how to preserve fresh eucalyptus – the results are beautiful!
Sharing all my tips today for how to preserve fresh eucalyptus!
how I came to preserve fresh eucalyptus!
As I’ve mentioned before, when embarking on new recipes or DIY projects I tend to overbuy ingredients and materials, on the chance that something goes wrong. This was the case as I stood in Trader Joe’s, gathering eucalyptus stems for my shower post.
And I’ll admit, it might have had something to do with the fact that a fresh box had just come out, and the bunches looked (and smelled) AMAZING. At $3 a bunch I could afford to splurge, so I picked up three.
I wasn’t sure how long the bunch in my shower would last, and worried that the other two would be dried up when I went to use them. I initially considered making dried branches, but then I did a little research and learned that you can easily preserve eucalyptus. These stems in particular were so pretty that I couldn’t bear the thought of them getting dried up.
Turns out, preserving the branches is SUPER easy (and they make a great gift!)!
what materials do you need for preserved eucalyptus?
All you need to preserve eucalyptus leaves is a glycerin solution made by combining two parts boiling water to one part vegetable glycerin in a jar or vase. Once the mixture has cooled to room temperature add your eucalyptus (for reference I used two cups of water and one cup of glycerin here). In about two weeks you’ll notice that the leaves have softened, and turned darker in color. Trim the ends if needed and enjoy! I have the bunches in a few places in my home but particularly love them in this vintage pitcher from Sfuso Stuffs. They are also beautiful attached to a simply wrapped gift, or made into a wreath or garland.
Much like forcing branches, you’ll get the best results preserving eucalyptus if you smash the ends of the branches to increase the area that will be absorbing the glycerin mixture. And try to keep them out of direct sunlight if you can.
I love the way these turned out and they actually smelled quite fragrant for several weeks!
One note: I used the glycerin pictured because I had a few bottles left over from another project I (ahem) overbought for. Click the link in the recipe for a more economical option!
How to Preserve Fresh Eucalyptus
Equipment
- large jar or vase
Ingredients
- fresh eucalyptus branches
- boiling water
- vegetable glycerin
Instructions
- Use a hammer or meat mallet to smash the ends of the branches - this will increase the area that will be absorbing the glycerin mixture.
- Combine two parts boiling water to one part vegetable glycerin in a jar or vase. Once the mixture has cooled to room temperature add your eucalyptus. In about two weeks you'll notice that the leaves have softened, and turned darker in color.
- Trim the ends if needed and enjoy!
Notes
- I used 2 cups of water and 1 cup of glycerin for this post - you may need to adjust quantities based on the size of your jar or vase.
- Much like forcing branches, you'll get the best results preserving eucalyptus if you smash the ends of the branches to increase the area that will be absorbing the glycerin mixture.
- While the branches are preserving try to keep them out of direct sunlight if you can.
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91 Comments
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Hi! I'm Sheri!
Welcome to my little corner of the web where you’ll find easy, delicious recipes, the best kitchen hacks and simple tips for turning your home into a clean haven that is free of toxins. So glad you’re here!
I love the eucalyptus too, thank you
It’s so good, right? I’d have it all over the house if I could! 🙂
Hi Sheri. Thanks for this post. I did as you advised — ie, smashed branches, put eucalyptus in a mixture of water and glycerin. Should I just let it sit in the same mixture for a couple of weeks, and add water if needed? Or should I make fresh water & glycerin mixture for the eucalyptus every few days?
Hi! I have never had to add to or change the mixture – the leaves are typically ready after about 1 1/2 – 2 weeks. Let me know how it turns out!
Hi loving this preserving idea just wondering if it’s ok to place the stems inside the jug into oasis to help with the display ? Would the glycerin solution still be effective ? Thanks x
I’m not sure – the most important thing is for the glycerin mixture to be able to get into the base of the branches to travel up to the leaves. If I’m understanding you correctly I think the oasis might interfere with that? I usually just use a large jug or pitcher and place somewhere out of sight till the branches are ready – I hope this helps!
How long do they last after you preserve them?
Forever! It’s just like drying flowers except this process results in more supple leaves. You could just hang the bunch upside down to dry but the leaves will be more brittle.
