How to Preserve Autumn Leaves

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Ngày cập nhật gần nhất: 15/4/2026

Content

Steps

Apply decoupage glue

Apply paraffin wax

Soak in glycerin solution

Microwave Drying

Pressing Leaves in a Book

Pressing Leaves in Wax Paper

Things You Will Need

Pressing Leaves in Wax Paper

Applying paraffin wax

Soaking in glycerin

Applying decoupage glue

Microwave drying

Pressing leaves in a book

Autumn is perhaps the most beautiful season of the year, but it seems to pass by the quickest among all four seasons. Although we can't prevent nature from transitioning, you can still hold onto a piece of autumn by drying, pressing, or sealing a few leaves before winter arrives.

Steps

Apply decoupage glue

Select fresh, vibrant leaves. Pick up freshly fallen leaves with bright colors and a flexible texture. The leaves can be slightly dry but should not be brittle or curled at the tips. Avoid leaves that are torn or have rotten spots.

Leaves will lose a bit of their color as they dry, so the brighter the leaves, the better they will retain their beauty after the process.

Apply decoupage glue to both sides of each leaf. Decoupage glue is a white adhesive that turns transparent when it dries. You can purchase this glue at craft supply stores. Carefully use a foam brush to apply decoupage glue to one side of each leaf. Place the leaves on a piece of paper to dry.

It is recommended to apply the glue on the same day you collect the leaves. If left too long, the leaves will dry out, turn brown, and become brittle.
If the leaves are too damp or if you pick fresh leaves from the tree instead of waiting for them to fall, it's a good idea to dry them a bit by pressing them between the pages of a heavy book for a few days.

Allow the glue to dry completely. The glue will turn transparent and will no longer be sticky.

Repeat the process on the other side of the leaf. Flip the leaf over and apply glue to the other side. Once the second side is dry, the leaf is finished. This method helps maintain the color and shape of the leaf for a long time.

Apply paraffin wax

Select fresh leaves. Look for freshly fallen leaves. The wax coating will help preserve the vibrant color of the leaves. Use a paper towel to dry the leaves before applying the wax.

Melt paraffin wax in a disposable pot. You can buy a box of paraffin wax (450g) at a craft store or grocery shop. Melt the wax in a disposable baking tray by placing it on a stovetop with a low flame.

To help the wax melt faster, it’s recommended to cut it into small pieces and spread them evenly across the bottom of the pot.
If you don't have a disposable pot, you can use an old baking tray that you no longer need. Wax may damage regular pots, so avoid using your everyday cooking pots for this process.

Remove the melted wax pot from the heat. Be careful, as the melted wax will be extremely hot. Lift the pot off the stove and place it on a table. Handle with care to avoid spillage, especially if you have children or pets in your home.

Dip each leaf into the melted wax. Hold the leaf stem and dip the leaf into the liquid wax several times. Make sure both sides of the leaf are coated with wax. Avoid placing your hands too close to the wax. Repeat the process for all remaining leaves.

Dry the leaves. Place the wax-coated leaves on wax paper until the wax hardens. Dry the leaves in a wind-free area for a few hours. Once dry, you can easily lift the leaves off the wax paper. This method helps preserve the color and shape of the leaves for a long time.

For extra safety, place a layer of newspaper on the table before laying the wax paper. The two layers underneath will reduce the risk of wax spilling onto the table. Wax is very difficult to clean if it drips onto surfaces.

Soak in glycerin solution

Choose fresh leaves or a small branch with leaves. If you prefer to preserve a whole branch of autumn leaves, this method is simpler than the wax coating technique. Select a branch with fresh leaves that are securely attached.

This method will enhance the color of the leaves. Yellow leaves will become more vibrant, and red and orange leaves will deepen in color.
Pick branches that have just fallen rather than breaking them off the tree. Breaking branches can damage the tree.
Avoid branches with diseased leaves or those that have been through a frost season. This method is ineffective for leaves that have already been exposed to frost.

Crush the bottom end of each branch. Use a hammer to tap the bottom of the branch to expose the living wood inside. This living wood can effectively absorb the glycerin solution; without it, the solution won't reach the leaves.

If you're only preserving individual leaves, you can skip this step.

Prepare the glycerin solution. You can buy vegetable glycerin at craft stores or food supply shops. Mix 530 ml of vegetable glycerin with 2 liters of water in a bucket or vase to create the solution.

Glycerin is a natural product derived from plants, making it an organic option for preserving leaves.
If you want to preserve larger, woody branches, add 4-5 drops of gentle dish soap to the solution. The soap acts as a surfactant, breaking the surface tension of the glycerin, allowing the molecules to penetrate the wood more easily. For best results, use an unscented, colorless dish soap. You can also use liquid surfactants available at garden stores.

Soak the entire branch and leaves in the solution for 3-5 days. Allow the branch and leaves to absorb the glycerin for at least 3-5 days. Place the bucket in a shaded area during the soaking process.

