How to Preserve Autumn Leaves with Vegetable Glycerine: A Step-by-Step Guide

[@B30pt87]

​ @Garden Moxie I want to thank you for the tip about the dishwasher rinse solution. it really does help the leaves to take up the mixture all the way through. I too can use the glycerin mix more than one time - usually twice, and sometimes three times. Except when I'm doing Oak leaves. They tend to turn the mixture brown, which then darkens any other leaves I put in it. Also, kudos for making such a nice video! Your voice is clear and calming, and this video is the best one I've seen on You Tube.

[@GardenMoxie]

Thanks for watching the video. I'm glad to hear it worked out well for you.

[@B30pt87]

I agree about maple leaves, Also, I tried Japanese maples- both the large kind and the frondy ones. I was so perplexed! The little frondy ones lost all their color, although the larger ones retained the red although they darkened considerably. I preserved some leaves (not maples) a long time ago with 50% glycerin/50% water,, put them in a box and discovered them when I was moving ten Years later! They were very dark brown, but still flexible. They did tear easily after I put them in an arrangement in front of a sunny window for a couple of weeks, & I think the sunlight was what degraded them. Still, Ten Years!

[@GardenMoxie]

It is interesting to see how the chemistry of the different leaf types react to the glycerine. Once they get exposed to air they start to fade. I found the same thing with dried flowers too. I do think it is a fun exercise to preserve leaves for a nice (albeit sometimes muted) arrangement. I like being able to decorate with nature. Thanks for watching the video and commenting.

[@jeaniemalone5304]

Beautiful! Found your channel looking for ways to preserve fall foliage for a baby shower a few weeks away. I subscribed and hope to learn gardening tips from you as well.

[@GardenMoxie]

Thanks so much for subscribing. I hope the baby shower turns out beautifully.

[@lyla.aisle.of.blooms]

Gorgeous! I hate the look of faux leaves, what a great idea to preserve real ones. Thank you for sharing!

[@GardenMoxie]

Thank you.

[@ybisnina3138]

Beautifully explained. Thank you very much.

[@GardenMoxie]

Thank you. I am glad to hear you liked the video. Thanks for watching.

[@deniseleavens9158]

Very, very helpful! Thank you so much!

[@GardenMoxie]

I'm glad you found the video helpful.

[@nonitacabaseestipona2199]

Thank you so much for shari g this. I will follow your procedure. My grade 9 grandson will be having a project , mosaic?, using dried of different kinds of dried leaves by October , next month. Nice video. You're so relax, and honest in your answers. Much appreciated😊💖

[@yubarth1]

Thank you very much for your video, it's very instructive, very detailled and helpful. I have one question, have you try to do this process on entire plants ??

[@GardenMoxie]

Thank you for your note. No...I only use this technique for autumn leaves, fern fronds, and arborvitae.

[@yubarth1]

@@GardenMoxie ok, thanks a lot for your reply.

[@GardenMoxie]

@@yubarth1 You are welcome.

[@mw3579]

Thank you so much for the video! Just a few questions though. Any reason you switched to 1:1 ratio instead of 1:2? And do you recommend 7 days or 3-4?

[@GardenMoxie]

I like using a 1:1 ratio to make sure the leaves are pliable. If you are going to try letting the stems soak up the mixture, you will need to use 1:2 so the stems can hopefully get the glycerine to the leaves. I prefer soaking the leaves vs putting stems in a vase. I simply have better results. I also recommend at least 4 days. The idea is to get the glycerine to soak into the leaves to keep them soft.

[@tomlibertiny]

Best video ever!

[@TheLimeTree]

Thank you for the video, after preserving the green leaves, could then immerse them into the oil bottle for decoration? Will they stay in the oil good?

[@GardenMoxie]

Thanks for watching my video. I have never tried placing preserved leaves in oil so I cannot say.

[@akrossmann1631]

Beech tree leaves work perfectly with the glycerin method!

[@GardenMoxie]

Thanks for the tip.

[@bogfilbogfil1392]

Beautiful 😍😍😍

[@GardenMoxie]

It is a fun project.

[@curatethedetails]

Great video! How long did the cedar branch and ferns retain their color?

[@GardenMoxie]

The cedar branch got a bit darker and stayed in good shape through the winter. It did start getting a little crunchy after that. The ferns are still in good shape. The only issue with the fern was it lost its color and turned brown. But I use them for cyanotypes so they are still usful for me.

[@susie5527]

Hello! Great video, I'm especially interested to find out if the cedar/arbor vitae turned out? If so, how long did it take those? Thank you!!

[@GardenMoxie]

Thanks so much for watching. The arborvitae turned out pretty well. It was a little crunchy, but I was able to use it for holiday decor and it kept its color longer than the non preserved cedar.

[@susie5527]

@GardenMoxie Thanks for your response! Did it take the cedar 3 days too? One more question, can you wash the cedar with dish soap and hot water afterwards so it's not so greasy? Thanks a bunch!!

[@GardenMoxie]

@@susie5527 I left the cedar soak for about a week. I have never washed the leaves so I can't provide any insight there. I was able to remove the glycerine using paper towel.

[@mendyhand3895]

Thx so much! Ferns are so delicate. Have you tried ironing with wax paper on any leaves? Maples we’re gorgeous! Only a few day left her in Georgia! - Messy Mendy 🍂🍁🌿

[@GardenMoxie]

I love the technique of using wax paper. Great idea.

[@bongmendoza1424]

That’s awesome!🥰

[@GardenMoxie]

It's such a fun project. Thanks for watching.

[@bill4786]

About 5 minutes in you added an update saying you now use one cup of glycerin and one cup of water. Why is this? Do you find the stronger concentration helps preserve the item better? Also will any soap work? Dawn for example?

