There’s something deeply calming about pressing flowers and leaves - a way to treasure the changing seasons and preserve the colors of nature in a lasting form. Whether you’re making botanical art, handmade nature-inspired gifts, or simply enjoying the creative process, learning to press botanicals is a beautiful and meaningful craft.
As a Melbourne-based maker of botanical homewares and host of flower pressing and floral art workshops, I’ve seen how this practice brings people closer to nature — one petal or leaf at a time.
🌿 Why Press Flowers and Leaves?
Pressed florals are delicate and timeless — but pressed leaves? They carry the quiet poetry of autumn walks, garden moments, and shifting seasons. I use both in my handcrafted botanical pieces and they are truly loved as very special gifts.
Leaves like maple, eucalyptus, or fern fronds bring stunning texture and color - especially when they turn rust, red, or golden. It’s a beautiful way to celebrate nature year-round, just like these beautiful art pieces made with pressed flowers and leaves in one of my flower pressing and floral art workshops.
💐 3 Easy Ways to Press Flowers and Leaves
No matter your tools or experience, here are three easy techniques to press your botanicals:
1. 📖 Pressing in Books
Perfect for: Beginners and nature lovers using what they already have
- Pick flowers or leaves when they’re dry and freshly collected.
- Place them between two sheets of plain copy paper (or directly between the pages of an old, absorbent book).
- Close the book and stack additional books on top to add weight.
- For the first few days, check on your botanicals and replace the paper or move them to new dry pages if needed.
- Let them press for 1–3 weeks.
2. 🌡️ Microwave Pressing
Perfect for: Fast results and vibrant color
- Sandwich flowers or leaves between sheets of absorbent paper, placed inside two pieces of cardboard, with some added weight at the top.
- Heat for 30 seconds at a time, repeating the process 3-4 times as needed and supervise closely to avoid overheating.
- Allow to cool and check carefully - they should feel dry and papery.
3. 🌼 Traditional Flower Press
Perfect for: Consistent results and frequent pressing
- Place your botanicals between sheets of absorbent paper inside a flower press.
- Tighten the press to flatten everything evenly.
- As with the book method, check after a few days and replace the paper if damp.
- Leave pressed for 2–3 weeks in a dry, cool spot.
🍂 Pressing the Seasons Into Art
Watching leaves shift from green to rust, or a summer bloom captured in floral art, is a beautiful way to stay connected to nature. Pressing flowers and leaves lets you preserve these moments and turn them into art.
Use your pressed botanicals in:
- Framed botanical wall art
- Resin coasters and ring dishes
- Handmade bookmarks or cards
- Seasonal DIY gifts
- Nature-based creative projects
🎨 Want to Learn More?
If you’re curious to try it yourself, join one of my botanical art and flower pressing workshops in Melbourne. You’ll learn how to press a variety of botanicals — from delicate petals to sculptural leaves — and turn them into meaningful, lasting keepsakes.
Join My Flower Pressing And Floral Art Workshop in Melbourne