Pressed flower frames capture the delicate beauty of real blooms and turn them into lasting botanical wall art. This is one of those rare crafts that looks sophisticated and difficult but is actually very simple — the main ingredient is patience while the flowers dry. Once you have a collection of pressed specimens, assembly takes less than an hour and the result is a piece of natural, organic home decor that never goes out of style. If you enjoy botanical and nature-inspired crafts, our Home Decor category is full of projects that bring the outdoors inside.
What You Will Need
- Fresh flowers and leaves — pansies, violas, daisies, ferns, and herb sprigs press beautifully
- Heavy books or a flower press
- Blotting paper or plain newsprint (not printed newspaper)
- A picture frame with a flat glass front — 20 × 25 cm or A4 size works well
- Plain white or cream cardstock or watercolour paper for backing
- Tweezers
- Clear-drying craft glue or Mod Podge
- A fine paintbrush for applying glue
Project Info
- Difficulty: Easy
- Time: 1 hour active; 2 weeks pressing time
- Cost: $5–$15 depending on frame style
Step 1: Choose and Pick Your Flowers
Pick flowers on a dry day, ideally in the mid-morning after any dew has evaporated. Thin-petalled flowers press most successfully: pansies, violas, daisies, Queen Anne’s lace, lavender sprigs, and individual rose petals all work beautifully. Avoid very thick, fleshy blooms like succulents or large roses (press the individual petals separately instead). Leaves and ferns add a wonderful variety of shape and texture — gather a range of sizes.
Step 2: Press the Flowers
Place each flower face-down on a sheet of blotting paper. Arrange them so petals are spread flat and none overlap. Cover with another sheet of blotting paper, then stack inside a heavy book or flower press. Add weight on top — a stack of three or four large books is ideal. Leave undisturbed for at least two weeks. Check at the two-week mark; if any moisture remains, replace the blotting paper and leave for another week. Fully dried flowers will feel papery and slightly translucent.
Step 3: Plan Your Composition
Once your flowers are pressed and dry, disassemble the frame and lay the backing card on your work surface. Arrange your pressed flowers and leaves on the card without glue first — this is your chance to experiment with layout. Try a loose, asymmetric botanical spread, a tight central wreath shape, or a corner-cluster design with open negative space. Photograph your arrangement before you start gluing so you can refer back to it.
Step 4: Glue the Flowers in Place
Using tweezers to handle the delicate flowers, lift one piece at a time. Apply a tiny amount of clear-drying craft glue to the back of each piece using a fine paintbrush, then gently press it back into position. Work from the background elements (large leaves) forward to the focal flowers. Allow to dry flat for at least 30 minutes. Pressed flowers are fragile — work slowly and resist the urge to slide them into position once placed.
Step 5: Seal and Frame
Once the glue is dry, you can optionally apply a very thin layer of Mod Podge over the entire surface to seal and protect the flowers. Apply with a wide, soft brush using light strokes; avoid going back over areas that have started to dry as this can smear. Leave to cure for one hour, then reassemble the frame with your botanical artwork inside. The glass will provide further protection against moisture and dust.
Display Ideas and Gifting
A collection of three pressed flower frames in matching styles hung in a cluster makes a stunning gallery wall feature. Mix frame sizes — one large (30 × 40 cm), one medium (20 × 25 cm), and one small (15 × 20 cm) — for visual variety. Pressed flower frames also make exceptional handmade gifts: personalise by pressing flowers from the recipient’s garden, or choose their favourite colour palette. Pair with one of the greeting card designs from our Handmade Greeting Cards tutorial for a truly thoughtful gift set. For help budgeting materials across multiple frames, our Craft Cost Calculator can total up your supply costs quickly.
Tips for Long-Lasting Results
Keep framed botanical art away from direct sunlight, which fades delicate pigments over time. Hang in a north-facing room or use UV-protective glass for pieces you want to display in brighter spots. The clearer and more papery the pressed flowers, the longer they will last — avoid pressing flowers that have any remaining moisture as they will eventually discolour.
Pressed flower art connects you to the natural world in a way few other crafts do. Every piece is completely unique, shaped by the season and the garden you picked from. Explore more nature-inspired decorating ideas in our Home Decor category.
