How to Dry Leaves

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People often dry the leaves to decorate handicrafts or preserve herbs for cooking. There are many ways to dry plant leaves, so it’s a good idea to spend some time trying and choosing the ones that work best for your purposes. Fortunately, most treatments require only materials that are easy to find or readily available at home.

Table of Contents

Dry leaves to make decorative crafts

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Dry the leaves if you don’t need to flatten them. Place leaves in a shallow container or tie them in bundles. Leave in the sun for a few days, checking every day or every other day to see if the leaves are drying out. Leaves will dry out in the sun, but the edges may curl. Curly leaves can be difficult to use in some crafts, but with dried flowers is beautiful.

Do not expose the leaves to direct sunlight if you want to keep the natural green color of the leaves. Leaves will fade and lose their vibrant color when exposed to direct sunlight.
Wind blowing from a fan or from a window will help the leaves dry faster.

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Pressing leaves is a slow but simple drying method. Clip one or more small leaves between 2 sheets of tissue, making sure none of them overlap, then squeeze in a large book, such as an encyclopedia. Close the book and put it neatly somewhere. Add a stack of books or a sturdy weight on top. Check once a week to see if the leaves are dry and change the paper towels if damp.

If the leaves are wet from the rain, you must dry them with a paper towel first. Add a few more layers of paper towels if the leaves are too wet or if you’re afraid the book will get dirty. ^{[1] X Research Source}
If you want to press multiple leaves in the same book, remember to clip the leaves several pages apart with a thickness of about 3mm so that they are heavy enough to squeeze each leaf.

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Use a flower press if you want faster. You can buy a large flower press that you can use to press leaves, or you can make your own out of plywood and cardboard. This is more expensive and requires more materials than simply pressing in a book, but better air circulation can help the leaves dry several days faster.

Spread the leaves between 2 sheets of paper towels, then sandwich between 2 sheets of blotting paper or several more layers of paper towels. Open the flower press, place a whole stack of tissues in and close it tightly. Check every few days to change the damp paper towels and see if the leaves are dry.

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Quickly dry large, thick leaves in the microwave. Clip a thick leaf between two layers of paper towels and place on a microwave-safe plate. Microwave this dish and a small cup of water, then microwave for 30 seconds. ^{[2] X EDIS Trusted Source Go to source} . If the leaves are not yet dry, continue drying for another 10 seconds. Take out the leaves to check after each batch. ^{[3] X Research Sources}

Warning : Leaves can easily ignite in the microwave, so you should only use this method with large, thick leaves. A cup of water can help prevent this risk because part of the microwave’s energy is used to heat the water.

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Are the fresh leaves of the iron to preserve the color of the leaves. This method works best with fresh leaves that haven’t turned or have begun to dry out, but you should dry the leaves with a paper towel first if they get wet. Place a leaf between 2 sheets of wax paper, then spread a towel over it. Wait for the iron to be hot and iron on the towel, pressing down for 2-5 minutes or until one side is dry. Turn the stack of wax paper over, spread the towel over it, and repeat.

Warning : The iron will be very hot and dangerous, so children need adult help with this step.
Remember not to leave the iron in steam mode.
Once done, cut the wax paper around the leaf and peel off the two layers. The remaining wax on the leaves will preserve the color of the leaves.

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Preserve the texture of the leaves with glycerine. This only works with broad and evergreen leaves such as magnolia, lemon and eucalyptus leaves. ^{[4] X Trusted Source EDIS Go to source} This method will turn the leaves brown but still retain the softness and flexibility of the leaves. Mix 1 part glycerine to 2 parts water in a shallow dish, pouring just enough solution to cover the leaves. You can use these handmade leaves after about 4 days, or soak for a few weeks for long-term preservation. ^{[5] X EDIS Trusted Source Go to Source}

This method works because it replaces the water in the leaves with glycerine, which does not evaporate like water.
If the leaf floats, place a paper plate or something that you are not afraid to get wet on top of the leaf to let it sink under the solution.
Add more solution if the leaves are not completely submerged.

Dry herbs or tea leaves

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Wash off the sandy soil in freshly picked herb leaves. If you have a bunch of fresh herbs that seem clean and free of dust, there’s no need to wash them, but if you’ve just picked them from the garden it’s usually dusty and needs to be washed. Rinse the herb leaves under slow running water and pat dry.

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Spread the herb out to allow the water to evaporate before using any other drying method. Whether you have just washed it or the leaves are already wet, you must dry the water on the leaves. Spread the leaves on a paper towel or dish towel until there are no more water droplets on the surface of the leaves.

