How to Dry Kangaroo Paws

Last Updated: October 18, 2019

Kangaroo paws are plants in the family Haemodoraceae, native to south-western Western Australia (WA). They are lovely flowers that can be made to last a great deal longer for home display by drying them. Here is how to dry them

Steps

1
Select the blooms you'd like to keep. Choose ones that are unblemished and in their prime. They are best picked when they have just started to come out in bloom.
2
Pick the blooms on a dry and sunny day. The best time for picking them is the late afternoon before it gets damp in the evening, following a full day's sunshine.
3
Tie the blooms together gently onto a coat hanger. Hang them upside down when tying.
4
Drape a sheet of tissue paper over the hanger and the blooms.
5
Hang up in a dry and dark place. Make sure that there is plenty of ventilation.
- The darkness is important to help retain the original colour of the bloom.
6
Check now and then. The flowers are dried completely when they feel crisp to the touch.
7
Display as needed.

Community Q&A

Question

Can I use dried kangaroo paws as a decoration on a hat?

Community Answer

If you want to add dried kangaroo paws to your hat, you certainly can.