How to Dry Leaves

Drying leaves is a task that is often employed as a means of preparing the leaves of different herbs for use in cooking, or as part of the hobby of leaf and flower pressing. With both applications, the same techniques can be used to dry leaves and achieve the desired result. Fortunately, most processes involve using resources that are easily obtained or are already found around the house.

1. Press the leaves. Place a leaf in between 2 sheets of wax paper, and then position the sheets in the middle of a book that is slightly larger in diameter than the leaf. Shut the book and allow the leaf to remain in place for a week or so. In that time, the leaf will begin to dry out while avoiding the curling along the edges that can often occur with other drying methods.
   
   
   
2. Zap the leaves. Place a leaf between two paper towels, and lay the package flat onto amicrowave safe plate. Insert the plate into a microwave and heat the leaf on a high setting for 30-second increments until it is completely dry.
   
   
   
3. Treat the leaves with a cool glycerin bath. Combine 1 part glycerin with 2 parts water in a shallow dish. Place the leaves into the bath, making sure the surface is completely covered. Allow the leaves to soak for up to one week, noting when they begin to turn brown. Remove the leaves and pat dry with a paper towel.
   
   
   

    Glycerin bath
   • Alternatively, try a hot glycerin bath. Boil 1 part glycerin and 2 parts water, and then pour over leaves that have been placed in a heat resistant container. Place the container in a cool dark place and check every day or so. When the leaves have turned, remove from the container and pat dry with a paper towel.
4. Air-dry the leaves. Place leaves in a shallow container, and expose to direct sunlight for a day or 2. The sunlight will dry out the leaves, making it easier to use them in flower arrangements.
   
   
   
5. Iron the leaves. Place a leaf between 2 sheets of wax paper. Then use a hot iron to seal the 2 sheets. This will help preserve the colors of the leaves, making them ideal for use in pressbooks.
   
   
   

• Always watch leaves that are being dried in a microwave oven very closely. Some types of leaves are highly likely to ignite as they lose moisture. Heating the leaves in short increments helps to make it easier to determine when the leaf is sufficiently dry to finish off the process using another method.
• When pressing leaves with an iron, use some sort of material as a barrier between the iron surface and the top layer of wax paper. A kitchen towel will work very well, as it does not inhibit the transfer of heat but does allow the wax paper to create a strong seal and press the leaf completely flat. The towel will also prevent wax residue from collecting on the hot surface of the iron.

• Book
• Wax Paper
• Paper Towels
• Glycerin
• Microwave Oven
• Iron