Can you do this to other plants too, to preserve them?
Yes! Check out this other post I did! https://sherisilver.com/2020/11/06/favor-ette-leaf-place-cards/
Where do you buy glycerin ?
Amazon! There’s a link right in the post – click on “vegetable glycerin” and it will take you to it! 🙂
I found 16oz of vegetable glycerin on Amazon fir $5.65.
Should I change the water and glycerin at some point or will it stay fresh for the whole two weeks?
Hmm – that’s up to you. The water will turn brownish but that’s to be expected. I’ve never changed it myself but if it becomes super icky you might want to. Sorry to not have a more scientific answer for you!!!
Hi
Thanks for the idea and information.
I hang the bunch upside down to dry for about 20days in a dark place but the leaves dried all upside down:(
After arranging into a vase they do not look pretty.
Any suggestions or advice? But the smells good ^___^
That’s why I like preserving – the leaves stay soft! Give it a try! 🙂
If I wasn’ta nice green color to my eucalyptus stems, should I be adding green food color in the glycerin solution, or perhaps submerging the leaves in dye + glycerine solution after the preservation process is over, or painting/spray painting them after preserving?
I’ve never done any of those – I’d love to know if you do and how it works out! My leaves have turned anywhere from brown to bronze to silver – I love the colors so haven’t thought about changing them up!
Hi!
Did you try adding food colour? If so, did it work? X
I haven’t – but a reader commented that she did and it worked – she said she added a few drops to the water/glycerin mixture. Let me know if you try it and how it works out!!!
They most accessible glycerin I can find is a CVS glycerin, not marketed as vegetable glycerin. It’s this ok? It’s still a liquid clear solution and I saw in your leaf preserving post that you didn’t specify vegetable glycerin – just glycerin. Would it still work? Thank you!
Yes! I believe that when the label reads just “glycerin” that it could be derived from animal or vegetable sources. But it should work exactly the same!
Does eucalyptus need to be dried before putting it in glycerin water or can fresh eucalyptus be used?
DEFINITELY fresh! Dried eucalyptus will not take in the glycerin mixture and will simply stay dried. The fresh eucalyptus draws the mixture up into its leaves and the leaves turn soft and supple!
Is there a way to maintain or care for the eucalyptus once it is preserved?
I’d like to preserve some ahead of time for a wedding (that keeps getting postponed with covid!) and want to keep the preserved leaves looking nice. How can I do this?
Thank you so much, and your eucalyptus is lovely!! 🙂
Ugh! That’s so frustrating! There’s no real care needed once the leaves are preserved. They simply stay as is. You might want to keep them covered so they don’t get dusty, OR since they only take 2 weeks you can do this right before the wedding! Good luck!
Has your eucalyptus changed color at all with the preserving so far? I also would like mine soft and pliable for a wedding in a few months, but still want that winter blue-green tint to it. I was looking at silver dollar eucalyptus.
Yes the leaves will definitely change color – they turn shades of brown. I love the look and the leaves are so soft and supple with this technique but I don’t think there’s a way to keep that silver-green hue!
Where do you find eucalyptus for $3 !!!
Trader Joes! Always these huge and super-fresh bunches!!!
Are the eucalyptus bunches that they sell at Trader Joe’s fresh or dried? I bought some last week and I didn’t know whether to put them in vase with water or just in a vase without water?
They’re typically fresh!
Is there any substitute I can use for the vegetable glycerin?
I’m not sure – why can’t you use it? Maybe I can help find an appropriate substitute!
Having boiled the 2 liquids together, do I then add the Eucalyptus while the mixture is hot ?? Silly question I suppose x
Hi! SO sorry, I’ve meant to edit this post for weeks now – just did! It’s not a silly question at all – let the mixture cool to room temperature before adding the Eucalyptus! 🙂
Just ordered my vegetable glycerine!
Yay! Let me know how it turns out!
Hi! So new in this ecucalyptus thing but I love it! I put some in my shower and inside my bedroom and you can even smell it all over my bedroom I’m so in love! I want to put some more around my house and so I read your post is basically boil water with glycerin and put it in a base and inside put the eucalyptus right? Just as you put some fresh flowers?? One more Q you have to wait till the boiling water turns into regular tempeture ?
