5 Unique ways of air drying herbs and flowers

How to air dry herbs and flowers – learn 5 unique ways of air drying herbs and flowers using everyday items that you already have around!

Hello, friends! Today I have a project for you that is somehow different – I will be showing you my 5 favorite ways of air drying herbs and flowers!

I’m choosing to air dry my plants instead of using a dehydrator or an oven, because I think it’s the most non invasive method that I’ve tried so far. It’s also the easiest and you know me, I like to keep things uncomplicated, as much as possible! :) Let’s not forget that it’s also 100% natural and people have been using this method since the beginning of all time!

I have been occasionally drying herbs and flowers every once in a while, but this year I started to be more opened and more intentional about this whole process. Ok, maybe also a little bit more focused – or slightly obsessed – but hey, it’s a good obsession, so I guess I have an excuse! :)

But what’s not to love, right? Working with herbs and flowers can be quite therapeutic and can give you a good state of mind. It can also be a great way to take our minds off of things, at least for a while. It’s so important to learn how to disconnect from all the surrounding noise and learn how to reconnect with nature and all her beautiful plants!

Some amazingly fragrant mint, sage and some a little bit of thyme are still waiting for me impatiently in the garden. Not to mention that heavenly scented lavender and some gorgeous roses, that I can’t waaaait to dry! Let’s hope we’ll get to enjoy a few more sunny days until the bad weather finally creeps in! :)

I’m so happy to see that my herbal apothecary is steadily growing…and I’m loving every minute of it! :) After drying, I’m storing my plants in my  DIY Apothecary Jars. These beautiful jars are not only super chic, they are soooo very practical! I also use paper bags when storing larger quantities and I adhere the labels directly on the bags.

5 Unique ways of air drying herbs and flowers – Basic principles and prepping

I have to tell you that these 5 methods are totally uncomplicated and unsophisticated! :) I’m using everyday items that everyone (might) already have around and I’m turning them into super effective air dryers for our herbs and flowers.

But first, let me tell you the ONE thing that all these 5 methods have in common: a perfect air circulation! I found this to be the most important thing when it comes to effectively air drying any type of herbs and flowers.

Before actually drying the fresh plants, I’m usually washing them with filtered water. This will remove all the debris or other small inhabitants from your garden (we had a real problem with ants this year). Then I pat them dry with paper towels and I use one of these 5 methods to air dry them. I usually try not to overcrowd the plants while arranging them on my drying surface.

NOTE: If your plants come from trusted sources and you prefer not to wash them, you can totally do that. I prefer not to wash the more delicate plants (flowers in general), like lavender, chamomile or elderflowers, because the water will strip them down of their pollen and they will lose some of their super powers.

When using one of these methods, the herbs and flowers are perfectly dried in a few days – the time really depends on how much water content each plant has.

Beautiful freshly cut herbs and flowers from our garden ♥

5 Unique ways of air drying herbs and flowers – using a bamboo tray (1)

Let’s start with the first method of air drying herbs and flowers – bamboo trays. I actually bought these two trays from Ali Express last year and this year I put them to really good use!  If you were to pay me a visit right now, chances are I will be able to brag about a new batch of herbs or flowers that are in the process of drying, somewhere around the house! :)

Elderflower is not in season right now, but you can dry some next year!

Beautiful elderflower – while drying ♥

These two bamboo trays are really amazing and I haven’t had any problems while using them so far. I’m not sure if it has something to do with the material they are made of or with the way they are made of, but I noticed that the plants are preserving their colors and their fragrance so much better when using them.

This is definitely my preferred method of air drying plants!

Beautiful elderflower – after drying ♥

The bamboo trays are a little bit curved at the bottom and I believe this also helps with the properly flowing of the air, because they are not creating a flat surface on the table.

They can also be used to store small objects you have around and can be easily turned into beautiful decorative pieces for your home! Just love when that happens! :)

Beautiful sage – while drying ♥

Beautiful dandelion – after drying ♥

You can also use these to dry citrus peels too! If you can find organic oranges, lemons or grapefruits where you live, air dry the peels for further use, they make the perfect addition to your teas, cakes and even your meals!

