Plant Pressing
Plant pressing preserves botanical specimens by removing moisture while maintaining their natural shape and color. Using simple materials like paper and heavy books, you can create a personal herbarium - a scientific collection that captures the plants in your area and serves as a permanent record of local flora.
What You'll Do
What You Need
Required
- ●Newspaper or printer paper (10-15 sheets)($0)
- ●Heavy books (3-5 textbooks or reference books)($0)
- ●Fresh plants from your yard or public areas($0)
Optional
- ○Corrugated cardboard (2-4 pieces, 8x11 inches)($0-2)
- ○Blotting paper or parchment paper($5-10)
How To Do It
- 1
Collect your specimens
Choose plants on a dry afternoon (never morning dew). Look for flat flowers like daisies, pansies, or ferns - avoid thick blooms like roses. Collect complete s with leaves and stems when possible. Only take plants from your own yard or public areas where collecting is allowed.
- 2
Prepare your press
Fold newspaper sheets in half to create a pocket. For each , use one folded newspaper sheet. If using cardboard, alternate layers: cardboard, folded newspaper with plant, cardboard. This setup allows moisture to escape evenly.
- 3
Arrange your plants
Open the folded newspaper and position each plant to show its key features - flowers, leaves, and stem. Flatten overlapping parts and spread leaves naturally. Don't overcrowd - leave space between s. Close the newspaper gently.
- 4
Apply pressure and wait
Stack your newspaper-wrapped s on a flat surface. Place a piece of wood or thick cardboard on top, then pile on 10-20 pounds of books. Place in a dry area away from sunlight. Wait one full week before checking - opening too early ruins half-dried s.
- 5
Check and store
After one week, carefully open the newspaper. Plants should feel papery and completely dry. If still damp, replace with fresh newspaper and press for another 3-5 days. Store dried s flat in a notebook, envelope, or mount them on cardstock with glue.
Tips
- →Common mistake: collecting wet plants. Morning dew causes mold during pressing. Always collect in mid-afternoon when plants are completely dry.
- →Start with flat, single-layer flowers like pansies, violas, or daisies. Avoid thick flowers (roses, tulips) which hold too much moisture and turn brown.
- →Don't check your s during the first week. Disturbing half-dried plants causes wrinkles and brown spots. Patience is key.
- →Replace newspaper with fresh sheets every 2-3 days for faster drying and better color preservation. Damp paper slows the process.
- →Label your s immediately after collecting: write the date, location, and plant name (if known) on a slip of paper placed next to each .
Communities
Resources
- Ask A Biologist - Create Your Own Herbarium
Complete guide from Arizona State University on building a scientific plant collection with pressing and mounting instructions.
- Field Museum DIY Plant Pressing
Museum-quality pressing techniques explained for home hobbyists with detailed layering instructions.
- Natural History Museum Flower Pressing Guide
Comprehensive tutorial covering collection, pressing methods, and preservation tips from botanical experts.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to press plants?
Most plants dry in 7-14 days depending on thickness and moisture content. Thin flowers like pansies may be ready in 3-5 days, while thicker s need 2-3 weeks. Check after one week.
Do I need a wooden flower press?
No! Heavy books work perfectly. Stack 10-20 pounds of textbooks on your s. Wooden presses with straps are convenient but not required for beginners.
What's the most common beginner mistake?
Collecting plants when wet (morning dew or after rain). Moisture trapped in the press causes brown spots and mold. Always collect in the afternoon on dry days.
Why do my flowers turn brown?
Usually from excess moisture or thick petals. Choose flat, thin flowers for best results. Replace newspaper with dry sheets every 2-3 days to prevent browning.
Can I press any plant?
Best results come from flat flowers (daisies, pansies, violas) and ferns. Avoid thick, multi-layered blooms (roses, peonies, tulips) - they hold too much water and lose shape.
How do I preserve the color?
Dry quickly in a dark location. Press immediately after collecting, use fresh newspaper, and keep away from sunlight. Even properly pressed plants will fade slightly over time.