# How to Color or Dye Roses
Coloring roses with dye is a fun, easy project to create special flowers for decorating or as a science experiment with children. White roses show color the best, and roses with long, sturdy stems can even be colored with more than one dye for a tie-dyed effect. Once dyed, the color will last as long as the rose does.
Things You'll Need
- White roses
- Liquid food dyes
- Water
- Vases
- Sharp knife
- Test tubes
Instructions
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Dyeing Roses One Color
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1
White roses in tight bud stage work best and last longest. Mix the desired dye color with the water. It should be vibrant, as the dyed water must travel up the stem and into the flower itself -- pale water will not color strongly.
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2
Cut the bottom tip of the rose stem off at an angle to allow the rose to take up the dyed water freely. Place the rose in the water and let it stand for at least 24 hours.
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3
Remove the rose from the dyed water, recut the stem and arrange as desired with fresh water.
Dyeing Roses Multiple Colors
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4
Mix one color of dye in each of two to three test tubes or thin-walled glasses. With a very sharp knife, cut the rose stem into the desired number of sections. Insert each stem section into one of the test tubes.
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5
Wait for 24 hours or longer for the roses to absorb the dye. Remove from the dyed water and cut above the splits in the stem.
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6
Place the tie-dyed rose in fresh water and arrange with very simple accompaniment to allow the colors of the rose to be the focal point.
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