[@GardenMoxie]

Hi. I changed my mixture because for me, it just works better at preserving the leaves. Any soap should work. It is just making it easier for the solution to flow into the stems. It's a fun process. Thanks for watching.

[@gabrielagabriela6560]

This method can be used for example, for flowers? Roses, marigold or chrysanthemum?

[@GardenMoxie]

I think you would be better off drying flowers in silica sand or air to preserve them. Leaves work well with glycerine because the glycerine moisturizes the leaves. A whole flower would turn mushy.

[@halimimathis6766]

Hey there nice work ! I have a CBD farm in Spain and I’m wondering if I can try this with a whole cannabis plant of 1m20 ? Maybe if I put the whole plante in a bath of glycerin and maybe alcool to stabilize it ? And maybe add a green colorant to preserve the green color ? Do you think this would work ? Thx for the answer and for the video ☺️

[@GardenMoxie]

Thanks for the note. I have no idea if that will work. I have no experience with that. I have only tried autumn leaves.

[@halimimathis6766]

@@GardenMoxie thanx for the answer but basically do you think we can try this with a full plant ? not only with branches ? thx again

[@GardenMoxie]

@@halimimathis6766 I don't think it will work.

[@ladydunkis]

It would probably work if you were to cut the branches from the trunk do them individually, and then reassemble afterwards.

[@jasminelouisefarrall]

I would like to try this 🥰

[@GardenMoxie]

This is such a fun project. They are great for decorating.

[@JoAnnBlondin]

Great idea. Where do you get the glycerine?

[@TheStockwell]

When she first showed the glycerine, she said she bought it on Amazon. She also provides product links in the description. 🐧

[@GardenMoxie]

I got it on Amazon. There is a link in the description above if you are interested.

[@Reincarnation111]

Won't it be better to use dish pan or or a rectangular foil pan instead of a round bowl so you can dunk longer stems?

[@GardenMoxie]

Great idea!

[@denise723]

Thank you most useful

[@GardenMoxie]

Glad to hear that. Thanks for watching. This is one of my favorite Autumn activities.

[@may808898]

Hi, thanks for the video. I preserved some beginning to turn yellow leaves and they came out beautiful, turning to nice yellow olive colors. A week after I dried them out I saw the edges on a few of them curled up a little. Would you know why? I used 1:2 water ratio and they were in the solution for a week. Thanks!

[@GardenMoxie]

I'm so happy to hear they worked out for you. Thanks for your note and thanks for watching the video.

[@armidaortega3487]

And after the preserve method the leaves are flexible?

[@GardenMoxie]

Yes. Once the leaves are preserved, they stay pliable. Eventually, they fade in color, but I have had luck keeping them through the season and beyond as decoration in a vase.

[@Timetraveler1111MN]

Great video I was going to get a few ounces, seeing your video; I’m getting a gallon $26 organic on amazon. ❤🍁🍎

[@GardenMoxie]

This is my absolute favorite autumn DIY.

[@Timetraveler1111MN]

@@GardenMoxie I like that you tried different types of trees, the Japanese maple was that burgundy? I saw a very bright red tree 🌳 this morning and I want to capture/time capsule.

[@GardenMoxie]

@@Timetraveler1111MN I did try the burgandy leaves of a Japanese maple. They faded to a brownish color after a couple weeks. I've had the best luck with maple leaves.

[@amck4648]

4 questions: 1. Do you think this method will work with olive leaves? 2. If so, would laying them in the solution be best? 3. Do you keep the stem ends out of the liquid on purpose? 4. Do you use hot water? Thanks!

[@Timetraveler1111MN]

@@amck4648 for leaves I used glycerine only. Wait I think I did add water. Not much. I believe it will preserve most things.

[@ChipsGreenWorld]

Very interesting stuff 🍁🌿🍂 great vlog 👍🏼😊 🌱 Chip 🌱 CHIPS WORLD

[@GardenMoxie]

Thanks Chip!

[@TheClumsybum]

Could I use this method on pine and other evergreen branches?

[@GardenMoxie]

I preserved an arborvitae branch last season. It worked well, but if your house is dry, the branches may get a little crunchy after a while. I have not tried pine needle type branches.

[@TheClumsybum]

@@GardenMoxie how long did the arborvitae branches last for you?

[@GardenMoxie]

@@TheClumsybum They last about 2 months. They still looked good after that time, but the tips were a bit crunchy. The other thing with the arborvitae is it was a little hard to wipe off all the glycerine so they had a satin finish. I thought it looked pretty, but just so you know.

[@camilleferland9773]

Would this work for preseving flowers such as roses too?

[@GardenMoxie]

I don't think this will work to preserve roses. If you want to dry roses, you can use silica which is an effective method to preserve flowers.

[@SP-ig3vs]

did u just put them in a vase with water?

[@GardenMoxie]

The leaves in the vase are preserved. They have no water. They will hold their color for a few months like this after they are preserved in glycerine.

[@ellan394]

How long do these last for?

[@GardenMoxie]

For me, if I do not expose them to cold (like hanging them on an outside door during winter) they will last all winter for me.

[@DoraCamarena]

So it only last for one season??

[@GardenMoxie]

They will start to fade depending on the type of foliage. I found maple leaves and oak leaves last the longest, but for me, they were done by the end of the season.

[@ladyflimflam]

Is that rinse agent just citric acid?

[@GardenMoxie]

Hi. I am not sure of all the ingredients. I just grabbed the rinse aid I use in my kitchen for dishes. It works to help the glycerine mix into the water. At least that is what Martha Stewart says 😉. I originally learned about it from one of her Living magazine articles.

[@donalddivino5085]

to much talk but approved