How to Dye the Tips of Roses

Roses naturally come in a variety of red tones, as well as white and yellow. For special occasions such as St. Patrick's Day or the 4th of July, you may wish to decorate your home or business with different colored roses. If you add food coloring to a white rose's water, capillary action will bring the dyed water up to the petals, resulting in colored tips. Adding food coloring to yellow, pink or red roses will change the color of the petals, but their natural pigmentation will affect the color of the food dye; you will have more predictable and attractive results with white roses.

Things You'll Need

• White roses
• Food coloring
• Sugar
• Scissors
• Vases

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Instructions

1. • 1

     Trim an inch from the stems of the roses at a 45-degree angle to help them absorb water better.

   • 2

     Fill a vase with warm water. Add a few drops of food coloring -- the more you add, the stronger the rose petals' color will be. Dissolve a spoonful of sugar into the dye solution. Use a different vase for each color of food coloring, if using more than one color.

   • 3

     Place the roses' stems in the vase. The petals will change color in a day or two.

   • 4

     Remove the roses from the water and wash the ends of the stems under running water. Cut an inch from the stems again at an angle.

   • 5

     Transfer the roses to a different vase with clear water for a better presentation.