Jasmine Flower Preservation: 7 Methods

Jasmine flowers are gorgeous with their delicate petals and refreshing and exotic aroma. Once you pluck those beautiful flowers, preserving their freshness and beauty is imperative. You can prolong the life of your jasmine flowers and enjoy their delightfulness for an extended period in several different ways. We will share helpful techniques for preserving both fresh and dried jasmine flowers through which you can keep them fragrant and vibrant for as long as possible. Whether you have received a bouquet from a loved one or need to save dried flowers to prepare teas or essential oils, this article has a solution about jasmine flower preservation. So let’s get started!

Fresh Jasmine Flower Preservation

Whether you have plucked fresh chameli flowers from your garden or received them as a gift from someone special, you would want to hold onto them for as long as possible. These simple and effective preservation methods allow you to keep the freshness and vibrancy of your jasmine flowers for up to thirty (30) days.

Keep Them in a Vase

Handle your flowers gently and with care to maximize their freshness and longevity. Moisture in the leaves or foliage contributes to the decaying of the flowers. Remove them carefully before putting your flowers in a vase. Make sure the vase is clean and has about three to four inches of water in the bottom. Cut the stems using sharp scissors or a knife at a forty-five-degree angle. Cutting the stems allows better water absorption and keeps the flowers hydrated for longer.

Keeping the water clean is essential to maintain the freshness of the flowers. Change the water everyday and place the vase in a cool place away from sunlight. You can add floral preservatives to the water to restrict bacterial growth and preserve the natural freshness. Hydrate the flowers by spraying water everyday to provide the petals and foliage with the necessary mist.

Tip: keep the vase away from ripening fruits like tomatoes, bananas, etc., as being close to them can expedite the decaying of flowers.

Refrigerate in an Airtight Container

If you are plucking fresh flowers from your own garden, harvest them early in the morning for best results. Pluck individual flowers if you want to preserve them fresh. The flowers are at their peak freshness in the early morning- picking them at their finest ensures they retain their bloom for longer periods when you preserve them. Another way to keep your jasmine flowers fresh for up to a month is by refrigerating them in an airtight container. Layer the bottom of the container with old newspapers. Gently put the delicate flower buds in the container, then cover the container’s surface with another newspaper layer.

Close the lid tightly and trim the paper around the edges. Refrigerate again. Remember to take the flowers out everyday and clean the moisture accumulated in the container’s cover. Also, change the newspaper as it will be wet. Put the container back in the fridge, repeat the process daily. This technique will keep your flowers fresh and fragrant for up to a month.

How to Preserve Dried Jasmine Flowers

Dried jasmine flowers last longer than fresh flowers. They are easy to preserve, and you can use them in cosmetics, perfumes, food, etc. You can also create numerous attractive arts and crafts projects using dried jasmine flowers. You can remove the moisture and preserve jasmine flowers in a number of ways. Here are all the methods of drying and saving jasmine flowers.

Air Dry the Flowers 

Preserving flowers in different forms becomes easier when you dry them. Tying flowers with a string and hanging them upside down is simple and hassle-free. It ensures that your blooms maintain their beauty for longer. Ensure the area where you hang them is cool, dry, and well-ventilated. While the process may take longer, it is highly effective in preserving flowers’ natural shape and fragrance.

Make a bunch of flowers by tying them together when the buds are fully open. Tie them loose but not too loose, as they will shrink as they dry. This slower drying method ensures the flowers maintain their beauty and aroma for longer, making it well worth the wait. The air takes the moisture away from the flowers and dehydrates them gradually.

Remember that the process can be slightly messy as flowers may shed petals and catch mold, but you get to preserve the stems with the flowers. Your flowers will be dry in a couple of weeks. Spritz with hair spray and keep them however you like.

Use Silica Gel

Silica gel is excellent for absorbing moisture quickly. You can apply this technique if you do not want to wait for the flowers to air dry. Also, silica gel crystals ensure your flowers stay true to form and retain their original color. Take a large plastic bowl and create a bed of silica crystals in the bottom. The bowl has to be large enough so the flowers do not touch each other. Cut the stems off your flowers, remove the leaves, and put them in the bowl face up. Pour more silica crystals over the flowers and bury them in the sand. 

Cover the bowl and leave it for four to five days in a cool, dry place. Gently remove the flowers from the silica gel when dry. Eliminate the excess sand residue with a paintbrush.

You can expedite this process by drying your flowers in a microwave. The method remains the same- all you need to do is use a microwave-safe bowl and place it in the microwave with a glass of water. Do not cover the bowl and heat for about two to three minutes. The color and texture of the flowers dried with silica gel is perfect for floral arrangements, jewelry, and many other craft projects. You can also frame the dried flowers to cherish the memory forever.

Notes:

• Do not use the container used for drying and preserving flowers with silica gel for food preparation. 
• Wear a mask and gloves when working with silica gel. Although it is non-toxic, you might not want to inhale the fine dust particles. 
• Give close attention to the flowers when drying them with this technique. Check them everyday to ensure you do not over-dry them. 
• You can save the silica gel and use it later for another project. It changes color when it is no longer usable. Throw it away when it turns pink.

Press the Flowers

Pressing flowers with something heavy is another way of preserving their beauty. It is the simplest method that doesn’t require any effort and trickiness. However, it takes considerably longer than other preservation techniques. You may have to wait over a month for the flower to dry out fully.

For this method to work, you will have to remove the stems. Sandwich the flower between two sheets of absorbent paper, like wax or parchment paper, and place it carefully inside a heavy book. The absorbent sheets will suck the moisture from the flowers, drying them gradually. The dried flower will have impressive appearance and last indefinitely. You can use it in craft projects or make herbal tea or potpourri.

Preserve in Glycerin

You can extend your flowers’ life by dipping them in a glycerin solution. Dissolve glycerin in boiling water- the ratio is one part glycerin with two parts water. Cut the stems with a sharp knife or scissors and place the flowers in the solution when cool. The glycerin may take a few days or weeks to replace the water in the flowers. You will get long-lasting, gorgeous-looking preserved jasmine flowers by following this method.

Resin Preservation

Resin art is a popular way of preserving flowers among crafters. It adds a whole new classy look to the flowers and saves them in a unique way. You can use both dried and fresh flowers- depending on how you want to preserve them. If you like to use dry flowers, use any drying method mentioned-above. Begin by trimming the stems off your flowers, then mix clear epoxy resin with the hardener.

Combine them well with a mixing stick until the mixture looks clear. Transfer the solution to a silicon mold and place the flowers in the mold. Arrange them however you prefer using wooden sticks. Firmly insert them in the center of the flowers to place them neatly. Pour the solution over the flowers, then remove the wooden sticks carefully.

Create a layer of the resin solution over the flowers, then remove the wooden sticks carefully. Let it cure for twelve hours, then repeat the process four times until you bury all the flowers in resin. Curing three different layers will take almost forty-eight hours altogether. Remove the mold when the resin casting is dry. Spray some alcohol on the sides of the mold to de-mold easily. Note: wear protective gloves and mask, and work in a well-ventilated area to protect yourself from chemicals.

Take Away

When it comes to preserving jasmine flowers, every method yields different results. However, it ultimately boils down to your personal preference. Choose a suitable method if you have a specific look and form you want your jasmine flowers to have. You can enjoy the beauty and fragrance of your flowers for a long time. Jasmine flowers have several uses- once you preserve them, you can create perfumes, oils, infused water, tea, and more. Also, if the flowers hold special significance and memorable moments, you will be able to cherish them for many years to come.