How would you preserve a 4 leaf clover - Ask Extension
Found it on campus kind of wanted to keep it on my phone
Knowledgebase
How would you preserve a 4 leaf clover #919989
Asked October 15, 2025, 12:22 PM EDT
Found it on campus kind of wanted to keep it on my phone
Howard County Maryland
Expert Response
The plant pictured is hard to see clearly since it's not quite in focus, but it doesn't look like a clover. In either case, to preserve leaves, they are usually pressed. That entails flattening and drying the leaf between two heavy or cinched-together objects, either an actual plant press or a makeshift press using one or two heavy books, newspaper or blotting paper (to absorb moisture; watercolor paper might work), and a place to put it for about week undisturbed so the leaf can dry and stay flat. Pressed leaves fade in color, sooner or later, so a vibrant green leaf will tend to turn a muddy yellowish- or brownish-olive green. They are also brittle and easy to crack or crumble, so it could be protected with some sort of laminate, clear cover, or some other layer.
Miri
Miri