Eucalyptus is one of the prettiest and timeless branches to decorate with. It has a lovely scent and works well in different shaped vases as well as in all seasons.
While I love eucalyptus, it is not available fresh at all times during the year. I’ve previously bought preserved eucalyptus and I love it because I can use it and reuse it all the time. However, I’ve been wanting to try drying them while preserving them instead of having to throw away the fresh stems I usually buy. I’ve tried drying them without preserving them but they end up cracking and cannot really be manipulated.
So, I finally got around to it, and I’m happy it worked well.
This is the recipe to follow.
What you’ll need
- Vegetal glycerin
- Boiled water
- Vase
- Shears
- Hammer or rolling pin
How to dry them:
- Cut the bottom of the stem at a 45 degree angle
- Smash the bottom of the stems with the hammer or rolling pin
- Boil water. You’ll need 2 portions or water to 1 glycerin
- When the water comes to a boil, add the glycerin and stir to dissolve
- Let cool and add the stems to the mix
- Put in a dry and cool place away from direct sunlight
Make sure you check the water and add some more of the mixture if it dries out before the eucalyptus is dry. It will take about 2 weeks for the eucalyptus to dry. The color will change to a darker green and the leaves will remain soft.
Take them out of the water, dry the ends and style them wherever you want.
