Get Pressed Flowers in 3 Days!

Humans have long had a fascination with collecting and preserving flowers. In the 16th century (Enlightment era), Japanese artists began the practice of Oshibana, in which they would create large pictures using pressed flowers as their medium. So I found an easiest flower to grow and preserve.

Moss rose flowers, with their vibrant hues and delicate petals, are a joy to grow and admire. But what if you could capture their charm and preserve it forever? Pressing flowers is a timeless craft that allows you to immortalize their beauty and use them creatively in bookmarks, artwork, or decor. In this instructable, I'll guide you step-by-step on how to grow vibrant moss rose flowers and transform them into stunning pressed keepsakes. It's an easy, rewarding activity that combines gardening, patience, and creativity. Let's dive in and create something beautiful together!

1. Fresh moss rose flowers (fully bloomed ones work best)
2. Parchment paper or tracing paper
3. Heavy books
4. Tweezers (optional, for delicate handling)

Moss rose (Portulaca) is one of the easiest and most low-maintenance flowers to grow. It blooms throughout summer season. They require minimal care—just a sunny spot and occasional watering. They are drought-tolerant and thrive in poor soil conditions. Once established, they provide colorful flowers throughout the growing season. My advice is to grow from cuttings bought from a plant nursery and you don't need extra space for it as it can be planted in cups, mugs, hanging pots or baskets easily. These flowers typically bloom for just one day. They open in the morning when sunlight is bright and close by late afternoon or evening. However, they produce new flowers continuously, so your garden will stay vibrant throughout their growing season. It's part of their charm—a daily surprise of fresh blooms!

Don't be sad while plucking these flowers as they only last a day and we going to preserve them for them to last very long. Lay them flat gently using your fingers.

Place the flowers neatly between two sheets of parchment or tracing paper. Ensure they are spaced out and not overlapping to avoid uneven pressing. Place the prepared sheets with flowers inside the pages of a heavy book and stack additional heavy books on top to apply pressure. Leave the flowers to dry and flatten for at least a week.

Leaving the flowers to dry and flatten for some days ensures they retain their delicate beauty while becoming perfectly preserved. Once pressed, they'll stay intact and can be cherished in various forms, like bookmarks, framed art, or even as decoration for journals. Mine turns brown once it dries so I check it after three days if it is dried then I tape over it to retain its color forever. It’s a timeless way to freeze a moment of nature's elegance.