Create beautiful, dried lavender and wildflower bundles using natural twine and a simple decorative knot.
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There is something magical about gathering flowers, tying them into a bundle, and hanging them up to dry.
Drying flowers is one of those simple activities that makes me feel more connected to nature. It also allows me to preserve a small piece of each season and use it throughout my home.
My most recent bundle was made with lavender. Not only did it make the room smell amazing while it dried, but it also added the prettiest natural, boho touch to my space.
I love the slightly wild, earthy feeling of hanging dried flowers. They fit perfectly into a boho, cottagecore, naturalist, or subtly witchy home aesthetic. They also remind me of summer festivals, flower fields, herb gardens, and quiet afternoons spent creating something beautiful by hand.
To secure my flower bundles, I use natural twine and a gathering knot. The gathering knot looks decorative, keeps the stems together, and can be used to create a loop for hanging the flowers while they dry.
My Dried Lavender and Flower Bundles
My latest lavender bundle, tied with natural twine and hung upside down to dry.
Dried flowers add a beautiful natural and boho-inspired touch to any space.
Supplies You Will Need
You only need a few simple supplies to begin drying your own flowers:
- Fresh lavender, wildflowers, herbs, or garden flowers
- Natural jute twine
- Scissors
- A hook, nail, drying rack, peg rail, branch, or wooden beam
- Optional ribbon, beads, charms, or a decorative gift tag
I like using natural twine because it complements the rustic appearance of the flowers and holds the stems securely.
I used this natural twine from Amazon because it matches the rustic look of the dried flowers and is sturdy enough to keep the stems securely bundled while also being costly.
Choosing Flowers to Dry
Many different flowers and herbs can be preserved through air drying. Lavender is one of my favorites because it keeps its beautiful shape, muted purple coloring, and natural fragrance.
Other flowers and plants that may work well include:
- Roses
- Baby’s breath
- Yarrow
- Statice
- Celosia
- Strawflowers
- Eucalyptus
- Chamomile
- Sage
- Rosemary
- Wheat
- Decorative grasses
- Wildflowers
Try to choose flowers that are relatively fresh and free from moisture, damage, or decay. Flowers that are already beginning to wilt may not hold their shape as well during the drying process.
It is also best to collect outdoor flowers after the morning dew has dried. Avoid gathering them immediately after rainfall, since excess moisture can make drying more difficult.
When collecting wildflowers, make sure you have permission to gather them and that they are not protected or endangered plants.
Prepare Your Flowers
Before tying your bundle, gently inspect each flower.
Remove any damaged petals, wilted flowers, or discolored leaves. Strip away most of the leaves from the lower portion of each stem. This creates a cleaner bundle and prevents extra leaves from trapping moisture.
Line up the bottoms of the stems and arrange the flowers until you like the shape of the bundle.
You can create a uniform bouquet or embrace a more natural, untamed look by mixing flowers, herbs, wheat, and decorative grasses at different heights.
Try not to make the bundle too large. Smaller bundles usually dry more evenly because air can circulate between the stems.
How to Tie a Gathering Knot
A gathering knot is both functional and decorative. It creates a neat wrapped section around the flower stems while hiding the loose ends of the twine beneath the knot.
It is also a wonderful knot to know for macramé, plant hangers, tassels, and other boho-inspired craft projects.
Gathering Knot
Follow this gathering-knot diagram to create a secure and decorative wrap around your flower stems.
Gathering Knot Instructions
- Cut a long piece of twine. Leave enough length to wrap around the bundle several times and create a loop for hanging.
- Make a small loop near one end of the twine.
- Place the loop vertically against the flower stems. The closed part of the loop should point downward, while the short loose end extends above the area you plan to wrap.
- Hold the loop in place with your fingers.
- Take the longer working end of the twine and begin wrapping it tightly around the flower stems, covering the loop as you work downward.
- Continue wrapping the twine several times. Keep each wrap close to the previous one so the finished knot looks neat and secure.
- Pass the working end of the twine through the loop at the bottom.
- Pull gently on the loose end at the top of the knot. This will draw the bottom loop and working end underneath the wrapped section.
