How to dry blue thistle flowers?

The blue thistle, also known as sea holly or Eryngium, is a beautiful plant that can be found by the sea in dunes, in the mountains, as well as in the countryside or in a garden. Very graphic, it never fails to impress with its striking blue hues. Easy to cultivate or even find in the wild, it adds a stylish blue touch to dried flower arrangements. Discover all our tips for successfully drying thistle flowers.

When to Harvest Thistles for Drying?

It is best to harvest thistles on dry, sunny days when the flowers are a deep blue
Choose the most beautiful flowers and those with firm stems. A flower with a soft stem will dry less effectively
Consider wearing gloves to avoid getting pricked
Use clean and disinfected pruning shears to cut the thistles
Remove the leaves and any damaged parts
Leave the stem length you desire for your bouquet

harvesting dried flowers, dried eryngium thistle

How to Air-Dry Thistles?

Air-drying is the simplest and most natural method.

Steps:

Tie each thistle or your thistle bouquet with a piece of string or raffia, being careful not to prick yourself.
You can also wrap the flowers in kraft paper or newspaper to protect them from light during drying. The absence of light helps preserve the thistles' colours.
Then, hang the flowers upside down to dry in a dry, dark, and well-ventilated room, such as an attic.
Wait one week to a month for the flowers to dry completely.

How to Dry Thistles Using Silica Gel?

Drying flowers in silica gel has two advantages.
The first is that the plant's original colours are better preserved. This is the best method for maintaining the blue hue of thistles despite drying.
The second advantage is the speed of drying, which takes just a few days.
However, this method is more expensive than natural drying as you need to purchase silica gel.

Steps:

Use an airtight container large enough to hold your thistles. Thistles can grow up to 80 cm tall.
Pour a layer of silica gel at the bottom
Place your thistles on top
Cover with more silica gel
Seal the container tightly
Typically, the flowers take 2 to 3 days to dry completely.
After this period, open the container and check if the flowers are dry
If they are dry, remove them from the silica gel using gloves
If not, leave them to dry for a few more days

drying eryngiums

How to Store Dried Thistle Flowers?

Once your thistles are completely dry, you can spray them with hairspray to protect them.
You can later dust your dried flowers using a hairdryer.
Preferably choose a dry place away from sunlight to prevent the colours from fading too quickly.
Arrange your dried thistle flowers in a vase, basket, or any other container that inspires you to create a beautiful dried flower bouquet.
You can also add other dried flowers, such as white roses, baby’s breath, and lavender, to create a stunning floral arrangement.