How to Preserve a Corsage

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Three Methods:Air-Drying Your CorsageDrying Your Flowers with Silica GelDisplaying Preserved CorsagesCommunity Q&A

A corsage worn during prom, a wedding, or another special event can be turned into a beautiful keepsake if you preserve it properly. You can choose between many different preservation methods depending on how long you want the process to take and what you want the flowers to look like when you’re done.

If you take a few steps to preserve and display your corsage, you can create a lasting reminder of your special night.

1. 1 Make sure the flowers and other corsage elements are tightly fastened together. The stems will shrink slightly as the flowers dry, so if one or more flowers in the corsage seem loose, fasten them together with a rubber band, twine, or ribbon. Don’t tie them so tightly that the stems bend, however – if bound too tightly, the flowers won’t fully dry underneath the bindings.^[1]
   • Air drying works best on freshly bloomed flowers, so start the drying process as soon as possible.
2. 2 Hang the corsage upside down. Fasten it to a hook or hanger, and hang in a cool, dry place with good circulation. It’s best to keep the corsage out of direct sunlight as it dries, in order to minimize fading.^[2]
3. 3 Leave the corsage for 2-4 weeks, until fully dry. Check in on your corsage regularly over the next few weeks to make sure it’s drying. Once all the petals and leaves seem completely dry, carefully remove the corsage.^[3]
4. 4 Spray your corsage with hairspray. Air drying can leave flowers a little bit brittle and prone to crumbling, but a coat of hairspray can help protect them. Use an aerosol can, rather than one with a spray pump, in order to spray more evenly.
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1. 1 Find or purchase an air-tight container and silica gel. Silica gel is a desiccant which will wick moisture out of your corsage, helping the flowers dry quickly and thoroughly while maintaining their shape. It can be purchased online, or at a local craft supply store or florist shop.
   • Silica gel can be pricey, but it tends to produce better results than other desiccants and can be reused several times, until it turns pink.^[5]
   • If you’re in search of a cheaper alternative, fine sand, cat litter, or a mixture of one part borax to two parts cornmeal all absorb moisture well and can be used in place of silica gel.^[6]
2. 2 Make sure your flowers are well-hydrated, but dry on the surface. If your flowers have already started to wilt, rehydrate them by recutting the stems at an angle and setting the corsage in a container of water for…

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