If you are preserving individual leaves, you'll need to place a weight on the leaves to keep them submerged in the solution. Pour the solution into a shallow pan, place the leaves in, and use a plate or pot lid to weigh them down, ensuring they stay submerged.

Remove the branch and leaves from the solution. The leaves will become more vibrant and flexible. You can use the entire branch for crafts or pluck individual leaves to use separately.

Microwave Drying

Place fresh leaves between paper towels. This is another effective method for drying leaves, although it may slightly fade the color. Lay the fresh leaves on two sheets of paper towels, then cover them with another layer of towels.

Use freshly fallen leaves that are still flexible and moist. Avoid leaves that are curled at the tips or those that are torn or have rotting spots.
Make sure to leave a small gap between the leaves so they don’t stick together during the drying process.

Microwave the leaves to dry them. Place the leaves in the microwave and heat them for 30 seconds. Continue microwaving in 5-second intervals.

Autumn leaves typically take between 30 to 180 seconds to fully dry in the microwave.
Be very cautious when microwaving leaves. They can catch fire if heated for too long.
If the leaves are scorched, you’ve microwaved them for too long, and if the tips of the leaves curl after microwaving, they haven’t been dried enough.

Leave the leaves outside overnight. Place the leaves in a sheltered, shaded area without drafts. Let them sit for at least one night or up to two days. If you notice the leaves changing color, you should immediately seal them.

Spray the leaves with acrylic spray. Coat both sides of the leaves with a clear acrylic spray to preserve their color. Allow the leaves to dry before using them for crafts or decoration.

Pressing Leaves in a Book

Place the leaves between two sheets of paper. This method will dry the leaves, but the color will not be preserved. Place your autumn leaves between two sheets of thick white printing paper.

Use paper that is at least as thick as standard printer paper, and avoid thin paper like tracing paper. Otherwise, the leaves may soak the paper and leave stains.
Arrange each leaf in a single layer. Don’t stack them on top of each other to prevent them from sticking together.
Choose leaves that are in good condition. Select leaves that have freshly fallen and are still moist. The tips of the leaves should not be dry or curled.

Place a heavy book on top of the paper with the leaves. You’ll need a large, heavy book for this. To avoid staining the book or the surface underneath, it’s best to place a few sheets of absorbent paper or tissues between the paper with the leaves and the book. The tissues or paper will absorb the moisture released by the leaves.

Press the leaves directly in the book: You can press the leaves directly in a book you don’t mind potentially getting damaged. Simply sandwich the leaves between the pages of the book. To get the best results, separate each leaf by at least 20 pages.

If you have a phone directory, it’s perfect for this job.
Place a weight on top of the book. The pressure will help remove moisture and flatten the leaves. You can use another book, a brick, or any heavy object.

Check the leaves after a week. The pressed leaves should be dry. If the leaves are still flexible, they need a few more days of pressing to fully dry out.

Pressing Leaves in Wax Paper

Select fresh leaves. Use freshly fallen, moist, and vibrant leaves. This method of pressing in wax paper will help retain the brightest colors of the leaves.

Dry the leaves. Arrange the wet leaves in a single layer between two sheets of paper towels to absorb the moisture. Be sure not to stack the leaves on top of each other, as they may stick together. Iron each side of the leaves for 3-5 minutes on medium heat to draw out the moisture from the leaves.

Drying the leaves beforehand helps preserve their color and quality after pressing in the wax paper.
Do not use the steam setting on the iron, as the moisture will keep the leaves damp. Use only the dry heat setting.
After 3-5 minutes, touch the leaves to check. If they are not dry, continue ironing both sides for a few more minutes.

Place the leaves between two sheets of wax paper. Either side of the wax paper can face the leaves, as both sides are equally coated with wax. Lay a single layer of dried leaves between the wax paper, leaving a small gap between each leaf. Ensure the sheets of wax paper adhere to each other.

Place the wax paper between two sheets of printer paper. You can also use brown packing paper or another type of thick paper. Make sure the printer paper completely covers the wax paper to prevent the iron from sticking to the wax. Remember to arrange the leaves in a single layer, with space between each one.

Seal the wax paper with an iron. Set the iron to medium heat and press both sides of the wax paper to make the wax stick together. Keep the iron moving to avoid burning the wax. Iron one side for 3 minutes, then carefully flip the entire paper, wax paper, and leaves to iron the other side.

Do not use the steam setting; only use the dry setting.
Handle the hot paper with care. If you have sensitive skin, consider wearing gloves to protect your hands.

Wait for the wax to cool. The wax will be slightly liquid around the leaves and will stick to them as it cools. Let the wax cool before handling it.

Cut the edges around the leaves. Once everything has cooled, carefully peel the paper away from the wax paper. Use scissors or a craft knife to trim the edges around each leaf.

Leave a small border of wax paper around the edge of each leaf to keep it attached between the two sheets of wax paper.
You can also peel the wax paper off the leaves instead of cutting the edges. A thin layer of wax left on the leaf will be enough to preserve it.