How to Dye Carnations Green to Make Saint Patrick's Day Decorations

Dyeing flowers is easy and fun. To make a fresh decoration for St. Patrick's Day, you can buy costly green carnations from the florist, or you can make them yourself in just a few minutes.
 
Start a few days before you need the flowers. The first step is to get as many fresh, white carnations as you want. If you can, choose carnations that are not fully opened yet as the dye takes time to work its way into the petals. If you start with old flowers, they will begin to deteriorate before they take up the color.

Prepare a small vase with water and flower food. Put some drops of green food coloring in the water. The more dye you use, the deeper the color will be. Strip the leaves from the stems of the carnations, and with a sharp knife, cut the stems at an angle so they are a little longer than you will need them to be. Gently split the base of the stem, making a cut about an inch long. This will help the carnations absorb water.

As soon as they are cut, put the carnations into the green water, and when you are done, cover the flowers with a plastic bag and put the vase into the refrigerator. The cold helps to keep the flowers fresh, and the bag keeps them from drying out. Check the flowers in a day or so; when they are as dark as you want them, move them into clear water.

Now you have beautiful decorations just in time for St. Patrick's Day!