I love it too! You boil the water and take it off the stove before adding the glycerin. I like to let it cool to room temp before adding the eucalyptus. Let me know how it turns out!
Hi Sheri! I have grown eucalyptus for years and topped my trees this fall. I have a number of 5 gallon buckets of eucalyptus soaking in the glycerin and water. I’ve never tried to preserve it before, and I wondered what you thought about my taking the stems out of the buckets and re-cutting them so that they soak up the glycerin a little faster. They’ve been in the mix for about two weeks, and it appears that the glycerin mix has only moved up about two leaves. From my research, the preservation process could take four weeks or more. I would really like to move things along if possible! Any guidance would be much appreciated!
Hi! It’s SO hard to say because there are a lot of variables – from the branches themselves to temperature, etc. A fresh cut couldn’t hurt; I’ve done this several times and it’s never taken more than 2 – 3 weeks. Good luck!!!
I grew eucalyptus in my herb garden this year (plan to add to it next spring) and I’m looking forward to trying your method. I take it your method involves putting the stems in this solution and in time it will go to the tip. I was wondering if you have ever tried putting the glycerin solution in a large rectangular food storage container and immersing the entire length. Thanks,
I have done that with clipped tree leaves (see this post! https://sherisilver.com/2020/11/06/favor-ette-leaf-place-cards/ ) but never the whole length of eucalyptus. If you try this let me know!
I got 2 fresh eucalyptus bunches. I had them for several days (less than a week) and they were a bit dry even though I had them laying flat. At that point, I came across your article about preserving the eucalyptus. My question is, will the preserving method still work? I trimmed the ends and set them in water until I was able to purchase the glycerin. Today I smashed the ends and set them in the solution. I’m hoping this will still work. What are your thoughts?
It’s hard to say – there are so many variables! I’d give it a shot! Let me know what happens!!!
If I am using a smaller vase approx 8″ tall and 3″ wide should I use less water/glycerin? Instead of 2 cups water and 1 cup glycerin should I use 1 cup water and 1/2 cup glycerin?
Yes – scale up or down – the important thing is the proportions, as long as the branches are able to take in the mixture this will work! 🙂
Does dried eucalyptus work as well as fresh?
No – it must be fresh. Once the leaves have dried out they won’t absorb the glycerin mixture.
I did this for a rehearsal dinner in February…worked like a charm…I did add green food coloring to the water and the leaves are supple and a pretty dusty green. Thanks!
Oh what a great idea to add the food coloring! I’d love to see a picture!
Thanks for this I’m about to do some tomorrow. Love the idea of putting food colour in to them too. Yes would love to see a picture.
Thanks
I did this with seeded eucalyptus, since it’s so hard to find and/or pricey. They took about 2 – 2 1/2 weeks (I had about 20 stems total, so it took a bit longer), and the key was to leave them alone and keep them in a very dark room. They turned out great, right around the time I thought it had been a bust! Only issue is…a few months later I’m comparing them to store-bought eucalyptus, and mine is very gray compared to other preserved eucalyptus. So next time I will try food coloring. It will save me SO much money if I don’t have to buy this stuff anymore!
Yes! I’ve had other readers use food coloring with good success. I personally love the gray/brown shades that the preserved leaves get but it’s a good option to have! 🙂
I honestly don’t mind it either, but I have certain designs (I’m a florist) where I have to mix the two, and the nice green of the silver dollar just makes mine look bad lol.
Got it – I would love to see pictures of the results if you can! 🙂
Thx so much for this post. I will be getting another fresh batch of Eucalyptus today at TJs but this time I will try preserving (hoping can find the Glycerin at JoAnns or a drugstore today too). I tried to access your link about preserving other flowers but says doesn’t exist. Could you repost the link again. Thank you and I have always adored fresh eucalyptus so this tip is a real blessing.
Oh thank you for pointing that out – the link was broken! It should be fixed now! 🙂
Thx, but I just tried it again (several times) and still says it doesn’t exist.
