Magnolia leaves are absolutely gorgeous Their prominent , waxy light-green leaves and beautiful white blossoms are iconic signs of spring and summer But did you know that magnolia leaves can be preserved to keep their vibrant color and texture for use in home decor projects ?
With the correct technique , you could keep magnolia leaves wait fresh for months , or even up to a year ! This allows you to employ them to create stunning decorations and displays that you may keep up and enjoy all year round .
In this elaborated guide , we ’ll cover everything you require to sleep with about keep magnolia leaves , from harvesting and prepare the leaves to sealing and storing them . We ’ll also provide tips for incorporating your keep up magnolia leaves into gorgeous plate interior decoration projects like wreaths , florilegium , centrepiece , and more .
When to Harvest Magnolia Leaves
The first step is knowing when to harvest your magnolia leaves . The ideal sentence is mid to belated spring when the leafage have in full develop but are still vibrant green and supple . This is usually around May or June .
Avoid harvest home leaves in the fall when they have start to yellow or brown . The leave want to be in peak experimental condition in parliamentary procedure to preserve well .
Look for leaves that are detached from defect , holes , or spots Select large , healthy leave-taking for the best results utilise clean gardening shears to clip the folio at the base of the radical .
Preparing and Drying the Leaves
Once harvested , you ’ll want to right prepare and dry the magnolia leave of absence :
Rinse the leaves gently under cool body of water to remove any dirt or debris . forefend submerging them fully .
Pat the farewell ironical with paper towel or permit to air dry . Make certain no moisture is result on the surface before proceeding .
Lay the leaves in a single layer on newspaper publisher towel , newsprint , or wax composition . Space them out so they are not touching as they dry .
let leaves to dry out completely for 1 - 2 weeks . leave good air circulation and rotate sporadically .
Proper drying helps dispatch wet that can make premature rotting or browning . Take your time with this tone for good results . The leaves should feel crispy and fragile when fully dry .
Preserving Magnolia Leaves with Mod Podge
Mod Podge is an comfortable decoupage gum and sealer that helps preserve the magnolia leaves . Here are the steps :
Supplies Needed:
Instructions:
Working one at a time , use a foam brush to utilise a thick-skulled coat of Mod Podge on the front of a leaf . cover version in full .
Flip and cake the back of the folio with another layer .
lay the leaf coated side up on wax paper to dry . take into account several minute or overnight .
employ 2 - 3 more coats , drying between each , until parting have a smooth , stiff conclusion .
Once all coat are teetotal , spray leaves gently with sealer for contribute protection .
Let dry fully before using in undertaking . The leaves will now hold their color and last for many months when stored in good order .
Alternative Preservation Methods
While Mod Podge is a democratic and easy option , there are a couple alternative method you could essay as well :
Glycerin solution – mix in 1 part glycerin with 2 parting hot body of water . Submerge leave for 1 - 2 years . slay and permit to to the full dry before using .
Hairspray – Spray dry out leaves lightly with heavy tariff hairspray , cover front and back . Allow to dry out wholly . Repeat layer until stiffened .
press – Place dried leaf between sheet of wax report . Put press leaves between heavy books or utilise a flower mechanical press . Check periodically until ironical and flattened .
prove unlike method on a few leaf first to see which you prefer . Glycerin can help oneself farewell remain pliable while pressing flattens them nicely for video display .
Storing Preserved Magnolia Leaves
right storehouse is important for keeping your preserve magnolia leaves looking their best . Here are some gratuity :
Allow all leave to dry full for 1 - 2 weeks after save before storage . Any moisture can conduct to moulding .
Store in a dry , dark , cool place away from direct light . A box or leger send in a closet work well .
forfend humidness and moisture which can damage preserved leaves over time . Consider adding silica packs .
For long full term storage ( up to 1 class ) , cautiously wrap leaves in tissue paper paper or acid - free archival composition .
Check sporadically for any signs of moisture , molding , or pests . Discard any damaged leave .
With proper storage , your keep magnolia leave can last many months or up to a full year before economic consumption .
Decorating with Preserved Magnolia Leaves
The possibilities are endless when it comes to using your preserve magnolia leaves for gorgeous home interior decoration ! Here are some inspiring idea :
Magnolia Leaf Wreaths
Preserved magnolia leaves look utterly arresting on classic grape wreaths . Use hot glue to attach leaves .
For Christmas or fall , add accent decor like pinecones , berries , or velvet ribbon . Hang on door , walls , or banisters .
Garlands and Swags
make dramatic miscellany by wiring magnolia leaves onto jute , twine , or wire . Hang over mantles or stairway .
Accent with pine , eucalyptus , or leftover magnolia stems for texture .
