Give Your Spring Blooms as Much Life as Possible—Cover Them in Beeswax

‘Tis the season for a fun and floral DIY: If you’re looking to create a gorgeous centerpiece that you can display for weeks, you need nothing more than a few cut flowers of your choice and a little beeswax. This method of preserving flowers ensures they last longer than in a typical vase, and that the blooms you pick stay full and open without losing any petals or shriveling up.

Here’s everything you need to know to try this trending technique.

How to Preserve Flowers with Beeswax

The hack itself is simple—just melt some beeswax into a bowl or jar, grab a single flower of your choice, and dip it straight in until it’s fully coated. Hold it or place it on a stand while the beeswax dries, and you’ll soon have a vase full of beautifully-preserved flowers.

Instagram creator Franziska Shelton (@my_seasonal_treasury) demonstrated with pretty yellow daffodils: She preserved her flowers when they were at their fullest and most thriving to keep them at that stage for weeks to come.

You can use any flower for a beeswax display, but be sure to choose full flowers with open petals. Flowers that don’t have too many crevices are also ideal, since this makes it easier for the beeswax to fully cover, keeping them fresh for longer.

This hack is a clever way to use up leftover beeswax you might have from candles or wax melts. When it comes to preserving flowers, beeswax is a natural alternative to resin—not only is it safer to work with, as it doesn’t release the harsh fumes resin does, but it’s more sustainable and affordable. “Beeswax smells much better as well,” Shelton added in a comment on her original Instagram post.

Be sure to dip as much of the flower that you want to preserve into the beeswax. If you’re creating an arrangement in a vase, the stems need to be covered, too (and don’t forget the ends!). If you’re just looking to capture the blooms themselves, then dip only the blossom, cut off the stem, and seal the base with beeswax.

Keep in mind that this hack will keep your flowers looking lively for a long time, often up to several weeks when done properly—but they won’t last forever. Eventually, your blooms will start to mold inside the beeswax, indicating it’s time to throw them out. 

How to Make Your Flowers Last Even Longer

To get the most out of your bouquet, try drying the flowers before preserving them in beeswax. This helps them last longer, since fully dried flowers won’t mold—and the beeswax will make your delicate dried flowers stronger and more durable. Plus, it can help to protect the color, so they stay brighter for longer.

You can dry flowers by hanging them upside down in a dry spot, or press them before dunking them in beeswax. Just keep in mind that the more complex the flower you’re dipping, the harder it will be to ensure that every petal is fully covered. Also be careful when working with delicate flowers—like tulips—as they could lose their petals when dipped in the wax.