Hmm – is it this post? https://sherisilver.com/2020/11/06/favor-ette-leaf-place-cards/
No that one works. You had posted a link for preserving of other flowers when someone asked if others could be glycerin preserved.
Oh now I see – it was in a comment! I updated that as well; thank you! 🙂
Hi! Thanks for the post! So if I’m understanding, I leave the smash eucalyptus branches in a vase with water/glycerin mixture and put in a dark space for a couple of weeks? Yes? Then after a few weeks can I leave out? And will they need more water or now they’re good to go? Thanks so much!
Hi! That’s correct; they won’t need water once they’re preserved!
Hi, Does the preserved eucalyptus hold its smell? And can I use the preserved eucalyptus as part of a shower steaming bundle?
Thank did the post very informative!
Hi! No it doesn’t – I wish it did! I would not use it in a shower bundle, as a)the smell really doesn’t hold when it’s preserved and b)you want it to stay dry once you preserve it. That said, I swear by a few drops of Eucalyptus essential oil in the corners of the shower floor (away from the water stream) – it is HEAVEN, and the scent is much stronger than the bundles!!
Thanks!
Hi! I’ve been preserving my eucalyptus for just about two weeks, but the water/glycerin mix seems to have grown a bit of mold. Does that mean it didn’t work and I should throw out the eucalyptus, or is it safe to use/keep if I cut above the water line?
You should definitely change out the water mixture and give it some more time! Let me know what happens!
How long does do they typically last after being preserved?
Indefinitely! I’ve had mine for a few years and they look great!
Hi I bought my eucalyptus plant an it was in a bunch an it was dark green .. now if I put it water an nothing else will it be fine… I have n o vegetable glycerin.. can I substitute the glycerine for something else like sugar..or no..
Hi! You need the glycerin to preserve the leaves. If you just use water it would be like putting any cut flowers in a vase. I wouldn’t recommend sugar but I’ve never tried it!
The leaves are already soft an dark green an also I’m not able to cut the stems.. so I just put them in water for now.. to you have any
advice on any substitution I can use besides vegetable glycerin
You can hammer the ends of the stems to split them open to allow for the glycerin to absorb. I’m a florist and have preserved several bunches of eucalyptus, but have never found anything besides glycerin that works. You can order it off of Amazon to be delivered to your door. 🙂
Thank you for sharing your expertise!!!
Unfortunately it’s the only way to preserve – you can get it easily here! https://rstyle.me/+bxPCsy05927hLFe4g8a41g
Just a warning, I attempted to stir the water and glycerin mixture before it started to boil and it exploded all over me and my kitchen. So I would highly recommend not touching it.
Yikes! I hope you’re ok! Yes you should only add the glycerin to the water after it has boiled and been removed from the heat!
Once preserved, can I remove the leaves to use at a reception?
Oh sure! They should be soft and pliable; I’d love to see how you use them!
How many bunches of eucalyptus did you use for the 2cups water 1 cup glycerin solution?
It was one big bunch from Trader Joe’s!
Can you soak just the leaves that have been cut off the branches?
I have never tried this with eucalyptus leaves – I’ve done it with maple leaves so you could try it! Here’s the post: https://sherisilver.com/2020/11/06/favor-ette-leaf-place-cards/ Let me know how it works out!
Hi, I have just used some glycerine solution preserved Eucalyptus for a Christmas table decoration. Unfortunately I had to remove the Eucalyptus because they smelt really unpleasant and musty!.
Do you have any ideas what might have been the cause?
I have not encountered this problem – was the eucalyptus stored for some time and then brought out? Another possibility is that the solution may have needed to be changed while the eucalyptus was sitting in it. Let me know!
Thanks for the reply.
The Eucalyptus was not stored. I took it straight from the solution and put it in my arrangement. Perhaps it needed to be dried off and stored for a while?
The euclaytus was in the solution in a dark cold garage.
I probably left it for a month in the solution.
I wonder which one of those 3 things might have been the problem?
I wish I knew! If I had to guess I’d say that maybe it didn’t dry off enough! I’ve done this a few times with no issues; let me know if you try it again!