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How to Preserve Leaves with Mod Podge

Learn how to preserve leaves with Mod Podge! This is the perfect way to keep the color in leaves of all kinds. Get the how-to here.

How to preserve fall leaves with Mod Podge

I actually get asked this question quite a bit – how can you preserve fall leaves? Can it be done with Mod Podge? And the answer to the question is yes!

But I have to be honest. I completely forgot why leaves change color in the first place! And please don’t laugh at me . . . I have a forestry degree . . . but if you don’t use it, I guarantee you lose it!

“The chlorophyll breaks down, the green color disappears, and the yellow to orange colors become visible and give the leaves part of their fall splendor. At the same time other chemical changes may occur, which form additional colors through the development of red anthocyanin pigments.”

SUNY College of Environment and Forestry

So there’s the official answer. And yes, something about Mod Podge stops the leaves from changing and crumbling and preserves them exactly the way they are. Is it a chemical reaction? I’m not sure.

I’d like to think it’s simply the magic that is Mod Podge. Learn how Shannon preserves her leaves with the complete tutorial below.

How to preserve fall leaves at Rosyscription


Yield: 12 leaves

How to Preserve Leaves

How to Preserve Leaves

Learn how to preserve fall leaves with Mod Podge! It's so easy, even a kid can do it.

Prep Time 5 minutes
Active Time 15 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Difficulty Easy
Estimated Cost $0

Materials

  • Leaves - freshly picked
  • Mod Podge Gloss
  • Wax paper

Tools

  • Paintbrush

Instructions

  1. Lay a piece of wax paper on your work surface.
  2. Brush a liberal coating of Mod Podge on one side of a leaf. Let dry and apply another coat. Let dry.
  3. Repeat step 2 on the other side.
  4. Let dry overnight before using in projects or home decor.

Did You Make This Project?

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This post is part of our fall crafts for adults and Dollar Tree fall crafts. If you like this idea, here are a few other autumn ideas with Mod Podge you might like to try:

Kelley

Thursday 10th of November 2022

One thing to add. I found some BEAUTIFUL leaves that were already dry and starting to get crunchy. I soaked them in a sink of water and rehydrated them. They were as good as new!!

Kelley

Thursday 10th of November 2022

Can you press them after they have mod podged? Or can they be framed under glass to make a wall hanging?

Amy

Saturday 26th of November 2022

If you press them after Mod Podging, use wax paper so nothing sticks. And yes, they can be framed under glass.

Becca

Saturday 22nd of October 2022

Hello - I did this with fresh magnolia leaves last night. However, this morning, most of the leaves had turned brown. It was a bummer. Any idea why?

Amy

Wednesday 26th of October 2022

Depending on the leaves, they may still lose their color. Some more than others and magnolia leaves must just turn brown!

Pat

Wednesday 29th of June 2022

What is the best Mod Podge to use to preseve the leaves. Will it work on dried leaves pasted into a book

Amy

Saturday 9th of July 2022

Gloss or Matte is fine! Yes, but the pages can be tacky and stick together so I'd do a clear acrylic sealer over the top. Or use the Matte version of Mod Podge.

Sarah

Saturday 10th of April 2021

Thank you for the great idea! I gotta try this with my four leaf clovers.. just in case anyone else is trying this too, make sure you still press them in a book first to keep their shape and color. And FYI ( Don't Laminate them), I thought it was a genius idea... and yeah Complete fail! They break down and turn a horrible brown sludge. Good luck. <3

Amy

Sunday 11th of April 2021

Oh my gosh I never would have guessed lamination would cause them to turn into a sludge! Glad you found this post. :)

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