How to Press Ferns

Co-authored by wikiHow Staff

Last Updated: September 15, 2021 References

Pressed ferns are a pleasant addition to pressed flower art and other crafts. To press ferns, harvest ferns when they're dry. Place the ferns between two sheets of wax paper. You can then use a book or a flower press to press the ferns together to dry them out. After a few weeks, remove your pressed ferns and enjoy your creation.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Harvesting Your Ferns

1
Harvest ferns when they're dry. Flowers that have a lot of dew stuck to them will not press well, as they'll be hard to dry out. Strive to pick ferns late in the morning, after the dew has dried, or in the early evening.^{[1]
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2
Pick the freshest ferns. The fresher the ferns, the more attractive they'll be after being preserved. Look for ferns that have either just bloomed or are still in the bud form. Avoid any ferns that are already wilting.^{[2]
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3
Use your fingers to remove the ferns. You can use your fingers to pick ferns by snapping the stems near the base of the leaves you want. The stems should snap easily. If they don't snap after being bended a couple of times, move your fingers up slightly. The stem will probably snap easier higher up on the plant.^{[3]
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4
Place your ferns between newspapers. It's easy to damage plants while transporting them home. To prevent this, carry a few pieces of newspaper or similar materials with you when harvesting ferns. Place your ferns between the newspaper to carry them home.^{[4]
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- You can also use a magazine or folders.
5
Trim any unwanted leaves. When you get your ferns home, take them out and examine them. Use a pair of scissors or shears to snip off any unwanted or broken leaves so they look fresh and attractive.^{[5]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Using a Book

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Place your flowers between pieces of absorbent paper. Craft stores sell blotting paper, which is specifically designed to be used in projects such as pressing flowers. Lay the leaves and flowers from your ferns down flat on a sheet of blotting paper. Place another sheet of blotting paper over your ferns.^{[6]
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2
Close your flowers between the pages of the book. Choose a thick, heavy book for the process. Something like an encyclopedia or a heavy biography works well. Place the papers containing your ferns roughly in the middle of the book and then close it.^{[7]
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- It's also a good idea to label the book with the type of flowers you're pressing and the date.
3
Weigh down the book. Set the book in a safe place where it will not be disturbed. Place heavy items on the book, such as paperweights or other heavy books. The extra weight helps with the pressing process.^{[8]
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4
Remove the ferns when they're done. Check the ferns after two to three weeks.^{[9]
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Using a Flower Press

1
Drill holes in plywood. Take two pieces of 9 by 12 inch (23 by 30 centimeters) plywood. You can purchase these at most hardware stores. Use a power drill to drill a hole in each corner.^{[11]
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- The precise size of each hole doesn't matter as long as you can fit wing nuts into the hole later.
2
Place your ferns between two pieces of paper. Purchase blotting paper at a craft store. Lay your fern leaves flat against one sheet of paper. Then, top this sheet of paper with a second sheet.^{[12]
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3
Sandwich the ferns between the plywood. Place the blotting paper that contains your ferns on one piece of plywood. Place the other piece of plywood on top of the first, sandwiching the ferns between your press.^{[13]
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Close your flower press with wing nuts. You can buy wing nuts at any hardware store. Screw your wing nuts into each hole. Twist the ends of the wing nuts to close your flower press tightly.^{[14]
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5
Remove the ferns after about a month. Place your press somewhere where it will not be disturbed. Leave it for about three to four weeks so the ferns can dry out. When your ferns are done, they should be crisp, delicate, and dry to the touch.^{[15]
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Community Q&A

Question

Do they all turn brown?

T. Chinsen

Top Answerer

Make sure the leaves dry as quickly as possible to prevent them turning brown. A lot of absorbent paper like newsprint it can help keep the color in the leaves.
Question

Can I iron other plants and flowers, or just ferns?

Community Answer

Yes. You can do other plants, too.
Question

Do I need to spray the ferns with anything?

Community Answer

You don't need to put anything on your ferns before you press them. Afterwards, you may want to spray them with a acrylic sealer of some sort to make them less fragile.