How to Keep Magnolia Leaves Fresh – A Complete Guide

Magnolia trees are known for their large aromatic flowers and glossy green leaves. The leaves in particular make beautiful additions to floral arrangements and home decor. However magnolia leaves tend to dry out and lose their vibrancy quickly after being cut. Preserving their freshness can be tricky.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk through the best methods for keeping magnolia leaves fresh for as long as possible. Whether you want to use them in a centerpiece wreath or other decorative project, follow these tips to maximize their lifespan.

Why Magnolia Leaves Dry Out Quickly

Before diving into preservation techniques, it’s helpful to understand why magnolia leaves are so prone to drying. There are a few key reasons

• Thin structure – Magnolia leaves have a thin, delicate structure that causes them to lose moisture rapidly. This quick water loss leads to dried leaves.

• Lack of water conduits – Unlike some thicker leaves, magnolias do not have many internal water conduits or veins. This makes it harder for them to retain moisture.

• Large surface area – The wide, flat shape of magnolia leaves means there is a lot of surface area through which water can evaporate.

• Stomata on both sides – Stomata are tiny pores on the underside of leaves that allow them to take in carbon dioxide and release oxygen and water vapor. Magnolia leaves have stomata on both sides, leading to faster dehydration.

Knowing what makes magnolia leaves prone to drying gives us clues about how to keep them fresh longer. The key is slowing water loss.

Start with Fresh, Healthy Leaves

The first step to long-lasting magnolia leaves is choosing fresh, healthy ones. Look for leaves with these qualities:

• Vibrant green color with no brown spots
• Smooth texture with no holes or tears
• Recently grown leaves near the tips of branches
• Harvested in the morning when full of moisture

Avoid any leaves that are partly brown, feel dry or brittle, or show signs of disease or damage. The newer the growth, the better chance it has of retaining freshness when cut.

Use clean, sharp pruners or scissors when harvesting leaves. Make cuts at an angle to maximize the water uptake area. Immediately place cut leaves in a bucket of cool water to prevent air exposure while you collect more.

Keep Stems Long

An easy way to extend the life of magnolia leaves is leaving longer stems attached. The stems allow the leaves to take in more water for longer.

Aim for stems around 4-6 inches long if possible. Cutting the stems too short severely limits water intake capacity. Recut stems by about 1 inch every 2-3 days as needed to expose fresh xylem tissue.

When arranging leaves, try to keep as much of the stem submerged in water as you can. This simple step makes a big difference!

Use Floral Preservatives

Adding floral preservatives to the water prolongs magnolia leaf freshness. These contain sugars, acidifiers, and biocides to:

• Provide nutrients
• Inhibit bacterial growth
• Extend water uptake

Commercial preservatives like Floralife work well. For a homemade option, try mixing:

• 2 Tbsp lemon juice (acidifier)
• 1 Tbsp sugar (nutrients)
• 1⁄4 tsp bleach (biocide) into 1 quart water

Change the water and add more preservative every 2-3 days. Keep out of direct sunlight to limit water loss through the leaves.

Glycerin Preservation

Glycerin preservation is an easy DIY method to keep magnolia leaves supple and lifelike for weeks or months. Here is the process:

1. Heat 2 cups water to 135°F.
2. Mix in 1 cup glycerin until fully dissolved.
3. Place leaves in baking dish and pour mixture over to submerge.
4. Weight leaves down to keep fully immersed.
5. Soak 2-6 days until leaves turn translucent.
6. Remove and reshape leaves; allow to dry completely.

The glycerin solution replaces the leaves’ moisture and keeps them flexible. Make sure leaves are thoroughly dried before using for arrangements. Store extra solution in an airtight container for future use.

Press Between Books

Pressing magnolia leaves between the pages of heavy books is another preservation technique. Here is how:

1. Place leaves between sheets of paper towel or blotting paper.
2. Stack sheets in a thick book like a phone book or dictionary.
3. Place heavy books or weights on top to press leaves flat.
4. Allow 2-4 weeks for leaves to fully dry and flatten.

