How to DIY Pressed Botanical Artwork

Working Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour
Skill Level: Kid-friendly

If fake plants are the only greenery you can keep alive for more than a few months, this DIY project is for you. Fill a blank wall with plants that require no upkeep using our DIY framed botanical art tutorial. These frames hold dried clippings from your garden and preserve their beauty for years to come. You can even choose to frame flowers with a special meaning, like stems from a wedding bouquet. There are several different ways you can dry flowers and press plants, including our favorite technique that preserves the flowers and leaves in minutes. Check out our steps below to press, mount, and frame botanical clippings.

What You'll Need

Equipment / Tools

1 Iron
1 Heavy book
1 Ironing board

Materials

1 Picture frame
1 Botanical clipping
1 Cloth or paper towel
1 Crafting double-sided tape
1 Kraft paper

Instructions

Prepare Plant

Once you've chosen the frame you'd like to use, place your botanical clipping on the front. Trim the stem as needed to fit within the frame. Once you've trimmed your leaf or flower to size, carefully place the clipping between two soft white cloths or paper towels. It is important that the paper towel doesn't have a pattern on it as it could transfer onto the leaf. The paper towel will absorb moisture that releases from the plant when pressed.
Press Plant

Switch an iron to its lowest setting and make sure there is no water in the iron. (Steam will add moisture to your plant clipping rather than removing it.) Make sure the clipping is flat by pressing it with a heavy book, then remove, keeping the clipping in the paper towel. Once warm, place the iron on top of the paper towel for about 15 seconds. Remove iron and wait for material to cool. Carefully lift the paper towel to check the plant's progress. Continue pressing it with the iron in 10-second increments until it is stiff and dry.

Related: How to Press Flowers to Preserve Your Favorite Blooms
Frame Plants

Once your flowers or leaves have dried, it's time for framing. Lay out your clippings on a large table to see how you want them arranged. Group multiple clippings to form a pretty collection, or stick with one clipping per frame for a uniform look. Use double-sided tape to stick the pressed plants onto a sheet of kraft paper cut to fit the frame. You may need to cut the tape into thinner strips to fit some flowers. Finish framing and hang your creation on the wall.