Plant Press versus Hanging

What's the difference and what difference does it make?

A plant press flattens out a specimen for preservation while essentially blotting away all liquids.
Hanging allows plant materials to dry while preserving much of the volatile oils which are of great medicinal value.

So the big question becomes what are your goals for a particular plant? If you simply want to preserve a plant for display - whether for a project or your own personal pleasure, then a plant press is the way to go. However, if you desire to use a plant medicinally then hanging is the way to go.

Guess what! You can make your own plant press and, of course, you can hang your own plants! Here is a set of instructions to build a plant press yourself ...

American Museum of Natural History's How to Build Your Own Plant Press curriculum

An example of pressed plants for display.

To hang plants, it is even more simple ... simply loosely twine string around the lower stems and secure upside down to a rafter/beam or string line or drying rack until completely dried. Some examples are:

Now, Claire had been using books to press her specimens. To do that it would look similar to this...

Notice how the coloring of the plant material stains the pages though. This is why if you need to use a book that you should put the plant between paper towels, newspaper, or some other paper that doesn't matter should it be ruined.

Have fun and be sure to let me know if you do any pressing of drying!