- Stop pulling once the loop and loose end are hidden in the center of the knot.
- Trim away any excess twine.
Leave enough twine at the top to create a hanging loop, or tie the finished bundle directly onto a hook, peg, branch, or drying rack.
As flowers dry, their stems can shrink. Check your bundle occasionally to make sure the knot is still holding everything securely.
How to Hang Flowers for Drying
Once your flowers are bundled, hang them upside down in a dry area with good airflow.
Choose a location that is:
- Away from direct sunlight
- Protected from excessive moisture
- Well ventilated
- Free from frequent disturbance
- Dark or softly lit when possible
Direct sunlight can cause the flowers to fade more quickly. A darker drying area may help preserve more of their natural color.
Depending on the type of flower, the size of the bundle, and the humidity in your home, the drying process may take approximately two to four weeks.
The flowers are usually ready when the stems feel dry and firm and the petals have a papery texture.
Avoid placing the bundles in a humid bathroom, damp basement, or enclosed area without airflow.
How to Style Dried Flower Bundles
Once your flowers have completely dried, you can leave them bundled or use them in other projects.
Here are a few of my favorite ways to display and use dried flowers:
Hang Them from a Branch
Attach several small flower bundles to a natural tree branch using twine. Hang the branch on the wall to create an earthy, boho-inspired display.
Create a Wooden Peg-Rail Display
Hang different flowers, herbs, small baskets, or handmade decorations from a wooden peg rail. This creates a beautiful cottagecore or naturalist-style wall.
Place Them in Amber Bottles
Separate the dried flowers and arrange them inside amber glass bottles, vintage jars, pottery, or small bud vases.
Add Them to Seasonal Displays
Lavender, wheat, grasses, and warm-colored flowers would look beautiful in a Cozy Harvest display alongside pumpkins, candles, crochet pieces, and natural wood accents.
Decorate Gifts
Tie a small sprig of dried lavender or wildflowers onto a wrapped gift. It is a simple way to make the package feel thoughtful and handmade.
Use Them in Craft Projects
Dried flowers can be incorporated into wreaths, garlands, ornaments, bookmarks, framed artwork, candles, resin crafts, and handmade cards.
Create Crochet Product Photos
Dried flowers also make beautiful styling pieces for crochet pattern photography. Place a small flower bundle near your finished project to give the photo a soft, natural, boho feeling.
Create a Boho Dried-Flower Wall
For an even more dramatic display, create several bundles using different flowers, herbs, and grasses.
Try combining:
- Lavender and eucalyptus
- Wheat and dried grasses
- Roses and baby’s breath
- Chamomile and sage
- Wildflowers and fern leaves
- Warm fall flowers and muted greenery
Hang the bundles at different heights from a branch, wall hook, peg rail, or wooden ladder.
You could also add small bells, crystals, ribbons, wooden beads, handmade tassels, or macramé details for a more whimsical, festival-inspired look.
Tips for Beautiful Dried Flowers
For the best results, remember these simple tips:
- Begin with flowers that are fresh and mostly dry.
- Remove extra foliage from the lower stems.
- Make several smaller bundles instead of one oversized bundle.
- Leave space between hanging bundles for airflow.
- Keep the flowers away from direct sunlight.
- Avoid humid rooms.
- Handle the finished flowers carefully because dried petals can be fragile.
- Check the twine as the stems shrink during drying.
- Display dried flowers away from open flames and excessive heat.
Dried flowers may naturally fade over time, but that is part of their soft, vintage charm.
Preserving a Little Piece of the Season
Drying lavender and wildflowers is such a simple project, but the finished bundles can bring so much beauty and character into a home.
I love that every bundle feels slightly different. Some are neat and delicate, while others are wild, textured, and imperfect. That natural variation is what makes them so special.
Whether you grow flowers in your garden, collect a few blooms from your property, or preserve a bouquet from a meaningful occasion, drying them gives you a way to enjoy their beauty long after the season has passed.
With a little natural twine and a gathering knot, you can turn an ordinary handful of flowers into a beautiful piece of boho-inspired décor.