Creating a herbarium is a powerful way to connect with nature, document plant diversity, and gain a hands-on understanding of your local ecosystem. Traditionally, herbariums are collections of preserved plant specimens, carefully pressed and labeled to capture a wide array of botanical details. These collections have played an essential role in botany and plant science for centuries, enabling researchers to study plant species, track environmental changes, and preserve information about the natural world.

But a herbarium isn’t just for scientists.

For nature enthusiasts, hobbyists, and even students, a personal herbarium is an invitation to learn more about the plants around them, whether it’s in the backyard, a nearby park, or an open field.

I was inspired to create my own herbarium when I started diving into herbalism and permaculture.

I realized that to truly understand plants, I needed a resource that combined both identification and practical uses in one place—a guidebook that could evolve over time and help me not only recognize plants but also understand how to use them for culinary and medicinal benefits.

In this blog, I’ll share how to get started with your own herbarium, bringing together the worlds of botany and practical plant knowledge.

What is a Herbarium?

For me, creating a herbarium was a way to document and explore the local edible plants, including some plants we would consider weeds!

I loved the idea of capturing not only the plant’s physical traits but also noting where I found it, the season, and what other culinary or medicinal uses it might have. This practice deepened my understanding of each species and its role in the environment.

Each specimen I gathered would usually include specific details about the plant, such as its:

• Botanical name
• Location
• Date of collection
• Other ecological notes such as look-alikes, where the plant prefers to grow, and regions it is found in

A herbarium can be as simple or as detailed as you like, making it a valuable resource for anyone passionate about the natural world.

Herbarium vs. Materia Medica: Understanding the Differences

As I started building my herbarium, I wanted to combine botanical information with practical uses, creating a guide that was both a herbarium and a materia medica. Here’s how these two approaches differ:

1. Herbarium: A herbarium traditionally serves as a collection of physical plant specimens, each preserved, pressed, and labeled with details about the plant’s botanical traits, collection location, and date. It’s invaluable for botanists and plant enthusiasts, providing a historical record of species and aiding in taxonomy and plant diversity studies.
   
2. Materia Medica: In contrast, a materia medica focuses on the medicinal and therapeutic uses of plants. Instead of pressing plants, it serves as a written resource that details how plants can be used for health, including information on dosages, preparations, and healing properties. This type of collection is often used by herbalists and those in traditional medicine.

Combining these elements in my herbarium gave me a more comprehensive view: not only did I learn to identify plants, but I also began to understand their roles in herbalism, permaculture, and even in my kitchen.

Why Create a Personal Herbarium?

I’ve always been drawn to understanding the plants around me, but creating a herbarium gave me a way to dive deeper into local ecosystems and the diversity found there. With a herbarium, I felt more empowered to learn and document without needing a formal biology or science background.

Building a personal herbarium has numerous benefits:

• Learning About Local Plants and Ecosystems: It’s a practical way to understand your environment, learning not just plant names but their growth patterns, habitats, and uses.
• A Hands-On Way to Connect with Nature: There’s something grounding about gathering, observing, and preserving plant specimens. It brings a deeper sense of connection to the natural world.
• Preserving Specimens for Reference: You’ll have a visual and physical record of plants you encounter, which is helpful if you’re interested in foraging, gardening, or botany.
• Educational Uses: Whether for personal study, sharing knowledge with kids, or even teaching others, a herbarium is a fantastic educational tool.

Types of Herbariums

There are different ways to create a herbarium, each with its own advantages depending on your interests and needs.

• Field Herbariums: Small, portable collections that allow you to press and preserve plants directly in nature. Perfect for quick excursions.
• Digital Herbariums: For those who prefer not to press physical plants, photographing plants and organizing them in a digital database provides accessibility and easy sharing.
• Indoor or Backyard Herbariums: Great for hobbyists who want to document plants from their own gardens or local areas. These herbariums are easily maintained and make a lovely addition to any home.

Step-by-Step Guide on How to Make Your Herbarium

Step 1: Choosing a Theme

To start, decide what you want your herbarium to focus on. It could be backyard forageables, medicinal plants, or even seasonal blooms. Having a theme can make your herbarium more cohesive and give you a clear idea of what plants to look for.

Included in my herbarium, I list out the following:

• Latin name
• Seasons the plant can be found / time of year
• Edible parts
• Where to find it growing / location
• Helpful identification tips
• Medicinal uses
• Edible uses
• Plant look-alikes
• Harvesting techniques
• Recipes
• Extra space to draw, press, and take notes!

Step 2: Finding Specimens Ethically

When collecting plants, be mindful of the environment. Avoid overharvesting and try to gather only from sustainable areas. Note the habitat and other details so you can accurately document your specimen.

Start by choosing healthy, fresh specimens. Place each plant between sheets of absorbent paper to prevent moisture from damaging it. Stack these within a plant press or heavy books, checking every few days and replacing the paper to avoid mold. In two to three weeks, your plant will be fully pressed and ready to store.

How to Press and Preserve Herbs & Plants

Drying Times and Techniques

Drying times depend on the plant’s moisture content and thickness. Typically, two to four weeks is sufficient for most plants. Keep the press in a warm, dry space to speed up the process, and avoid microwave techniques if you want to preserve natural colors.

Tips for Maintaining Color and Structure

Choose vibrant, healthy specimens to help retain color. Use acid-free paper to prevent yellowing and avoid direct sunlight while drying. For long-term storage, a cool, dry place works best, and UV-resistant spray can help preserve colors.

Labeling and Documenting Your Collection

Labeling is essential to keeping your herbarium organized. Include details like the plant’s common and botanical names, location, date of collection, and habitat notes. Get creative with your labels—add sketches, use natural ink, or try botanical names for an extra educational touch.

Seasonal Plants to Include in Your Herbarium

Each season brings its own unique plants to discover. In spring, look for early blooms like violets and dandelions. Summer offers herbs like mint and yarrow, while autumn brings plants like goldenrod and sage. Adding seasonal plants not only diversifies your collection but helps you learn the rhythms of nature.

Local Plants You Can Forage Safely and Legally

Before foraging, research local regulations to ensure you’re gathering plants legally and ethically. Some common, safe-to-forage plants include dandelions, nettles, and clover. Always be mindful of protected species, and remember to harvest sustainably.

Conclusion

Creating a personal herbarium is a journey that deepens your connection to nature, allowing you to learn, explore, and document the world around you. Whether for personal enrichment, practical uses, or sharing knowledge with family and friends, a herbarium is a rewarding project that you can continue to build over time. Start your own herbarium today and let it become a cherished resource for you and future generations.