Don’t Waste Your Money on Fresh Flowers—Buy Dried Flowers Instead

Fresh flowers or a new plant can transform a home as easily as the weather. But personally, I find both of them to be a giant pain in the neck. Keeping plants alive is anxiety-inducing for me, and a bouquet that costs more than my dinner is only fleetingly attractive.

Dried flowers, on the other hand, are frozen in time. I’ve had bouquets for years that are as colorful and fragrant as the day I bought them. They don’t have the same vibrancy of fresh flowers but they have a dark beauty that can be alluring in a totally different way. And if you buy (or dry!) them once, they’ll outlast several bouquets of fresh flowers—meaning if you’re a weekly flower buyer, you’re actually saving money by going dry.

I purchased a bouquet of dried flowers at a local farmers market but you can find beautifully arranged dried bouquets from retailers on Etsy or pre-dried lavender at Trader Joe’s. If you’re a DIYer, try air-drying your own arrangement or framing a few pressed sprigs in a floating herbarium.

If flowers aren’t your thing, cut leaves and branches can offer a more rustic look, but are just as convenient and versatile. They seem to stay fresh longer than flowers, and if they’re sturdy enough, they just sort of dry out in the vase they’re in, still looking lovely and organic. Use a few branches out of the backyard as centerpieces for your next dinner party or leave a bundle of eucalyptus by the front door to welcome your guests with the refreshing scent.

However you decide to incorporate dried botanicals into your decor, you will love them for years to come.

You can, of course, dry your own flowers or scavenge for your own branches around your home. But if you’d rather buy than DIY, here are some instant-style favorites:

This bundle of eucalyptus will give your bathroom the spa vibe you’ve always wanted.

Dried doesn’t have to mean dull. The tones in this dried flower wreath—made from air-dried tansy and safflower grown and assembled in Washington state—are vibrant and lasting and perfect for spring and summer.

Prop this gorgeous assortment of flowers on your vanity so you have something lovely to look at while you flat iron your hair or apply your makeup.

Dried lavender can provide your room with a pop of color and a scent that’s totally soothing to sniff right before bed.

A few stalks of pampas grass in a vase can make for a beautiful centerpiece or an eye-catching display on a windowsill.

If your kitchen needs some greenery but doesn’t get enough light for a real plant, fill a pot with this dried boxwood. Your guests won’t know the difference.