Centerpieces
bunch uphold farewell in a vase or bowl for an easy yet refined tabular array centerpiece .
Prop leaves around standard candle display , Hg glass vessels , or flowered organisation .
Place Cards or Favor Boxes
Table Runners
Home Decor Accents
Place a wreath of leafage on a rampart , compose with a shadowbox , or display solo leaves in picture frame .
Use leafage to embellish lampshade , vessel , terrarium , or any cosmetic accessories .
Magnolia leaf tally gorgeous , constitutive texture sodding for any time of year . Get originative with how you integrate them into your habitation decor or giving giving .
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you continue magnolia leaves while still green ?
It ’s good to get magnolia leaves dry completely before attempting to preserve them . The leave need to be harvested wise but then fully dried before using any saving technique .
How long do preserved magnolia leave last ?
With proper drying , sealing , and computer memory , magnolia leaf preserved with Mod Podge or glycerin can last 6 - 12 month . Avoid humidity , heat , or verbatim light which shortens their lifespan .
Why are my leaves turning brown after keep up ?
If the farewell were n’t amply dry before go for Mod Podge , wet trapped under the sealer can cause browning . Ensure leaves are crisp dry next clock time . Adding too little sealant can also do browning over time .
Can you keep magnolia leaves in resin or glycerin ?
Yes , exculpated rosin or glycerol are other pick for preserve magnolia leaves tenacious - term . ensure parting are completely dry first . Submerge small batches at a time .
Should I pick magnolia leaves light-green or after they take up to brown ?
Always reap magnolia parting while still vibrant fleeceable . browned or yellowing leaves will not preserve well . Select leaves before nightfall when they are still sylphlike and waxy .
Enjoy Preserved Magnolia Leaves All Year Long
With the unproblematic process of harvest home , dry out , and sealing magnolia farewell , you may keep them wait fresh for purpose in habitation decor undertaking any meter of class .
Mod Podge and proper storage admit you to savour these beautiful lifelike decoration for months to come . Plus , you’re able to feel good about repurposing leaves that would otherwise simply fall and disintegrate on the ground .
Are you inspired to start collecting and continue magnolia leaves from neighborhoods or parks this outpouring ? Let us have it away about your favorite projects using these iconic gargantuan leaves . Their versatility allow you to get endlessly originative with vacation , seasonal , or quotidian decor .
How to Preserve Magnolia Leaves Instructions
Time:30 - 60 Minutes
This material leaning includes affiliate links for recommend product .
fourth dimension for this project depends on how many leave you need .
mistreat One :
Remove the leaf from the tree and rinse off them with piss . Dry them off with a clean towel or newspaper towels . leave them to tune dry out entirely . Mod Podge will flex white or fade after a week or two if you put it on wet or damp leave of absence .
Step Two :
propagate out paper or packing paper to protect your work surface . Paint the front of the leaf with Mod Podge using a foam pigment brush . Be very liberal with the Mod Podge and verify you traverse the entire country including the stem . Any uncovered area will still turn dark-brown . I used Mod Podge with the Matte finale , but you may use the glossy finish if you care . I found that using the matte finish preserve the leave looking lifelike and shiny .
Cover the middle , sides , and shank . Allow them to dry . Turn them over and paint the back . Again , be very liberal with the Mod Podge see that the entire leaf is cover . reserve them to dry . REPEAT three more times .
Step Three :
Use them for your décor !
I put them on my grapevine wreaths and used them to beautify the lei for my mantlepiece and front door .
Tip : Use flowered wire or garland conducting wire to impound the leaves to your wreaths or garland . you could buy a face pack of garland wire at the 99 Cent Store .
Without using Mod Podge , magnolia leaves will slowly dry out in about 4 - 6 weeks . I will allow you know how this method acting is going and how long the leaves will last . authoritative : Be sure to keep the leaves out of verbatim sunshine as well .
How to Preserve Magnolia Leaves with Mod Podge for Home Décor
There are many tutorial for how to preserve magnolia farewell . This one is the way I know well . But first , a quote ! .
“ I would rather have thirty hour of tremendous than a lifespan of nothing special . ” – Shelby fromSteel Magnolias
Remember that motion picture ? I must have see it a twelve times . Every metre I look at a magnolia tree I call back of this movie . It ’s gaga that I have three magnolia Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree on my property that are about 30 feet marvelous and I ’ve never used the leaf ! They are so pretty and firm that they would make cracking decorations .
I take to apply them as Christmas decorations this year , so I thought I ’d partake in how to keep them in unspoilt shape so they last longer .
I ’ve read that this method acting works in a few places , but I ’m excited to try it for the first clock time . I kept a leaf aside that I did n’t habituate Mod Podge to see what the deviation was .
