Complete Guide to Making a Herbarium: Methods, Ideas, and Professional Tips

Do you want to connect with nature in a creative and educational way? Creating a herbarium is much more than just pressing plants: it's documenting, admiring, and preserving the plant diversity that surrounds us. Whether you're looking for an educational activity for the classroom, a personal botany project, or a natural decoration for your home, delve into this detailed guide and discover how to make a herbarium step by step, with professional techniques, original ideas, and advanced tips.

What is a herbarium and what is it used for?

Un herbal is a organized collection of plant specimens (plants, plant parts, leaves, flowers, seeds, fruits, roots and even algae and fungi), which have been harvested, dried, pressed, preserved and meticulously labeled for study, teaching, decoration or artistic appreciation.

Since their origin, herbaria have been key tools for the scientific botany, allowing us to identify species, classify plants, understand their evolution and distribution, and document the flora of different regions over time. However, today its function has expanded and diversified:

• Study, classification and conservation of plant biodiversity: They facilitate the identification of species, the analysis of their ecology and the conservation of historical records on local and global flora.
• Historical record and environmental memory: They document the natural environment of a region over a given period, helping to study climatic and ecological changes or the disappearance of species.
• Artistic decoration and ornamental usePressed plants can transform any space, decorating pictures, covers, frames and albums, or personalizing unique gifts.
• Educational and didactic toolHerbaria encourage active learning of botany, the development of manual skills and observation in children and adults.
• Recollection of personal or family experiences: Saving plants from walks, trips, or your own garden creates a sentimental and natural archive of special moments and places.

A well-made herbarium keeps the living memory of nature and can be passed on from generation to generation., bearing witness to species that may disappear from the wild.

Ethics and good practices in the collection of plants for the herbarium

Respect for the environment is essential in the creation of any herbarium. ethical plant harvesting Protect biodiversity and promote responsible learning. Follow these basic principles:

• Do not collect protected or endangered species: Consult regional lists and, if you spot a rare plant, limit yourself to photographing and recording it without collecting it.
• Avoid mass extraction: Take only what is essential, choosing healthy parts of abundant plants and always leaving specimens to ensure the continuity of the population.
• Do not pull up roots or destroy the environment unnecessarily.Extracting whole plants is only justified after thorough botanical studies and with permits. Prioritize taking representative fragments.
• Request permission in parks and protected areas: Observe local regulations. In many cases, a permit is required to collect plant material.
• Choose dry days and times with low humidity: Harvest preferably at midday, when the dew has disappeared, to improve drying and prevent rot.

Ethical plant harvesting not only protects biodiversity, but also conveys sustainability values. and environmental commitment to those who participate in the project.

Materials and tools needed to make a quality herbarium

The success and durability of a herbarium depend largely on the suitable materials that you use in each phase:

• Fine pruning shears and/or small scissors: For cutting stems, leaves and flowers precisely without damaging the specimen.
• Hand shovel or hoe: To extract whole plants, if you decide to include roots or study complete species.
• Paper and/or plastic bags: They maintain the sample's moisture until pressing. For mushrooms, opt for ventilated baskets to prevent spoilage.
• Absorbent paper, blotting paper, or clean newspaperEssential for pressing and drying. Avoid papers printed with ink that could transfer to the sample.
• Botanical press (homemade or professional), thick books or heavy blocks: They ensure that the plant remains flat and well dried.
• Quality white cardstock or acid-free heavy-duty paper: Base where the sample is fixed for filing and display.
• White glue, cold silicone, glued linen strips or special adhesive paper: To fix the plant without damaging it or altering its color.
• Pencil, pen and marker: To write down labels, observations and record data in the field notebook.
• Field notebook: To record essential data: location, date, environmental conditions, height, observations and possible traditional uses of the plant.
• Folder, file cabinet, box or rigid album: To keep herbarium slides safe from light, moisture and pests.
• White paper or cellophane envelopes: They allow you to store small parts, seeds, fruits or delicate fragments.
• Magnifying glass or microscope (optional): Ideal for examining morphological details, especially in educational projects.

