How To Dye Dried Pampas Grass: 7 Steps

Introduction

Have you ever seen a bouquet of bright, dyed pampas grass? It's a sight to behold, and one that will surely make you the talk of the party. But unless you are okay with paying $20+ per stem for dyeing pampas grass, then this DIY project is for you! In this tutorial I'll show you how to dye dried pampas grass in your kitchen at home with items that most people already have on hand. And don't worry: if something goes wrong or doesn't turn out quite right as planned (it happens to me all the time), then we'll cover that too. Here are the steps I took in order to get results like mine:

Prep the stalks.

• Using a sharp scissors, cut off the dried pampas grass stems.

• Remove any dried stems from your bundle of stalks by pulling them out with your fingers.

• Cut the pampas grass into smaller pieces with a pair of scissors or wire cutter (if using).

To make pampas grass, the stems should be between 8 and 10 inches long. Remove any leaves from the stems before you begin weaving, as they can get in the way of your project.

Mix the dye.

• Mix the dye.

Use a food-safe and non-toxic dye to dye your pampas grass. You can find these dyes at craft supply stores, or online.

• Put on gloves and goggles, if you have them (these will protect your hands and eyes). Put on an apron as well, because this is messy stuff!

Measure out your dye, and put it into a small bowl. Add enough warm water so that the pampas grass is submerged in liquid.

Paint the stalks.

Once you’ve mixed the dye, use a paintbrush to dip the stalks in it. Dip them as many times as you want for a deeper color, letting each layer dry before moving on to the next one.

After painting your pampas grass, let it dry completely before moving on to the next step: hanging it up and letting gravity do its thing!

Let the dye dry, then rinse.

After the dye has had ample time to dry, rinse it in cool water. For best results, use a bucket or tub rather than running the grass under the sink. Make sure to give each strand of pampas grass a good soak, then rinse again until you see no more color coming out of your strands.

Slowly dip dyed pieces into water.

• Place the grass in a container large enough to hold the entire piece of pampas.

• Fill your container with warm water, then place your dyed pampas grass into it.

• Slowly dip the piece into and out of the water until you reach your desired color.

• Remove your pampas from the water, place it on a paper towel to dry and repeat steps 1 through 4 until you have achieved your desired color!

Hang to dry.

• Hang the flowers upside down in a dry place.

• Make sure they are not touching each other, and make sure there's plenty of air circulating around them.

• Don't use a plastic bag, it will trap moisture and stain the flowers. Also, don't put them in direct sunlight—it will fade the color over time.

Add to your home decor!

• Use it in flower arrangements.

• Use it as a table centerpiece.

• Add to vases.

• Use it as a centerpiece for a party or wedding decoration!

You can dye pampas grass yourself with a lot of patience and care.

Dyeing pampas grass is a lot of work, but the results can be beautiful. You'll need to dedicate time and patience to the process, but it's not difficult. The dye will stain your hands, clothes and work surface—so wear old clothes and protect surfaces with newspaper or plastic sheets. You'll also want to use rubber gloves when handling the dyed pampas grass after it has dried for a day or two.

Conclusion

There you have it! You’ve learned the basics of how to dye pampas grass and how to use it in your home decorating.