Creative Ways to Reuse Your Flower Bouquets

We’ve all been there– you get a beautiful bouquet, it makes your day, maybe your week– but then the flowers start to wilt. Tossing them feels like a waste, and keeping them as they are just is not practical either. The good news? You don’t need to let them go completely. There are plenty of simple, low-effort ways to repurpose flowers so they stay part of your space or routine a little longer.

Here are some ways to give your bouquet a second life without turning it into a full-time craft project.

1. Dry Them and Frame Them

This is probably the easiest thing to do, and it doesn’t require fancy tools or extra spending. Hang your flowers upside down in a dry, dark spot(like a closet) for a week or two. Once they’re dried, you can either leave them bundled or take them apart.

One option people often try is pressing them in a book, then framing them. You don’t have to create anything too artsy. Just a basic shadow box with a few blooms can look nice. This makes a great piece to hang in your room or gift to someone later.

If you’ve been searching for dried flowers DIY ideas that don’t involve glue guns and glitter, this one’s a solid place to start.

2. Turn Petals Into Scent Jars

Once flowers begin to fade, the petals are usually still soft and have some fragrance. Collect them and toss them into small glass jars with a few drops of essential oil or leftover herbs from your kitchen (like rosemary or lavender, if you’ve got it).

Let it sit closed for a few days. Open it later when your room feels stuffy, or keep it by your desk as a little mood booster. This is one of those flower recycling ideas that doesn’t take much effort but feels oddly satisfying.

Also Read: The Meaning of July Birth Flowers: Larkspur & Water Lily

3. Make DIY Gift Toppers

No need to spend on store-bought bows. Dried flower heads or petals can be tied to gifts with twine or ribbon. You can even write the person’s name on a plain tag and tuck a bloom through the string.

It doesn’t have to be perfect. That slightly “undone” look works fine. This trick works especially well if you’ve got leftover brown paper or old newspaper at home.

4. Add Petals to Bath Time

If you’re the kind of person who occasionally lights a candle and runs a bath, toss some petals in too. Rose petals, marigold, even lavender, yes, from your old bouquet can give your bath a mild aroma and make it feel a little more relaxing.

Just make sure you don’t dump the entire bouquet in. A few petals go a long way. And keep a strainer nearby when you drain the tub– it will save your pipes from clogging.

5. Make a Simple Bookmark

Pressed flowers make great bookmarks. Place them between two sheets of wax paper, iron them lightly to seal, and cut out a rectangle. That’s really it. It may not look like something from an Oxnard flower shop, but it gets the job done. If you’re not into crafting, this is a way to use your bouquet without needing to watch ten DIY videos.

6. Compost Them

If the flowers are far gone and you don’t want to dry, frame, or bottle anything, just compost them. It’s still one of the better ways to repurpose flowers without adding to waste. Many florists in Ventura, California, do this. Even if you live in an apartment, many cities now offer compost drop-offs or services. It’s not exciting, but it’s practical.

While these ideas won’t keep the whole bouquet alive forever, they let you hold onto the good parts a bit longer. Looking to refresh your home with a new bunch? Whether you're in the mood for something bold or subtle, order flower delivery in Ventura from Secret Gardens Florist.