The best way to preserve leaves: Comparison of 3 different methods

Perhaps the most enduring symbol of fall is the changing colors of the leaves on the trees. In our area, the leaves generally don’t begin changing color much until at least late September, but sometimes not even until late October. Last year we collected a number of beautiful fall leaves, and we thought it would be fun to try different ways of preserving them.

The trouble was figuring out what the best way to preserves leaves is! I read about several different methods online. Ultimately, we decided to test out three different methods for preserving leaves to see which method we liked best.

Note: For more leaf activities, see my Botany Unit Study page. 

Our whole adventure started with a trip to a local park where were collected a nice variety of fall leaves. We then sorted the leaves by type. We took one sample of each type of leaf to use with each of our three leaf preservation methods.

Method #1: Preserving leaves through lamination

The first method we attempted was to preserve the leaves by laminating them. I pulled out our awesome home laminator and a bunch of laminating pouches. I placed as many leaves as would fit into each laminating pouch and ran it through the laminator. The laminator struggled a bit with some of the stiff and bumpy leaves, but otherwise handled the job fairly well.

I then cut around the leaves, leaving a bit of laminating plastic around each to maintain a seal around the leaf.

We generally liked the results. The leaves were shiny and smooth from the plastic. They felt very sturdy, like they would hold up for a long time. However, by laminating them they lost some of their “leaf” feel, since they now felt like plastic instead of leaves. Some, but not all, of the leaves also discolored from the heat of the laminator machine, very quickly turning a dark brown.

Method #2: Preserving leaves with wax paper

In an attempt to preserve the leaves with wax, I placed the leaves between two sheets of wax paper and we ironed them between a towel. (Note: an adult should carefully supervise if children are allowed to use the iron. Use good judgement when deciding whether your children are ready to use an iron.)

We ironed and ironed and ironed for what seemed like a very long time, but never got the results we had hoped. There were problems regardless of whether we left the wax paper on or took it off.

Leaving the wax paper was not appealing because the color of the leaves was so muted by the wax paper. Plus, the wax paper didn’t hold together well like the laminating pouches, but just started falling off the leaves. However, taking the wax paper off the leaves didn’t seem to work either, since when we took the wax paper off it was clear that very little wax had transferred to the leaves in order to preserve them.

So this method was a bust for us. But I’ve read that it has worked for others. Maybe we just had a bad brand of wax paper?

Method #3: Preserving leaves with glycerin

The third method we tried was to preserve the leaves with glycerin. I placed a handful of leaves in the bottom of a container. I then added enough glycerin to cover them. I put another container on top and weighed it down with a jar in order to ensure the leaves would stay submerged in the glycerin.

We left the leaves in the glycerin for a week. It may be possible to leave them in for less time, but based on information I’ve read online I would recommend leaving them in for at least 3 days. When we removed them from the glycerin, we placed them on paper towels to let them dry.

We were generally pleased with the results. The leaves maintained a more natural feel. They remained pliable and had their regular texture, unlike the laminated leaves. Some of the glycerin-preserved leaves became discolored soon after they were removed from their glycerin bath.

Best way to preserve leaves: The results

After our experiment with finding the best way to preserve leaves, the kids and I discussed our results.

XGirl like the laminated leaves best, as she enjoyed the very glossy feel. She also liked how sturdy they were.

QBoy, on the other hand, preferred the glycerin soaked leaves for their more leaf-like feel.

I found benefits to both methods. The laminated leaves were very sturdy, and might work best if the leaves were to be used in any capacity in which the kids could be rough on them. The glycerin leaves, however, definitely felt more natural, so would be best when a more natural feeling leaf was desired.

We all agreed that the wax paper leaves did not work.

One year later

One year later, both the glycerin and the laminated leaves continue to be in good shape. I had wondered how much decomposition would take place, but both the laminated leaves and the glycerin-soaked leaves continue to look virtually as they did when we did this experiment one year ago.

For more information about preserving leaves, see:

• How to preserve leaves from Buggy and Buddy
• Preserving leaves from Home Training Tools

More resources for learning about leaves

More leaf posts from Gift of Curiosity:

• The best way to preserve leaves
• Leaf anatomy
• How leaves “breathe”: A transpiration demonstration
• How leaves get water
• How and why leaves change color in the fall
• Leaf collages art project
• Leaf rubbings activity book
• Fall leaves Sudoku
• Fall leaves lacing cards

For more leaf activities, see my Botany Unit Study page and my Leaves Unit Study Pinterest board. 

Follow Katie @ Gift of Curiosity’s board Unit Ideas: Leaves on Pinterest.

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