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Quickly dry herbs or tea leaves in small quantities in the microwave. If you want to use the herb right away, you can use this method to dry a small handful at a time. This method is also suitable for freshly brewed tea grounds. Spread small leaves or herbs between 2 sheets of dry paper towels. Dry in the microwave for 30 seconds each time until they are crisp and dry, watch for signs of impending burning. ^{[6] X Research Sources}

Fresh and thick herbs like mint and basil are not easy to microwave, unless it has been partially dried first. ^{[7] X Research Sources}

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Dry thick and hard herbs by hanging indoors. Some herbs do not have a high water content and can be dried for several weeks by tying the petioles into bundles and hanging upside down. Hang indoors in a dark place if possible, as the sun can damage the color and flavor of the herb. ^{[8] X Trusted Source National Center for Home Food Preservation Go to Source}

Herbs of this type usually have stiff or thick leaves. Among them are rosemary , parsley , sage , and thyme .
If you want to dry herbs that are soft and contain more water this way, tie them in small bundles in a paper bag. Poke a few holes in the bottom of the paper bag and hang it in a well-ventilated place to let the leaves dry faster and prevent mold. ^{[9] X Trusted Source National Center for Home Food Preservation Go to Source}

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Dry soft and moist herbs in the oven on low heat. Soft and succulent herbs need to be dried quickly to avoid mold. Remove the leaves from the stalks and spread them between two paper towels so they don’t touch each other. If needed, you can stack up to 5 layers of paper towels on top of each other, alternating between each layer of tissue paper is a layer of herbs. Place everything in an oven-safe dish and place in the oven on the lowest heat setting. ^{[10] X Trusted Source National Center for Home Food Preservation Go to source} Drying time can be up to 8 hours.

Turn the oven on just enough for the indicator light to come on.
Herbs that can be effectively dried in this way include basil , sage , bay leaf , and mint .

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When the herb leaves are crunchy and crumbly, you can store them in an airtight container. Crush herbs on your fingertips before storing or seasoning food. Store the dried herbs in an airtight container and store in a cool, dark, and dry place to preserve the flavor for as long as possible. ^{[11] X Trusted Source National Center for Home Food Preservation Go to source}

Dried herbs have a stronger flavor than fresh herbs. When using dried herbs instead of fresh herbs, you should use only 1/3 of the amount stated in the recipe; or 1/2 if basil. ^{[12] X Research Source}
Tea leaves can be dried immediately after making tea. The microwave method is the most effective, as usually you only dry a small amount. Use dried tea leaves as you would other herbs or to deodorize unpleasant odors in the home.

Make leaf veins

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Choose leaves that are thick and have prominent veins. With this method, you will remove most of the leaves, leaving only the web of veins. A hard leaf that doesn’t break easily and curl is a good choice. Freshly fallen maple or oak leaves are great for making veins, as are waxy leaves like ivy or magnolia. ^{[13] X Research Source}

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

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Wear gloves. The mixture you are using can be harmful to your skin, so wear latex or latex gloves before handling chemicals. When you’re done, be sure to rinse all tools under running water while wearing gloves.

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Add a pinch of baking soda or washing soda. These chemicals are usually available at grocery or chemical stores. Either way, you only need 2 tablespoons (30 g) is enough. ^{[14] X Research Source} These chemicals will gradually turn the leaves into powder, leaving only the stem and veins. ^{[15] X Research Source}

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Put the leaves in the pot. You can add 2 handfuls of leaves or more, as long as the leaves can be easily stirred in the pot without water spilling out.

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Bring the water to a simmer. You can lower the heat until the water bubbles up, or bring to a boil and reduce the heat to low. The mixture is almost boiling or occasionally bubbles.

If you can measure the temperature, you should try to heat it to about 80ºC.

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Simmer until the leaves dissolve, stirring occasionally. Depending on the thickness of the leaves, sometimes you have to cook all day, but usually only a few hours. Stir occasionally and check to see if the leaves soften and fall apart.

You will need to add more water as it dries up. You can also change the water and baking soda solution every 4 hours. ^{[16] X Research Source}

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Transfer the fallen leaves to a tray of cold water. A glass baking tray will be appropriate in this step, as it will help you see the operation clearly. ^{[17] X Research Source} Carefully use a spatula or other tool to place each leaf in the baking tray without overlapping.

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Use a small, stiff brush to scrape off the remaining powder on the leaves. The leaf will thin with a powdery coating on the leaf. You will have to be patient and gentle to remove this powder, leaving only a web of veins or a thin, translucent layer of leaves, depending on the type of leaf.

You may need to rinse the leaves under a gentle stream of cold water to gradually remove the powder from the leaves.

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Wash all tools while wearing gloves. Wash the pot, stirrer, and other objects that come into contact with the mixture. Remember to wear gloves and use soap and warm water.

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Dry the leaves. You can air dry the leaves on a paper towel or pat them dry and press them in a book or flower press. After 1 or 2 days, you will have a unique version of the dried leaves to craft. Because of their translucency, the veins look great on glass surfaces.

Advice

When pressing leaves with an iron, you need to use some material between the iron and the wax paper. The dish towel works well, as it doesn’t prevent the heat from creating a coating on the outside of the leaf and presses the leaf very flat. The towel also prevents wax from sticking to the hot surface of the iron.
You can buy glycerine, baking soda, or washing soda at food and chemical stores.

Warning

Always watch closely when drying leaves in the microwave. If the leaves begin to smoke or turn black, turn off the oven immediately. If other parts of the leaf are not yet dry, you can use other methods of treatment, such as pressing to complete the drying process.

Things you need

Tissue
Heavy books or
Glycerine and water or
Microwave or
Iron and wax paper or

Make leaf veins

Pot
Water
Baking soda or washing soda
Glass baking tray
Spoon and/or stirrer
Small brush

Steps