Bulbs
Flower Basics
Flower Beds & Specialty Gardens
Flower Garden
Garden Furniture
Garden Gnomes
Garden Seeds
Garden Sheds
Garden Statues
Garden Tools & Supplies
Gardening Basics
Green & Organic
Groundcovers & Vines
Growing Annuals
Growing Basil
Growing Beans
Growing Berries
Growing Blueberries
Growing Cactus
Growing Corn
Growing Cotton
Growing Edibles
Growing Flowers
Growing Garlic
Growing Grapes
Growing Grass
Growing Herbs
Growing Jasmine
Growing Mint
Growing Mushrooms
Orchids
Growing Peanuts
Growing Perennials
Growing Plants
Growing Rosemary
Growing Roses
Growing Strawberries
Growing Sunflowers
Growing Thyme
Growing Tomatoes
Growing Tulips
Growing Vegetables
Herb Basics
Herb Garden
Indoor Growing
Landscaping Basics
Landscaping Patios
Landscaping Plants
Landscaping Shrubs
Landscaping Trees
Landscaping Walks & Pathways
Lawn Basics
Lawn Maintenance
Lawn Mowers
Lawn Ornaments
Lawn Planting
Lawn Tools
Outdoor Growing
Overall Landscape Planning
Pests, Weeds & Problems
Plant Basics
Rock Garden
Rose Garden
Shrubs
Soil
Specialty Gardens
Trees
Vegetable Garden
Yard Maintenance
How to Keep Rose Petals Fresh
How to Keep Rose Petals Fresh. Rose petals are the most attractive and desirable components of the rose plant. Typically round or oval, rose petals are silky in texture, often fragrant and come in an assortment of colors. Associated with romance, pleasure and beauty, roses are used in a variety of ways. Rose petals are decorative and if free of...
Rose petals are the most attractive and desirable components of the rose plant. Typically round or oval, rose petals are silky in texture, often fragrant and come in an assortment of colors. Associated with romance, pleasure and beauty, roses are used in a variety of ways. Rose petals are decorative and if free of pesticides and other chemicals, they are edible too.
Things You'll Need
Paper towels or cloths
Airtight container
Refrigerator
Pluck rose petals from roses that have moved beyond the bud stage and are partially or fully opened. A rose in bloom has fresh petals that will pull away with ease and are less likely to tear.
Remove the petals from rose plants in the morning, before the sun has reached its hottest and highest point. The petals are full of moisture at this time and optimally fresh.
Eliminate moisture from external surfaces of rose petals. Spread the petals out on a paper towel or cloth and lightly pat them with a paper towel or cloth to remove any excess moisture. While the freshest rose petals are full of moisture on the inside, too much moisture on their outsides can compromise their freshness, causing them to become soggy, moldy and discolored.
Store rose petals in any of the following types of containers when they are not in use: a plastic corsage box with a lid, plastic food storage container with a lid, plastic bag, cloth bag or glass jar. Line storage containers with paper towels to absorb excess moisture from the petals.
Keep rose petals in a cool place when not in use. A refrigerator is an ideal location to store rose petals. Make sure the refrigerator is not too cold, which may cause the rose petals to freeze; once they thaw, they will be soggy and discolored. Keep the refrigerator set to about 37 degrees F. or above.
Tips & Warnings
Choose petals that free of blemishes such as spots, holes and tears. Gently shake off any insects.
Decorate baked goods such as cakes and cupcakes with pesticide- and herbicide-free rose petals.
Sprinkle fresh rose petals on a tablecloth for a decorative splash of color when you dine.
