DIY Fall Leaf Garland with Preserved Real Leaves
Real autumn leaves, preserved so they stay soft and colorful, strung on twine for your mantel, doorway or Thanksgiving table.
By the HotsBuzz team ·
- Skill levelEasy
- Time2 hours active, plus 2-5 days preserving
- Budget$5-$15
- Steps8
A fall leaf garland made from real leaves has a depth of color that paper or plastic can’t quite copy. The catch is that fresh leaves curl, crumble and fade within days. Preserving them first, either with a glycerin soak or a quick dip in wax, keeps them flexible and bright for weeks or even the whole season.
This tutorial covers both preservation methods so you can pick the one that suits your schedule, then walks through stringing a 6 ft. garland that drapes nicely over a mantel, along a table runner or across a window.
Gather more leaves than you think you need. Some will tear or brown during preserving, and a full garland uses 30-40 leaves.
Materials & tools
Tick things off as you gather them. We’ll remember your list on this device.
You’ll need
Tools
Step-by-step instructions
Pick the right leaves
Collect leaves that have just fallen or are still on the branch and fully colored. Avoid ones that are already brittle, since preserving can’t restore them. Wipe off dirt with a dry paper towel and lay them flat on newspaper.
Option 1: Soak in glycerin
Mix 1 part glycerin with 2 parts water in a shallow dish. Submerge the leaves in a single layer and weigh them down with a plate so they stay under. Let them soak for 2-5 days, until they feel soft and slightly supple.
Dry the glycerin leaves
Remove the leaves and blot both sides gently with paper towels. Let them sit flat for a few hours until no longer tacky. They’ll stay pliable and keep much of their color, though some reds may darken slightly.
Option 2: Dip in wax
Press the leaves between paper in a heavy book for a day or two so they’re flat. Melt the wax in a double boiler over low heat. Holding each leaf by the stem, dip it fully for 2-3 seconds, let the excess drip off, and lay it on parchment to set in about a minute.
Lay out your pattern
Arrange the leaves on a table in the order you want them, mixing colors and sizes. Leave 2-3 in. between leaves for a loose look, or overlap them slightly for a fuller garland. Set aside a few spares.
String the garland
Thread the needle with twine, leaving 12 in. free at the end for hanging. Pierce each leaf through the stem base or the thick center vein near the top, so it hangs downward. Add a bead between leaves if you want them to stay evenly spaced.
Hang and adjust
Tie a loop at each end and hang the garland from small hooks or tape it to the back of a mantel. Slide leaves along the twine to even out gaps, and turn any that face backward.
Store it for next year
At the end of the season, lay the garland in a shallow box between sheets of tissue paper, coiling it loosely rather than folding. Add a silica gel packet if your storage area is humid. Glycerin leaves in particular often come out looking nearly as good the following fall.
Tips for success
- Hot wax can cause burns; keep the heat low, never leave melting wax unattended, and keep kids to the leaf-arranging stage.
- Never melt wax directly over a burner. Always use a double boiler or a heatproof bowl over simmering water.
- Glycerin leaves can feel slightly oily, so hang them away from fabric or light painted walls that might stain.
- Keep the finished garland out of direct sun to slow fading.
- Don’t hang a dried-leaf garland near candles or a working fireplace opening.
Make it your own
Leaf and string light garland
Wrap a strand of battery-powered LED fairy lights loosely around the finished garland. LEDs stay cool, so they’re a safer choice than plug-in incandescent strands around dried leaves.
Mod Podge leaves
If you’re short on time, brush a thin coat of decoupage glue on both sides of pressed leaves. It seals them in an afternoon, though they’ll be stiffer than glycerin leaves.
Vertical leaf strands
Instead of one long swag, string 5-6 leaves on each of several shorter lengths and hang them side by side from a branch or curtain rod for a hanging mobile look.
Mixed natural garland
Alternate preserved leaves with dried orange slices, small cinnamon sticks tied on with twine and a few cleaned pinecones. The mix adds texture and a light, warm scent that suits a Thanksgiving mantel.
Frequently asked questions
How long do preserved leaves last?
Glycerin and wax-dipped leaves usually look good through the whole fall season. Kept in a dry box out of sunlight, many will last into a second year, though colors gradually soften.
Which method keeps the best color?
Wax dipping tends to lock in bright color right away, especially for yellows and oranges. Glycerin keeps leaves softer and more natural-feeling but can deepen reds toward brown.
Can I use leaves that fell days ago?
Only if they’re still pliable. If a leaf cracks when you gently bend it, it’s too dry to preserve and is better used for confetti or potpourri.
