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Save some sunshine by pressing your flowers!

11:59 am, 12/05/2025
Sad that the flower season is over for some of your faves? Why not save some of your flowers and keep them forever!? Children also love this activity and how to display the flowers has endless possibilities!
Pressing flowers is a beautiful, low-cost way to preserve the natural beauty of blooms. It’s easy to do at home with things you likely already have. Here’s a complete guide to pressing flowers without any special equipment, plus tips, flower suggestions, and creative ideas for using your pressed treasures.
What You’ll Need
  • Fresh flowers (see list of best options below)
  • Paper (blotting paper, baking paper, or plain printer paper)
  • Heavy books (e.g. phone books, textbooks, dictionaries)
  • Scissors or secateurs
  • Optional: more books or weight to add on top
Step-by-Step Guide to Pressing Flowers
  1. Pick Your Flowers Carefully Choose blooms that are dry, clean, and free of blemishes. It’s best to pick them in the late morning after the dew has dried.
  2. Prep the Flowers Trim stems. Remove bulky parts or excess leaves. For thick flowers (like roses), you can cut them in half and press the flat side down on the paper or press just the petals.
  3. Place in Paper Open a heavy book. Lay down a sheet of paper. Arrange your flowers flat without overlapping. Place another sheet or two of paper on top. Close the book gently.
  4. Add Weight Stack more heavy books or a something heavy that will give even pressure on top. Leave them in a dry place.
  5. Wait Patiently Let the flowers press for 2–4 weeks. Check after 7 days and replace the paper if it feels damp.
  6. Remove Gently Carefully peel the flowers off the paper using tweezers or your fingers.
 
Do:
  • Use paper that absorbs moisture.
  • Choose flowers that are naturally flat or small.
  • Press more than you need in case some don’t turn out.
  • Label your flowers if you plan to use them in crafts later.
Don’t:
  • Use glossy paper (like magazine pages)—it can cause mould.
  • Try to press thick, wet flowers without drying or splitting them first.
  • Rush the process—flowers need time to dry completely.
 
Best Flowers for Pressing
These flowers press well and retain colour beautifully:
  • Pansies – Flat and vibrant
  • Violas – Small and delicate
  • Daisies – Cheerful and classic
  • Fern fronds – Add green texture
  • Delphinium / Larkspur – Colourful and thin
  • Cosmos – Bright petals
  • Queen Anne’s lace – Lacy and intricate
  • Forget-me-nots – Tiny and charming
  • Hydrangea petals – Separate petals before pressing
What You Can Do with Pressed Flowers
  • Greeting cards – Glue flowers onto cardstock for handmade beauty.
  • Bookmarks – Seal in laminating sheets or between clear contact paper.
  • Framed art – Arrange pressed flowers in a frame for wall décor.
  • Decorate journals or scrapbooks – Add a botanical touch.
  • Candles or coasters – Use with resin (extra steps and materials needed).
  • Gift tags – Add natural detail to presents.
 
It’s always such a pleasure to do something so simple yet heart lifting! You never know, your book of pressed flowers may become a family heirloom! Find out the birth month flowers of your friends or family and create a family tree of flowers! The options are endless! And all it will cost you is some time and a few sheets of paper!