Check leaves periodically; change paper towels if moist. Once dried, leaves will retain their green color and shape. This works best for smaller leaves. Use pressed leaves for shadow boxes, bookmarks, wall art, and more.

Laminating

Laminating seals magnolia leaves between sheets of clear plastic to prevent air exposure and moisture loss. Steps include:

1. Place leaf face down on laminating sheet.
2. Cover with another sheet and run through laminator according to machine directions.
3. Once cooled, trim laminated leaf from excess plastic edges.

The leaf remains flexible but protected inside the plastic. Laminated magnolia leaves make nice place cards, bookmarks, gift tags, and framed art.

Wax Preservation

Wax preservation is a more complex but beautiful way to showcase magnolia leaves. Follow these steps:

1. Press leaves first between absorbent papers for 1-2 weeks until flattened and dry.
2. Melt paraffin or beeswax in double boiler; dip dried leaves carefully for 20-30 seconds.
3. Remove leaves and allow wax to dry completely before handling.
4. Buff leaves lightly with a soft cloth to remove any gray wax film.

The wax adds a lovely sheen and hardens the leaves. Use as-is or decorate the wax surface. Wax leaves make great holiday tree ornaments. Handle waxed leaves carefully to avoid breaking.

Mod Podge Sealant

Mod Podge is an easy-to-use acrylic sealer and adhesive that preserves magnolia leaves’ color and flexibility when brushed over both sides of the leaf. Here is the process:

1. Choose fresh, fully dried magnolia leaves.
2. Paint a thick layer of Mod Podge on the front of the leaf.
3. Let dry 2-4 hours until clear and tacky.
4. Flip leaf and coat backside; let dry again.
5. Apply 2-3 more coats on both sides for best protection.

The seals moisture in and prevents air exposure. Use a matte finish for a natural look. Coated leaves will last for many months.

Press in Silica Gel

Silica gel packets readily absorb moisture. Pressing magnolia leaves between sheets of this desiccant can dry them quickly. Steps include:

1. Place leaves between sheets of paper towel.
2. Arrange silica gel packs around the leaves.
3. Seal presses leaves and silica gel in rigid frames or between heavy books.
4. Check weekly; change silica gel if moisture is absorbed.

In about 3-6 weeks, the leaves should be completely dried and flattened for use in arrangements and art projects.

Dip in Glycerin and Alcohol

For glossy magnolia leaves with nice flexibility, try this glycerin and alcohol dip:

1. Mix 1 part glycerin, 1 part vodka or grain alcohol, and 1 part water.
2. Submerge magnolia leaves in mixture for 1-2 minutes until translucent.
3. Remove leaves and gently shake off excess liquid.
4. Shape leaves as desired and allow to fully dry overnight before using.

The glycerin helps leaves hold their shape while the alcohol quickly desiccates them. Store leftover dip in an airtight container.

Iron Between Towels

A simple way to dry magnolia leaves is pressing between towels and gently ironing. Follow these steps:

1. Place leaf between two lint-free cotton towels.
2. Set iron to medium heat and place on top of top towel. Avoid direct contact.
3. Apply light pressure and move iron slowly over the leaf for 20-30 seconds.
4. Check leaf; repeat if still moist. Let cool before handling.

The iron’s heat draws moisture from the leaf into the towels. Small and medium leaves work best for ironing. Use dried leaves immediately in any decor or art projects.

Avoid Direct Sunlight and Heat

No matter which preservation method you choose, keep your magnolia leaves out of direct sunlight and away from heat sources. Light and heat cause the leaves to dehydrate too quickly.

Store finished leaves in a cool, dark place until you are ready to use them. For extra protection, slip leaves into sleeve bags or place between sheets of acrylic. Handle with care, as they can become brittle once fully dried.

With the right techniques, you can keep your prized magn