How to Dry Leaves

People often dry leaves for use as decorations in handmade crafts or to preserve herbs for cooking. There are many ways to dry leaves, so you should take time to experiment and choose the methods that best suit your needs. Fortunately, most drying techniques only require materials that are easy to find or already available in your home.

Air-dry the leaves if you don't need to flatten them. Place the leaves in a shallow container or tie them together in a bundle. Leave them out in the sun for several days, checking daily or every other day to see if they are drying. The leaves will dry out in the sun, but the edges might curl up. Curled edges might make them harder to use in some crafts, but they look beautiful when combined with dried flowers.

• Do not dry the leaves under direct sunlight if you want to keep their natural green color. Leaves will lose their vibrant hue and fade when exposed to direct sunlight.
• Using a fan or having the wind blow through an open window can help the leaves dry faster.

Pressing leaves is a slow yet simple drying method. Place one or more small leaves between two sheets of tissue paper, making sure they don't overlap. Then press them in a large book, such as an encyclopedia. Close the book and place it somewhere flat. Add a stack of books or a heavy object on top. Check weekly to see if the leaves have dried, and replace the tissue paper if it becomes damp.

• If the leaves are wet from rain, use tissue paper to blot them dry first. Add extra layers of tissue paper if the leaves are too wet or if you're concerned about staining the book.
• If you're pressing several leaves in the same book, be sure to separate them with a few pages, ensuring they are about 3mm apart to ensure proper pressing for each leaf.

Use a flower press for quicker results. You can purchase a large flower press designed for leaves or create one yourself using plywood and cardboard. This method is more costly and requires more materials than simply pressing leaves in a book, but the improved airflow can help the leaves dry faster by a few days.

• Place the leaves between two sheets of tissue paper, then sandwich them between two sheets of absorbent paper or additional tissue layers. Open the flower press, place the entire stack of paper inside, and tighten it. Check every few days to replace the damp tissue paper and assess the drying process.

Quickly dry thick leaves in the microwave. Place a thick leaf between two layers of tissue paper and set it on a microwave-safe plate. Put the plate and a small cup of water in the microwave, then run it for 30 seconds. If the leaf isn't dry, continue microwaving it in 10-second intervals, checking after each one.

• Warning: Leaves can easily catch fire in the microwave, so only use this method for large, thick leaves. The cup of water helps prevent this by absorbing part of the microwave's energy.

Iron fresh leaves to preserve their color. This method works best for leaves that are still fresh and haven't begun to turn color or dry out, but if the leaves are wet, dry them with tissue paper first. Place a leaf between two sheets of wax paper and then cover it with a cloth. Wait for the iron to heat up, and then press it onto the cloth, applying pressure for 2-5 minutes or until one side is dry. Flip the wax paper over, cover it with the cloth again, and repeat.

• Warning: The iron will be extremely hot and could be dangerous, so children should ask an adult for help with this step.
• Remember not to use the steam setting on the iron.
• After ironing, cut the wax paper around the leaf and peel the layers of paper away. The remaining wax on the leaf will help preserve its color.

Preserve the texture of leaves using glycerine. This method works for evergreen and broad leaves, such as magnolia, lemon, and eucalyptus. It will turn the leaves brown but keep them soft and pliable. Mix one part glycerine with two parts water in a shallow dish, pouring just enough to submerge the leaves. You can use these leaves in crafts after about 4 days, or let them soak for several weeks for long-term preservation.

• This method works because glycerine replaces the water in the leaves, and unlike water, glycerine doesn't evaporate.
• If the leaf floats, place a piece of paper or an object you don't mind getting wet on top of it to keep it submerged in the solution.
• Add more solution if the leaves aren't completely submerged.

Rinse the dirt off freshly picked herbs. If you're using a bundle of herbs that look clean and dust-free, there's no need to wash them. However, if you've just picked them from the garden, they likely have some dirt on them and should be rinsed well. Wash the leaves under a slow stream of water and shake off any excess moisture.

Spread herbs out to let the water evaporate before using any drying method. Whether they’ve just been rinsed or are already damp, it's important to remove any water on the leaves. Lay the leaves on a paper towel or dish towel until there's no water left on the surface.

Quickly dry small batches of herbs or tea leaves in the microwave. If you need to use the herbs right away, this method works well for drying small amounts at a time. This also applies to used tea leaves. Place the small leaves or herbs between two dry paper towels and microwave in 30-second intervals until they are crisp. Be cautious of signs of burning.

• Thick, fresh herbs like mint and basil may not dry easily in the microwave unless they've already been partially dried.

Air-dry thick and tough herbs by hanging them indoors. Some herbs that don’t have high moisture content can be air-dried over a few weeks. Bind the stems into bundles and hang them upside down. If possible, hang them in a dark place, as sunlight may ruin the color and flavor of the herbs.