There are also complete pressing kits and herbarium sets already prepared, but it is perfectly possible to set up a professional herbarium with homemade materials and attention to detail.

How to Make a Herbarium: A Step-by-Step Guide

1. Selection and collection of plant samples

   Go out into the natural environment (forest, park, garden or riverbank) equipped with your materials. Select healthy and representative plants of different species, colors, shapes, and stages of development. If the plant is small, you can collect it whole; otherwise, choose parts that show its most relevant characteristics: leaf, flower, stem, and, if possible, fruit. Record in your field notebook:

   • Common name (if known) and scientific name (if possible)
   • Date and exact location (including coordinates or references of the place)
   • Habitat type: forest, field, riverbank, urban park, etc.
   • Weather conditions and altitude above sea level
   • Color, smell and texture of the fresh plant (some data may be lost after drying)

   Use separate bags to prevent samples from mixing and deteriorating.

2. Pressing and drying of the plants

   Place each sample between several layers of absorbent paper or newspaper, spreading the leaves and flowers out so they don't overlap. If the plant is thick or fleshy, trim less essential parts to facilitate drying and prevent internal moisture. Alternate layers of paper with cardboard or wooden slats and add weights on top (books, a homemade newspaper, blocks). The pressing should be even and firm.

   It is vital change the absorbent paper every 24-48 hours during the first few days to prevent mold or rot, especially if the climate is humid or the plant has internal juices. Complete drying takes between 1 and 3 weeks, depending on the thickness. For mosses and lichens, drying can be done in air, in ventilated bags, without the need for intense pressing.

3. Mounting and fixing dry samples

   When the plants are completely dry and flat, handle them with extreme care to avoid breakage. Place each specimen on a sheet of white cardstock or mounting paper, arranging the elements so that all the morphological details of the species can be appreciated (leaves, flowers, stem arrangement, and, when possible, fruits or seeds).

   Secure the sample using small amounts of white glue, cold silicone, strips of self-adhesive linen paper, vegetable tape, or special tape. Avoid covering key areas or using plastic adhesives that deteriorate over time. Loose elements (seeds, fruits) can be stored in a small envelope attached to the sheet itself.

4. Labeling, inventorying and data recording

   Labeling is essential to give your herbarium scientific and educational value. In the lower right corner of each sheet, include a label with:

   • Scientific name, common name and botanical family
   • Precise location: country, region, municipality, coordinates
   • Collection date
   • Name of the collector
   • Habitat, altitude, orientation, type of vegetation and accompanying species
   • Personal observations: color, aroma, dimensions, possible traditional or cultural uses

   You can add additional information sheets, drawings, diagrams, or photos taken in the natural environment, especially in the case of particularly relevant species.

5. Organization, filing and conservation of the herbarium

   As your collection grows, group leaves and specimens by botanical families, habitats, seasons, colors, or criteria that make them easier to reference. Store your herbarium in folders, rigid boxes, or albums away from direct light and moisture. Use natural repellents (lavender branches, cedar balls, silica gel bags) and periodically monitor its condition to prevent pests or deterioration.

Advanced tips and professional techniques for a flawless herbarium

• Use only acid-free paper and cardstockAcidic paper yellows and can damage the sample over time. Always opt for specific conservation materials or, failing that, high-quality acid-free paper.
• Avoid plastic adhesive tapes: They yellow and peel off over the years. Prefer archival-grade tapes and adhesives or gummed linen tape.
• Delicate flowers, orchids or cruciferous plantsCarefully spread out the petals and leaves. You can accompany the sample with botanical illustrations or drawings to capture details that pressing doesn't preserve.
• Fungi, mosses and lichensAir dry and store in ventilated bags. For mushrooms, consider using food dryers (at low temperatures) or a hot air oven to prevent mold growth.
• insect preventionIf you detect larvae or signs of pests, place the affected sheets in airtight bags and freeze for 48 hours; eliminate eggs and adults without using toxic products.
• Classification: Sort the plants alphabetically, by family, habitat, color or thematic criteria, according to the educational or decorative objective of your herbarium.
• Includes information on ethnographic uses: Adding data on medicinal, culinary, or cultural applications adds great value and makes it a cross-cutting resource.

