Brilliantly Preserved Leaves

Glycerin Leaf Preservation 
Glycerin is a liquid that you’re likely to find at your local drugstore. Beyond its soothing medicinal uses, it’s also great for keeping colorful fall leaves from drying out, so you can create beautiful seasonal displays. This technique does require a bit of experimentation; some leaves simply don’t react well with glycerin. Collect a variety just in case.

MATERIALS 
Colorful leaves with stems still attached
Liquid glycerin (available at drug stores)
Water
Flat pan or glass baking dish
Pebbles or other weighted items
Surfactant (available at gardening stores)

1. Look for healthy leaves with vibrant colors that don’t appear to be damaged by frost, bugs or disease. Make sure the leaf stems are still attached as you collect them.
2. Mix the glycerin and water inside the disposable pan so that it’s one part glycerin and two parts water. You only need enough to submerge the leaves.
3. Add 3 to 4 drops of the surfactant to the solution. This breaks down the glycerin molecules and allows it to penetrate more easily.
4. Place the leaves with stems attached in the solution. Next, put pebbles or weights on the leaves to keep them submerged if they seem to be floating to the surface.
5. The leaves should remain submerged in the solution for 2 to 6 days. Keep them in a dry location, away from children and pets. Check on your leaves periodically to make sure their color is not changing drastically, though they will darken slightly. Take out any leaves that don’t appear to be reacting well (spotting, drastic changes in color).
6. Remove your finished leaves from the solution and dry gently with a paper towel. They should feel soft and pliable and will stay this way for years to come!

Silica Leaf Preservation 
The silica dries out the leaves while allowing them to keep their color and shape. Try following up the silica treatment with a dried flower coating or clear spray-on glaze to help enhance and protect your dried leaves from breakage and fading in the future.

MATERIALS 
Colorful leaves with short stems
Microwave safe container
Silica gel (available at craft stores)
Small paintbrush
Dried flower coating or clear spray-on glaze (available at craft stores)

INSTRUCTIONS 

1. Pour the silica gel into your container to cover the bottom, about 1”.
2. If your leaves have long stems, cut them down to about
   1-1/2” and place them spaced out on top of the silica layer.
3. Slowly pour more silica gel over the surface of the leaves, until they are completely covered with a generous layer.
4. Place the uncovered container in the microwave with a glass of water. Microwave on medium power for 1-minute intervals until your leaves are dry. It will take approximately 2-3 minutes.
5. When removing your dried flowers or leaves, slowly pour off the silica gel into another container until they are uncovered. Gently brush off any silica that has settled using your fingers or a paintbrush.
6. To strengthen and protect your dried leaves further, cover with a layer of dried flower coating or spray-on glaze after you’ve removed them from the silica. If you’re using a spray glaze, make sure to take to a well-ventilated area and follow package instructions.

Tip: Silica gel is typically a mix of white and blue crystals. If the blue crystals remain blue, it can be used again. When blue crystals turn pink it means they have absorbed all the moisture they can. To reactivate the crystals, spread them out in a shallow pan and place in the oven at 250ºF for approximately 5 hours, or until the pink crystals turn blue. If you choose to save your silica gel to use for another drying project, keep it in an airtight container and out of reach of children and pets.

Tip: If you’d rather not use the microwave for this project, you can follow the same directions above and replace the microwave step. Cover the container with an airtight lid and put in a safe, dry place. Make sure to keep it out of reach of children and pets. Drying can take anywhere from 2-7 days, depending on the thickness of the leaves. Just check on your leaves periodically to make sure they are not over drying. Most leaves will probably take only 2-3 days.

Elegant Display Possibilities
Put your final pieces on display and experience your local autumn colors indoors throughout the season and beyond.

Sweet & Simple: Mount leaves on handmade paper with delicate straight pins; add a handwritten botanical inscription below each leaf and frame for display. To try your hand at the ancient craft of papermaking check out the simple instructions in Handmade Paper.

Fun & Layered: Create a fall collage and show off your creativity with our printable patterned backgrounds for mounting and framing your preserved leaves.

Once you’ve mastered these drying techniques, give them a try with flowers and other plant life you would like to enjoy longer.