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How to Dry Marigold Flowers – 3 Awesome Methods

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Marigolds are a species of beautiful perennial flowers belonging to the genus Tagetes. They have bright yellow, orange, or red flowers with petals shaped in dense clusters over the stem’s head. In many cultures, marigolds play a major role in festival decorations. To learn how to dry marigold flowers keep reading the article.

Dried marigold flower petals have great toning properties. They are used in bath bags, tea, potpourri, bath bombs, facial steams, candles, and various other pieces of decorations. The bright yellow flower petals will bring a pop of color to your home. If you want to learn how to dry marigold flowers, keep following our guide.

How to Dry Marigold Flowers
via Pixabay

How to Dry Marigold Flowers?

The enchanting and vibrant yellow flowers of marigolds bloom during the summer season. Some gardeners like to preserve the blooms for years to be used in dried flower arrangements and other crafting activities.

The marigold flower provides lutein and zeaxanthin. So, you must dry these flowers during the industrial process to prepare these carotenoids. Learn how to dry marigold flowers using our simple and helpful guide.

Method 1: Drying Marigold Flowers by Hanging

It is one of the simplest and easiest methods to dry marigold flowers. Keep following these simple steps to learn how to dry marigold flowers by hanging them.

  • The first step is to take the cuttings of the flowers. Once your marigold flowers are fully bloomed, they are ready to be harvested for drying.
  • Cut the stem of the marigolds with flowers and remove all the extra leaves.
  • Choose only healthy flowers.
  • Take the cuttings in the early morning, just after the dew has dried out.
  • Make sure the flowers are not watered or washed before drying. You can use a soft piece of cloth to clean them gently.
  • If you need the flower for bathing or tea-making purposes, you need your flowers cleaned.
  • Make a bunch of six to eight flowers together by tying them with a rubber band or a piece of twine.
  • Since the stems will shrink after drying, make sure to tie your rubber band tight enough so that the flowers don’t fall.
  • Once the bunches are made, hand them using a twine by any hook or nail.
  • Be sure to hang your flowers at a place with good air circulation, indirect sunlight, and low humidity.
  • Ensure that the location is warm but does not receive any direct sunlight.
  • Now take a 10-inch-long piece of twine and wrap it at the end of the stems and hang them from the hook.
  • Do not keep touching or disturbing the flowers while hanging to dry.
  • In about two to four weeks, your marigold flowers will have dried.
  • Now you can take the flowers from the hook and use them however you want.
  • You can store your flowers or the petals in airtight jars.

Pro Tip: To confirm that your flowers are dry enough to be stored, take off a few petals and crush them. If they easily crumble, then they are ready.

Method 2: Drying Marigold Flowers Using a Dehydrator

Another method to dry your marigold flowers is by using a dehydrator. If you own a dehydrator, it is your easy way. A dehydrator is also quicker than other methods of drying. Follow these simple steps to learn how to dry marigold flowers using a dehydrator.

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  • Take fresh cuttings of healthy marigold flowers and wash them with cold water to get rid of dirt and bugs.
  • After rinsing, pat dries the flowers using paper towels and absorbs as much water as possible.
  • Now lay down your flowers on the dehydrator trays and turn the setting of the dehydrator to herbs. If it is not available, simply turn the temperature between 95 to 115 Fahrenheit.
  • If the weather in your area is humid, increase the temperature to 125 Fahrenheit.
  • If you are drying whole flowers and petals, then use separate trays for both.
  • Check your flowers after about one or two hours. By then, they must be ready.
  • You can check them by crushing a leaf or a petal. If it crumbles, it is ready.
How to Dry Marigold Flowers 2
via Pixabay

Method 3: Drying Marigold Flowers Using an Oven

Not everyone owns a dehydrator, and you necessarily do not need to buy it now to dry your flowers. We will show you how to do without a dehydrator using a common kitchen appliance. Yes! You can use your oven for dehydration. Follow these steps to learn how.

  • This method of drying marigold flowers is very similar to using a dehydrator.
  • After washing and drying your flowers, place them on the baking tray, leaving spaces between them.
  • Place the tray in your preheated oven at about 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Do not raise the temperature too high to avoid burning your flowers crisp.
  • Toss the flowers around every 20 minutes.
  • Take them out after about an hour or two.
  • Your flowers will be ready and all dried up.
  • Crush a petal between your fingers; if it still stays intact or feels soft, then the flowers aren’t ready. Put them back in the oven for some more time until they are completely dried.

Post-Drying Tips for Marigold Flowers

  • The best way to store your dried marigold flowers is to put them in airtight containers.
  • Depending upon the purpose of your usage, you can store them as whole flowers, or you can pluck their petals.
  • If you use it as a spice or topping, then take some petals, crush them nicely and pour them into a spice jar with a perforated lid.
  • The best way to use them is to crumble them before using them. Petals as a whole tend to retain more flavor. Crushing them right before using them will bring out a much stronger flavor.
  • You can also add vinegar or olive oil petals to preserve their essence. It is important to dry them before putting them in any oil or butter to prevent the oil from going rancid.
  • You can use whole flowers with stems to be used in dried flowers arrangements to add a pop of color to your indoors. Using dried flowers is advantageous as they do not wilt or go bad and don’t need to be replaced every other day.
  • Marigold flowers have many culinary as well as crafting, and skincare uses. Get creative with your harvest and use them wherever you want.
  • Sweet marigold is especially used for its herbal properties and is widely used to make tea.
  • Here is a simple video tutorial linked to assist you with how to dry marigold flowers.

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Conclusion

Marigolds are not only beautiful and vibrant flowers to adorn your garden, but they also have many other excellent uses. Dried marigold flowers are most widely used in the culinary and arts and craft worlds. In various dishes and soups, it is used as an alternative to saffron and as a seasoning or herb. You can make a wreath with dried flowers or use the petals to make a nice relaxing cup of tea.

We have taught you how to dry marigold flowers with our three simple methods. Please share how you plan to use your marigold flowers with us in the comments below.

Christine

Wednesday 8th of November 2023

I was drying my marigold flowers in a brown paper bag. Some of my flowers are very wet but not moldy. Can I salvage? And, how?

Hoang Quang

Saturday 11th of November 2023

Hi @Christine,

Yes, you can still salvage your wet marigold flowers.

Here are the steps you can follow:

1. Remove the Petals: You can leave the flowers whole or, if you want to speed up drying, remove the petals.

2. Place the Marigold on a Flat Surface: Place the marigold on a flat surface, such as a sheet of parchment paper. Leave some space between one flower and another.

3. Find a Dry, Warm Place: Place the sheet of parchment paper with the marigold in a dry, warm place not exposed to the sun or light. There must also be good air circulation. You can use a dehumidifier to create the ideal drying environment.

4. Let the Marigold Dry for Several Days: Mix the marigold flowers or petals several times a day to dry them completely. Check that the marigold is well dried before finishing the process. Take a petal and fold it, if it breaks it means that it is well dried.

5. Store the Dried Marigold: Store the dried marigold in a container that keeps the air out as much as possible, such as a glass jar. Keep the container in a cool, dry place.

Remember, the key to drying marigolds is to ensure they are in a dry, warm place with good air circulation.

If the petals are thick and dense or if the conditions are not optimal, the duration can be extended up to 35-40 days. As soon as the marigolds flowers are dry, the petals will be hard and fragile to the touch.