Creative formats and ways to personalize your herbarium

The herbarium can be as traditional or innovative as you wish. Some ideas for personalize and beautify your collection:

• Thematic or seasonal herbarium: Organize pages by seasons, trips, botanical outings, or by predominant colors.
• Artistic compositions and natural paintings: Frame specimens between two glass plates to create botanical paintings, album covers, or decorative accents for shelves and walls.
• Illustrated and annotated pages: Add drawings, maps, personal chronicles or stories to accompany each specimen.
• Includes printed photographs: Documents habitat and collection, as well as the seasonal evolution of the species.
• Vary the colors, types and qualities of paper: Use soft-colored cardstock, textured papers, or layouts differentiated by collection.
• Artistic personalization in the family or in the classroom: Use stickers, watercolors, cutouts, and mixed media for a collaborative experience.

School herbarium and teaching resources for learning

Creating a herbarium at school or at home is an excellent opportunity to develop scientific curiosity and ecological awareness in young children. Get closer to nature with these activities and resources:

• Field trips and excursions: Promotes direct contact with local flora, encourages observation and cooperative work among students.
• Creation of explanatory sheets: Each plant can be accompanied by a card with a description, habitat, season and singular characteristics observed.
• Classification and educational games: Organizes species identification contests, microscopic observation challenges, and memory games on traditional uses.
• Observation with a magnifying glass or microscope: Examining morphological details reveals a hidden world for children.
• Seasonal projects: Collect and compare plants from different seasons to study changes in nature.
• Research on medicinal or cultural uses: Explore the history and usefulness of each species, bridging the gap between science, tradition, and culture (always in an informative and safe manner).

Group work develops social, manual, and scientific skills, integrating the herbarium as a cross-curricular teaching resource in science, art, and geography.

Decorative display and conservation: how to display your herbarium

The way you display your herbarium enhances its decorative value and makes it easier to consult and preserve over time:

• Double glass frames and botanical paintings: Display sheets between two glass plates to enhance colors and silhouettes, creating eye-catching elements ideal for decoration.
• Custom covers and dividers: Decorate covers and dividers with dried flowers, illustrations or allusive photos.
• Illustrated pages: Combine samples with diagrams, habitat maps, environmental photos, or color charts to record original tones.
• Folders classified by categories: Store your collection by family, habitat, season, type of use, or even personal stories.
• Reference albums: Ideal for libraries, schools and shared projects, they facilitate access to information.

To prolong the life of your herbarium, always store it in a cool, dry place away from direct light. Use silica gel bags or desiccant gel to regulate humidity, and check specimens periodically for early signs of deterioration.

Types of herbariums and examples to inspire you

• Scientific herbarium: With rigorous identification, detailed labeling, and tracking for professional research or conservation. Includes taxonomic data and can be part of academic collections.
• School herbarium: Adapted to learning, with educational cards, classification games, and active participation from students of all ages.
• Artistic or decorative herbarium: Designed for personal projects, gifts, natural paintings and decoration of creative spaces.
• Thematic herbarium: Focused on specific types of plants (medicinal, edible, exotic, endemic), specific habitats (riverbanks, forests, urban gardens) or with motivations such as travel or family stories.
• Digital herbarium: Digitized or scanned photographs accompanied by relevant information, ideal for sharing online or creating presentations and interactive resources in the classroom.

Each type of herbarium responds to a different motivation and audience, but they all share the same objective: preserve the knowledge, beauty and history of the plant world through observation, creativity and careful documentation.

La making a herbarium It is an educational adventure, an exercise in environmental memory, and a tribute to the vast plant world that surrounds us. From its scientific or academic use to its decorative and personal value, each herbarium tells a unique story, linked to botanical curiosities, family memories, or artistic projects. There is no single way to create a herbarium: what matters is respect for nature, precision in documentation, and the passion with which you undertake the process. Dare to start your own herbarium and discover how each leaf, flower, or seed can become a valuable natural testament for the future.

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