Beautiful orange peel – while drying ♥

Beautiful roses – while and after drying ♥

I also noticed that the drying process is somehow sped up when using these trays, but not in an aggressive way. I feel that the bamboo is somehow gentle with the drying plants while preserving their beauty. And their sensational fragrance!

I usually prefer to dry (and then store) one specific plant at a time, using one (or all) of these methods. I’m just checking which one of my air drying recipient is free … and I just go for it! :)

5 Unique ways of air drying herbs and flowers – using an enamel colander (2)

The next on my list – an enamel colander! This method follows basically the same principles as the bamboo tray method mentioned before – it has a good air flow and a curved bottom!

You can use any colanders that you have around, I just love this white beautiful one from Ikea! You can find a few similar choices online too >>> white enamel/ metal colanders (afflink)

And speaking of beautiful enamel colanders, how chic is this next one?! It has such a gorgeous design and can be used as a decorative piece on its own! It’s also perfect for storing fresh fruits or serving bread … in a stylish way! :)

I became quite obsessed with this flat colander when I first saw it online, but I couldn’t find it anywhere in my country … so I just ordered it online from France! :) You know I don’t usually like spending too much money on home decor items because I prefer to DIY everything, but this one I just had to have! :) It’s made by a company called Zangra – they also sell some très chic porcelain plates!

I love how this flat colander is just perfect for storing fruits or bread, air drying plants, while perfectly complementing your home decor! I found a similar one here for you >>> flat white colander, just in case you need one in your life too! :)

5 Unique ways of air drying herbs and flowers – using a salad spinner (3)

For my next method of air drying herbs and flowers I’m using … a salad spinner! :) A salad spinner is always great to have around, especially if you regularly include salads in your meals. We eat tons of salads and this ‘tool’ is a life changer! I didn’t even know salad spinners are a thing until a couple of years ago when I watched one of Jamie Oliver’s  recipes on how to make superb salads.

And as it turns out, a salad spinner is also perfect for air drying herbs and flowers!

Beautiful rose petals – while drying ♥

5 Unique ways of air drying herbs and flowers – using a dehydrator tray (4)

A dehydrator tray can also be a viable option when it comes to air drying. So when you’re not using your dehydrator to make sun-dried tomatoes with aromatic herbs or sun-dried tomato chips, use the trays to air dry herbs and flowers instead! :)

You can use one tray or stack a few of them to air dry your favorite herbs and flowers.

Beautiful rose petals – while drying ♥

Beautiful rose petals – after drying ♥

Can you smell the roses? :)

5 Ways to air dry herbs and flowers – using a bamboo steamer (5)

My 5th way of air drying herbs and flowers is … a bamboo steamer! If you love trying new Asian recipes every once in a while, chances are you already have a steamer in your kitchen! And if you don’t have one, just put it on your wish list! :)  >>> Bamboo steamer

The air flow is great with this one too and you can stack the bamboo baskets if you want to air dry several plants at once.

Bamboo steamers come equipped with a lid, which is just great for our purpose here – I noticed that flower petals are preserving their color even better when they are covered!

But if you have many plants that you need to air dry, you can turn the lid upside down and just stack it on top! Use it as a basket on its own and fill it with your favorite … rose petals from your garden! :)

I really love observing plants while drying, it’s so amazing how they transform in just a matter of days! After drying you can store and keep the dried plants for years!

Bamboo trays (Amazon, similar) | Bamboo trays (Ali Express, the ones I have)
white enamel colander | flat enamel colander
dehydrator trays | bamboo steamer

Hope you’ll find my 5 Unique ways of air drying herbs and flowers useful!  :) As you can see, every one of these methods is basically involving some sort of a tray, a basket or a colander that ensures that perfect air flow that we need! So a good air circulation is THE KEY when it comes to air drying any type of herbs and flowers!

I’m always looking for new ways to improve my air drying skills (if such thing even exists), so I’m really curious if you have other items around your home that can be used as air dryers! :)

Don’t forget to smile,
Diana

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