Instructor: May in Kent, U.K.

Email for questions: [email protected]

Materials/Tools Needed:

• Masking Tape 

• Green Florist Wire (24 gauge) 

• Acrylic Paint /Medium Green/ Dark Green/ Yellow 

• Varnish (or nail varnish) 

• Plant Pot 

• Filling for pot (plasticine) & tea leaves 

• Scissors 

Preparation: note that I have used only 4 strips in the photos for a guide, but you'll need to cut more.  Cut 12 various lengths of florist wire (from 3" to 2").  Cut 12 various lengths of masking tape (from 4" to 2").

1.  Place the Florist Wire down centre of Masking Tape on the sticky side, half way down the length, leaving 1" of the wire protruding as in the photo below, (this is used to place the leaves in the pot).

2.  Fold the top half of Masking Tape downwards to enclose the wire on the Tape, & press together, leaving the protruding wire.

3.  Cut the long shape of the leaves. 

4.  Paint the leaves with medium green.  When dry, paint leaf edges with the yellow paint.  Then, using a dark green, paint the markings on the leaves for a Mother-in-law's-tongue plant.  When dry varnish lightly.

5.  Fill your pot with plasticine or other filler, then top with tea leaves for a realistic dirt look.  Place each leaf in the pot, bending and twisting them for a realistic shape.  You may have to cut the protruding wires to fit into your pot.

Various plants can be made by this method (please see below for examples of various plants made with this same technique).  Refer to examples of the real thing or a gardening book for leaf shapes and colors.