Learn how to create pressed flowers and foliage from houseplants. Find out about the various plants that can be pressed. Discover what type of houseplants press the best and how to press them. Learn the various steps to pressing flowers and leaves.
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Hello and welcome to healthyhouseplants.com, where we teach you all about gardening in the great indoors. If you’d like to support our show, please use our Amazon affiliate link below.
Today, we are going to talk about pressing flowers and foliage from house plants. This is a really fun hobby that also allows you to create beautiful decorations for items like cups, walls, bookmarks, coasters, and stationery. Pressed flowers are enjoyable to make, and I’m going to show you how to press them today.
People have been pressing flowers for centuries, using it as an art form since the Renaissance. More recently, Princess Grace Kelly of Monaco, a flower enthusiast and pressed flower artist, had her work featured on the stamps of Monaco. This adds a beautiful touch to many items, such as placemats, trash cans, and picture frames. I even made a clock using pressed flowers!
Pressing flowers is fairly easy. While it may look complicated, it’s actually quite simple and very pretty. You can invest in a flower press or make your own. Let me show you some flowers that I have pressed. Here, I have some African violets and foliage.
Today, we will press some foliage, including an arrowhead plant leaf and a maidenhair fern leaf. The maidenhair fern is a great specimen for pressing due to its thin foliage, which has less water content. Thick plants like succulents can be challenging to press.
As you can see, I have pressed flowers and foliage before. The results can vary in color once pressed. For instance, yellow flowers can turn a mustardy color, while red flowers may become burgundy or darker. Greens can remain vibrant, while some may take on a yellow hue. I find it exciting because I never know what the pressed plant will look like in the end!
Coffee filters are very useful for pressing flowers as they absorb moisture effectively, making them a better choice than paper towels. Additionally, there are specialty papers designed for pressing flowers.
The drying process will vary depending on the flower and the season. It typically takes one to two weeks for most flowers to dry. You’ll want to check on them weekly to ensure they are completely dry, as any moisture left can result in crinkled or less attractive pressed flowers.
For today’s demonstration, I will press an arrowhead leaf, a palm leaf, and a maidenhair fern leaf. You should feel free to experiment with other plants in your indoor garden.
Once the leaves are prepared, I place them in coffee filters, ensuring they are not crinkled. If a leaf is too large for a single filter, you may need to cut it down or use multiple filters. After placing the leaves carefully, I stack them without overlapping to allow for proper drying.
To press the leaves, I will use a heavy dictionary or bricks on top. It’s important to keep everything pressed down firmly for the best results. Rubber bands or clips can be used to secure the leaves and prevent them from moving around during the drying process.
After a week, I will check the leaves to see if they are dry. If they are not, I will leave them to dry longer. There’s no strict timeline for how long you can let them dry; you can keep them for two months if needed. Once dried, store the pressed flowers flat in transparent envelopes or plastic zipper bags in a cool, dry place away from sunlight.
Thank you for stopping by today! Please leave any comments about any indoor gardening tutorials you’d like to see. Remember to like, comment, subscribe, and share this video, and don’t forget to hit the bell for notifications on new releases!
FAQs about Pressing Flowers and Foliage
What is the best way to press flowers?
The best way to press flowers is to use a flower press or coffee filters to absorb moisture. Ensure the flowers are placed flat and avoid crinkling them.
How long does it take for pressed flowers to dry?
It generally takes one to two weeks for most flowers to dry. Check weekly to ensure they are completely dry.
Can any flower be pressed?
While many flowers can be pressed, thinner foliage works best as it contains less water. Thick flowers like succulents are harder to press.
How should I store dried pressed flowers?
Store dried pressed flowers flat in transparent envelopes or plastic zipper bags in a cool, dry location away from sunlight.
What types of items can I decorate with pressed flowers?
Pressed flowers can be used to decorate various items such as bookmarks, coasters, placemats, picture frames, and more.
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