowers. The amount will depend on how many dried rose petals you want to make.
  2. Carefully pull away the petals from the central shoot. 
  3. Spread in an even layer on a cookie sheet or large basket. 
  4. Leave out to air dry in a warm, dry place, preferably out of direct sunlight.
  5. Drying time will depend on your specific conditions, but can range anywhere from one day, up to a week.
  6. Once the drying process is complete, and left with fully dried roses (petals will be crisp, without any remaining moisture, you can transfer them to an airtight container, such as a large glass jar. 
  7. When you’re ready to make a cup of tea, simply add a few dried rose petals to your herbal tea and steep in hot water for up to 10 minutes. 

roses

FAQ

Organic or untreated roses are best to avoid consuming pesticides or chemicals. Varieties like Rosa damascena, Rosa centifolia, and Rosa gallica are commonly used.

Common methods include air drying, oven drying, and using a dehydrator. Each method has its own steps and time requirements.

Yes, spread the petals on a baking sheet and place them in an oven set to the lowest heat setting (usually around 95-100°F or 35-40°C) for 1-2 hours, checking regularly to prevent burning.

Arrange the petals in a single layer on the dehydrator trays and set the dehydrator to a low temperature (around 95-115°F or 35-46°C). Dry for 2-4 hours or until the petals are crisp.

The petals should be crisp and crumble easily when touched. There should be no remaining moisture.

Store the dried petals in an airtight container in a cool, dark place to preserve their vibrant colors, flavor, and aroma.

When stored properly, dried rose petals can last up to a year, although their flavor and aroma may diminish over time.

Yes, once dried, the petals are ready to be used for tea. Simply steep them in hot water for 5-10 minutes.

Ensure the roses are free from pesticides and chemicals. Always use roses that are safe for consumption and sourced from a reputable supplier.

Absolutely, dried rose petals can be mixed with other herbs like chamomile, lavender, or mint to create unique and flavorful tea blends.

Rose petal tea offers various health benefits including antioxidant properties, anti-inflammatory effects, improved digestion, and mood enhancement.


dry roses in a jar

Tips

  1. You can also dry whole rose blooms, without pulling the rose petals off, if they are petite enough. Simply cut the flower heads off the bush, and lay them out flat on your cookie sheet or basket. They will require longer drying time, and are more prone to mold as a result. Make sure to turn them over every 12 hours or so, and ensure sufficient air circulation.    
  2. Harvest your roses mid-morning, when they are at they contain the most fragrance and the essential oil hasn’t evaporated with the sun yet. 
  3. Make sure your roses are in full bloom before harvesting.
  4. Ensure petals are completely dry before storing to prevent mold. They should crumble easily when touched.
  5. Mix dried rose petals with other herbs like lavender or chamomile for unique tea blends.
  6. For best results with air drying, use hanging air dryers. 

Storage

  • Airtight Containers: Place dried rose petals in clean, airtight glass jars or containers. Ensure there is no moisture inside the container before sealing.
  • Cool, Dark Place: Store containers of dried rose petals in a cool, dark cupboard or pantry away from direct sunlight and heat, which can degrade their color and flavor.
  • Vacuum-Sealed Bags: Use vacuum-sealed bags or food saver bags to remove excess air and seal in freshness. This method helps preserve the petals for a longer period.
  • Silica Gel Packs: Include silica gel packs or moisture absorbers in the storage containers to prevent any residual moisture from affecting the dried petals.
  • Freezer Storage: For longer-term storage, especially if you live in a humid environment, store dried rose petals in the freezer in airtight containers or vacuum-sealed bags. This helps maintain their color and aroma.
  • Herb Jars with Tight Lids: Use herb jars with tight lids to store smaller quantities of dried rose petals. These jars typically have a good seal to keep air and moisture out.
  • Labeling: Label each storage container with the date of storage and the type of rose petals. This helps you keep track of freshness and variety.
  • Avoiding Moisture: Keep dried rose petals away from moisture sources such as sinks, stoves, or dishwashers. Moisture can cause them to clump together and degrade.
  • Fridge Storage: If storing in a fridge, ensure the container is tightly sealed to prevent exposure to moisture and strong odors from other foods.
  • Dark Colored Containers: Opt for dark-colored glass or opaque containers to shield the dried rose petals from light, which can fade their color and diminish their aroma over time.

dry roses in a jar

How to Dry Rose Flowers & Petals for Tea - Easy DIY

How to dry roses for tea in an easy way that you can do today! Dry flowers and petals for homemade tea and other DIYs.

Materials

  • fresh cut roses from an area that is free of pollutants (cars, etc) and pesticide-free

Tools

  • garden shears
  • protective gloves
  • cookie sheet/ wide basket

Instructions

  1. Cut the Roses: Using protective gloves (or just being mindful of the thorns) and garden shears, cut your rose flowers. The amount will depend on how many dried rose petals you want to make.
  2. Carefully pull away the petals from the central shoot. 
  3. Spread in an even layer on a cookie sheet or large basket. 
  4. Leave out to air dry in a warm, dry place, preferably out of direct sunlight.
  5. Drying time will depend on your specific conditions, but can range anywhere from one day, up to a week.
  6. Once the drying process is complete, and left with fully dried roses (petals will be crisp, without any remaining moisture, you can transfer them to an airtight container, such as a large glass jar. 
  7. When you're ready to make a cup of tea, simply add a few dried rose petals to your herbal tea and steep in hot water for up to 10 minutes. 

Notes

Tips

  • You can also dry whole rose blooms, without pulling the rose petals off, if they are petite enough. Simply cut the flower heads off the bush, and lay them out flat on your cookie sheet or basket. They will require longer drying time, and are more prone to mold as a result. Make sure to turn them over every 12 hours or so, and ensure sufficient air circulation.    
  • Harvest your roses mid-morning, when they are at they contain the most fragrance and the essential oil hasn't evaporated with the sun yet. 
  • Make sure your roses are in full bloom before harvesting.
  • Ensure petals are completely dry before storing to prevent mold. They should crumble easily when touched.
  • Mix dried rose petals with other herbs like lavender or chamomile for unique tea blends.
  • For best results with air drying, use hanging air dryers. 

Storage

  • Airtight Containers: Place dried rose petals in clean, airtight glass jars or containers. Ensure there is no moisture inside the container before sealing.
  • Cool, Dark Place: Store containers of dried rose petals in a cool, dark cupboard or pantry away from direct sunlight and heat, which can degrade their color and flavor.
  • Vacuum-Sealed Bags: Use vacuum-sealed bags or food saver bags to remove excess air and seal in freshness. This method helps preserve the petals for a longer period.
  • Silica Gel Packs: Include silica gel packs or moisture absorbers in the storage containers to prevent any residual moisture from affecting the dried petals.
  • Freezer Storage: For longer-term storage, especially if you live in a humid environment, store dried rose petals in the freezer in airtight containers or vacuum-sealed bags. This helps maintain their color and aroma.
  • Herb Jars with Tight Lids: Use herb jars with tight lids to store smaller quantities of dried rose petals. These jars typically have a good seal to keep air and moisture out.
  • Labeling: Label each storage container with the date of storage and the type of rose petals. This helps you keep track of freshness and variety.
  • Avoiding Moisture: Keep dried rose petals away from moisture sources such as sinks, stoves, or dishwashers. Moisture can cause them to clump together and degrade.
  • Fridge Storage: If storing in a fridge, ensure the container is tightly sealed to prevent exposure to moisture and strong odors from other foods.
  • Dark Colored Containers: Opt for dark-colored glass or opaque containers to shield the dried rose petals from light, which can fade their color and diminish their aroma over time.

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