If you’re a lover of the beautiful and natural colors of Autumn then you, like many, have probably stopped at some point on your adventures to pick up a particularly eye-catching fallen leaf. If you’ve ever wondered exactly what it takes to press a leaf and preserve its beauty for many years to come then we’ll let you in on a little secret: it’s easy!

The quickest and simplest way to press leaves is to place them flat between the pages of a heavy book and leave them to dry for approximately two weeks, depending on the size and type. It is best to find a book that is of lower importance such as a phone book or outdated dictionary. Although leaf pressing does not typically leave behind any stains, the water escaping your leaf may leave behind a crinkly page when all is said and done. It is also possible to press leaves between newspaper or between a stack of books on their own, provided that enough weight is placed onto the plant for a long-enough period of time.

Typically, darker leaves such as purples and reds will dry to be brown or black in color, however most lighter leaves keep their color relatively well despite the process and remain beautiful long after drying. Some leaves will lighten significantly if left out in the sun for months after drying, so depending on what you may want to use them for, a dark storage place could be necessary.

Once you’ve built up a significant collection here are a few ideas for using your Fall leaves:

  1. Laminate a good number of leaves with clear packing tape and tie or string them to a long piece of yarn to create a natural Fall banner
  2. Take them to be laminated into cute Fall placemats
  3. Paste them to a canvas in any way you like to create a unique picture for your wall
  4. Use them to make jewelry via several bottles and jewelry kits available at your local craft store
  5. Place them around on tables like confetti during festive Autumn dinners