Air drying: 

Air drying flowers is one of the easiest methods of preservation and gives plants a crisp look that lasts for years. Air drying flowers make a fabulous decoration by themselves, but when they are dry, they make more beautiful and exotic flower arrangements. This is commonly referred to as the “hang and dry” method. It is the oldest and easiest drying technique. No special equipment is needed. The stems of flowers and their foliage are tied and hung upside down. The rooms should be warm, dark and dry with good air circulation. The flowers are hanged upside down so that the stem remains straight. If they are hanged with right side up, they would bend over and the result will be dried flowers with distorted stems. 

Water drying: 

In water drying the leaves are stripped off and the flower stems placed in five centimeters of water, then; placed in a warm place, out of direct sunlight. The water is absorbed and evaporates as the flower dries. The best way to dry hydrangea flowers is by water drying. 

Press drying: 

One of the most popular methods for drying flowers is to put them under pressure, to remove the moisture out while leaving the colour of the flowers and structure intact. There are several ways to apply pressure to flowers. The easiest method is placing them in heavy books and allow for drying. Flower presses can also be used. Unglazed paper, such as newsprint, is best for pressing. Pressed flowers are especially suitable for flower pictures, as well as decoration on note paper, place cards and many other items. 

Drying by embedding in desiccants: 

A desiccant is simply a substance with a high affinity for water which can be used as a drying agent. Embedding the flowers in a granular, desiccating material is probably the most commonly used method and many consider it the best all around method. Several materials are used as drying agents. Most well known is silica gel and borax but clean dry sand can also be used. Usually an airtight container is used; the flower heads are placed in the drying mixture face up, and very carefully covered with the mixture. The container must be kept closed during the drying process. After 4-14 days, depending on the thickness of the flower, the flower will be dry. 

Glycerin drying: 

In this method moisture in a flower or foliage is replaced with glycerin and water. The flower is preserved and not dried. Dried materials (whole bunches or single leaves) retain their natural shape and flexibility. They last indefinitely and can be dusted or even wiped with a damp cloth without risk owing to the leathery texture of leaves. 

Microwave oven Drying: 

Microwave drying is quick and relatively simple. It takes only a few minutes and provides dried flowers that look fresher and more colourful than obtained by other methods. Flowers with thick petals like magnolia are not suitable for drying in microwave. Since flowers vary in moisture content, texture and density, care should be taken to use the same sized flowers from one species at a time. It has been found that many flowers held almost true to life colour and form using this process. Brightly coloured flowers are best to dry. Flowers such as lilies, roses, violets, zinnias, and dahlias work well with this process. 

Freeze drying: 

Freeze drying (technically known as “lyophilization”) is the process of lowering the temperature of an object and then using a vacuum to extract all the moisture from the item. It is a state-of-the-art technique and the most effective method for flower preservation today. It is an innovative vacuum process that takes approximately four weeks depending on the flower. Freeze dried flowers go through a process in which water is removed as vapour directly from ice, without passing through the liquid state. This process is called sublimation, and requires reduced pressure to occur. All other drying methods use evaporation. In other words, water is removed as vapour from liquid water with heated air. The freeze drying machine drops the temperature to a -20 degrees F then it slowly returns the freeze dried flowers to room temperature over a four week period. This slow preservation process allows the freeze dried flowers to retain their original form, while the colors become enriched