• These herbs typically have tough or thick leaves. Examples include rosemary, parsley, sage, and thyme.
• If you prefer to dry softer, moisture-rich herbs this way, tie them into small bundles inside a paper bag. Poke a few holes at the bottom of the bag and hang it in a well-ventilated area to help the leaves dry faster and prevent mold growth.

Dry soft and moist herbs in the oven at a low temperature. Soft, juicy herbs need to be dried quickly to avoid mold. Remove the leaves from their stems and spread them between two sheets of paper towel, ensuring the leaves don't touch. If needed, you can stack up to five layers of paper towel, alternating each layer with a layer of herbs. Place everything on an oven-safe plate and set it in the oven at the lowest possible temperature. Drying can take up to 8 hours.

• Set the oven to just a temperature where the indicator light turns on.
• Effective herbs for this drying method include basil, sage, bay leaves, and mint.

Once the herbs are crispy and easily crumble, store them in an airtight container. Crush the herbs between your fingertips before storing or adding them to dishes. Keep the dried herbs in a sealed jar and place it in a cool, dark, and dry location to maintain their flavor for as long as possible.

• Dried herbs are more flavorful than fresh ones. When substituting dried herbs for fresh, use only about one-third of the amount called for in the recipe, or half if it's basil.
• Tea leaves can be dried right after brewing. The microwave method works best for small amounts. Use the dried tea leaves like any other herb or to freshen the air in your home.

Select thick leaves with prominent veins. With this method, you will remove most of the leaf, leaving only the vein structure behind. A sturdy leaf that doesn't easily break or curl is a good choice. Maple leaves or freshly fallen oak leaves work well for leaf veining, and waxy leaves such as evergreen or magnolia are also suitable.

Pour 1 liter of water into a pot. You can use a smaller saucepan if you only have a few leaves. Remember to adjust the other ingredients proportionally, or simply use half the amount according to the recipe below.

Wear gloves. The mixture you're using could harm your skin, so be sure to wear latex or rubber gloves before handling any chemicals. Afterward, remember to rinse all your tools under running water while still wearing the gloves.

Add a little baking soda or washing soda. These chemicals are usually available at grocery stores or chemical supply stores. For any type of use, 2 tablespoons (30 g) is sufficient. These chemicals will gradually turn the leaves into powder, leaving only the stem and veins behind.

Place the leaves into the pot. You can add two handfuls of leaves or more, as long as they can be stirred easily without water spilling over the sides of the pot.

Simmer the water gently. You can lower the heat until the water just starts to bubble or bring it to a boil and then reduce the heat. The mixture should be nearly boiling, with occasional bubbles rising to the surface.

• If you can measure the temperature, try to aim for about 80ºC.

Simmer until the leaves break down, stirring occasionally. Depending on the thickness of the leaves, this could take an entire day, but usually just a few hours. Stir gently every so often and check to see if the leaves have softened and started to break apart.

• You will need to add more water as the liquid evaporates. You can also replace the baking soda solution with a fresh one every 4 hours.

Transfer the broken leaves into a tray of cold water. A glass baking tray works well for this step, as it allows you to see the process clearly. Carefully use a whisk or another tool to place each leaf into the tray without overlapping them.

Use a small, stiff brush to scrape off the remaining powder from the leaves. The leaves will become thinner with a layer of powder sticking to them. Be patient and gentle as you remove this powder, leaving only the vein structure or a thin, translucent layer of the leaf, depending on the type.

• You might need to rinse the leaves under a slow stream of cold water to gradually remove the powder from the plant.

Wash all tools while still wearing gloves. Clean the pot, stirring spoon, and any other items that have come into contact with the mixture. Be sure to wear gloves, and use soap and warm water.

Air-dry the leaves. You can either leave the leaves to dry on a paper towel or gently pat them dry and press them in a book or flower press. After 1 or 2 days, you will have a unique version of dried leaves for crafting. Due to their translucency, the leaf veins look stunning when placed on a glass surface.

• When pressing leaves with an iron, it's important to place a material between the iron and the wax paper. A dish towel works well, as it allows heat to pass through and creates an even press on the leaves. The towel also prevents wax from sticking to the hot surface of the iron.
• You can purchase glycerin, baking soda, or washing soda from food or chemical supply stores.

• Always closely monitor the leaves when drying them in the microwave. If you notice any smoke or blackening, immediately turn off the microwave. If parts of the leaves are still wet, you can try other methods to complete the drying process, such as pressing the leaves to finish drying.

• Paper towels
• Heavy books or
• Glycerin and water or
• Microwave or
• Iron and wax paper or

Leaf Vein Embossing

• Pot
• Water
• Baking soda or washing soda
• Glass baking tray
• Whisk and/or stirring tool
• Small paintbrush