Sola wood flowers are made from the soft, spongy pith of a plant and are naturally a pale ivory. They are lightweight, absorb liquid readily and can be colored in many ways, which is a big part of their appeal. This guide explains the common methods and how to get good results.
What sola wood flowers are
Sola wood is shaved into thin sheets that are cut and shaped into petals and flowers. The material is soft and slightly springy, and it soaks up liquid quickly. Many crafters use sola flowers in bouquets, centerpieces, wreaths and cake-free decor. Because the starting color is neutral, they take paint and dye well.
Three ways to color them
Crafters usually pick from three approaches, roughly in order of difficulty:
- Dip dyeing. Fast, simple and good for large batches. The whole flower takes one color.
- Hand painting. Slower, but lets you add shading and detail.
- Airbrushing or spray painting. Quick to dry and good for keeping curled shapes in place, but it takes some practice.
Dip dyeing step by step
You will need: sola flowers, craft acrylic paint or another water-compatible color, warm water, a bowl or container you do not mind staining, a fork or whisk, and a tray or egg carton for drying. Wear gloves if you do not want colored hands.
- Pour warm water into the bowl.
- Squeeze in paint. A rough starting point some crafters use is about two parts water to one part paint, then adjust by testing on one flower.
- Whisk until the color is fully mixed. Paint settles, so make sure you stir the bottom too.
- Dunk a flower, turn it so it is covered, then lift it out and let excess drip off.
- If the color is pale, add more paint. If it looks thick or clumpy, add more water.
- Re-stir the mixture every few flowers.
- Place the flowers on parchment paper or in an egg carton and let them dry in a spot with good airflow.
Drying often takes up to about a day, depending on the flower size, the humidity and how much liquid was absorbed. Wait until the flowers feel dry to the touch before arranging them.
Some suppliers sell a softener that is mixed into the dye bath to help keep flowers pliable. If you use one, follow the directions on the product.
Hand painting for realistic color
Dip dyeing colors the whole flower evenly. Real flowers rarely look like that, so hand painting is useful when you want a natural look.
- Brush a little darker color into the inside of the petals for a two-tone effect.
- Use a dry brush to create a rustic, distressed finish.
- Thin the paint with extra water for a watercolor look.
- Add small touches of green or brown near the center for depth.
- Larger flowers show painted detail more clearly than small ones.
Spraying or airbrushing
Spray color dries quickly, which suits projects with a deadline. It can also help curled petals, such as tulips or rolled-petal roses, keep their shape, since liquid dye can make them relax and unfurl. A softener cannot be loaded into most airbrushes, so if you want a soft, pliable feel you may need to condition the flowers beforehand.
Always spray in a well-ventilated area, preferably outdoors, and follow the label directions. Protect your work surface, and consider a mask rated for the product you are using.
Choosing and mixing colors
- Start with a limited palette. Pick two or three main colors and one or two accent shades.
- Mix in small batches. It is hard to match a custom color exactly later, so make enough for the whole set.
- Test first. Dye a spare flower and let it dry, since the color often looks different when wet.
- Expect slight variation. Each flower absorbs differently, and some variation looks natural.
- For softer shades, dilute the mix. For deeper ones, add paint or leave the flower in longer.
- To mimic real blooms, look at photos of the real flower. Many have darker centers and lighter petal tips.
Drying and troubleshooting
- Uneven or streaky color. Stir more often and make sure the flower is fully submerged.
- Color looks too light. Add paint and redip once the flower has dried.
- Flower has gone limp or uncurled. This is common with liquid methods. Spraying or a gentle reshaping while damp can help.
- Flower feels stiff or brittle. It may have dried too fast or without a softener. A softener or a light mist of water, used sparingly, can help some pieces recover.
- Slow drying. Increase airflow and avoid stacking flowers.
Safety and cleanup
- Wear gloves to protect your skin from dye and paint.
- Keep paint, dyes and sprays away from food and out of reach of children and pets.
- Work in a ventilated space when spraying.
- Do not pour large amounts of paint down the drain. Check local guidance for disposal.
- Sola flowers are small and detailed, and wire stems can be sharp, so keep them away from young children.
Using the finished flowers
Dyed sola flowers work well in handmade bouquets and centerpieces. If you are planning an event, see our guide to DIY wedding flowers. To make arrangements read as more natural, borrow ideas from how to make fake plants and flowers look real. If you prefer paper, our printable paper flower patterns are a good alternative.