How to Preserve Leaves and Flowers

Flowers or colorful leaves can be something to enjoy for creating crafts, or to look at for years to come. Several methods demonstrate how you can preserve either leaves or flowers, but the best way to preserve both is with glycerin. Learn to preserve flowers or leaves that will not dry out, and that you can admire for quite a long time.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Leaves or flowers (stems still attached)
• Glycerin
• Water
• Pan or disposable foam plates
• Rocks

1. Cut your leaves or flowers, then inspect them to ensure they are not damaged by the weather or insects. Keep the stems attached so that the plants absorb the glycerin. Leaves or flowers with frost damage will not work well for preserving.

2. Mix one part glycerin to two parts water. Glycerin can be purchased at your local drug store for a relatively cheap price. Make about one cup of the glycerin and water solution. Pour the solution into a pan, or into the bottom of a disposable foam plate.

3. Place your leaves or flowers into the pan or plate, making sure they are fully submerged by the solution. Place a heavy object on each leaf or flower (rocks, or even paperweights work just fine). Keep the leaves or flowers submerged in the solution for at least 2 to 6 days. Carefully remove the leaves or flowers from the solution after this time, and dry them with a paper towel. The leaves or flowers should now be soft and preserved.

Tips & Warnings

• If you are using autumn leaves, then yellow leaves work the best for keeping their color.
• Glycerin helps to maintain the softness of the flowers or leaves. Glycerin-preserved flowers or leaves may turn a darker color. Remember this when you are choosing which ones you wish to use.
• Fresh flowers are always the best to use during the flower preservation process.

References

• Leaf Preserving
• Preservation