DIY weddings are all the rage right now as are “green” weddings, and this idea combines both into a wonderfully fun seed paper project. I contacted Pulp Art on Etsy, and they were sweet enough to put together this DIY post on plantable paper just for Hill City Bride! Making seed paper isn’t difficult. You just need a few supplies and a bit of time, especially to let the paper dry. The best part is that you get to plant the results and watch lovely flowers grow with this sustainable DIY project.
DIY Plantable Seed Paper
Plantable paper is one of the newest trends to use when creating your eco-friendly wedding. It is made from recycled papers plus a mix of flower seeds that are embedded into the handmade paper. Plantable paper uses no trees and allows you to offer guests an eco-friendly idea! They can take it home to plant and commemorate your wedding. They will think of you every time they look at the gorgeous blooms in their garden.
To make heart-shaped plantable place cards or favors, gather high-quality scraps of paper in the color of your choice. Card stock and many scrapbooking papers make wonderful handmade paper. They are made of high-quality fibers and have colors that are nicely saturated. Don’t use newspaper, tissue paper, construction paper or flimsy, weak paper. If you want to end up with a good quality piece of handmade paper, you must start with good-quality scraps.
Here is what you will need to make your plantable paper.
Gather everything you will need: a blender, a packet of seeds, a heart-shaped cookie cutter, paper scraps, and a mold. A mold is a piece of professional papermaking equipment. It is a screen is pulled very taught across a wooden frame. You can make your own with an old picture frame without the glass and some screen from the hardware store. You can find directions on the internet, or you can buy them through papermaking suppliers. The mold must have a very tight screen so that there are no sags where water might puddle and create uneven thickness in your handmade paper.
Begin by tearing your paper scraps into small pieces.
Make sure to remove any staples, plastic windows from envelopes and any other non-paper materials. Soak them briefly in water to soften the paper so that your blender motor doesn’t have to work too hard. (Make sure to use a blender that is dedicated to papermaking. Because paper is made with chemicals, you will want to buy an inexpensive blender at a yard sale that will never be used for food preparation.)
Toss the scraps into a blender with some water and pulverize. You can make a fine pulp or keep the paper in smaller chunks. Once you are happy with the consistency, add a handful of seeds to the blender. Give it a quick pulse to blend the seeds throughout.
Place your cookie cutter on top of the screen, and place it in a sink.
Slowly pour the pulp into the cookie-cutter. Use your finger to push the pulp into an even layer as the water drains into the sink. When most of the water has drained off, lift the cookie-cutter, move to another part of the screen and repeat. When your screen is full, place the screen in a warm place or outside in the sun until dry. As the paper dries, the individual fibers will start to lock together and get stronger.
To dry the seed paper more quickly and make a stronger paper, put another piece of screen on top of the heart. Then press the water out with a sponge. Once dry, lift the paper off the screen. Punch a hole in it and thread a piece of string through the hole.
Planting your seed paper is the best part!
Remember to give your guests directions on how to plant their paper. Place the paper into raked ground, cover with a quarter-inch of soil then water and keep moist until germination, about 6 to 8 weeks. Take a look at the last photo to see seedlings popping out of some white plantable paper!
I love this idea, and the little seedlings bursting through with life convince me that this indeed is a darling little project. If you love the thought of doing something “green” for your wedding, but you do not want to tackle a project, be sure to visit Pulp Art and check out what have for your wedding day! They make place cards and rectangle hang tags in addition to the heart-shaped ones featured today. Thank you again, Pulp Art, for inspiring us to make some plantable paper of our own!
Plantable paper is a great idea for green weddings!
Are you planning on having a green wedding? If so, take a peek at some ideas for an eco-friendly event. Happy planning!
Rachael EberleThis is so cool!
Jessie-LeeAwesome post! What a truly unique idea. Love this!
Heather CheathemI love this idea Jennifer – thanks for sharing it with everyone!
CandaceThis is such a great idea and they could be made ahead of time to be ready for the big day. Even a great idea for name tags on Christmas gifts… Love it. Thanks for sharing.
claire GallamWow, that is insanely cool.
JenniferThanks, ladies!!
Stubborn Press & CoThis is great! The fun part is all of that paper, while it can’t be run through a traditional printer, can be letterpress printed on just fine! Because it’s thicker than normal paper, it’s the perfect thickness for a lovely impression. That gives new life to a beautiful invitation—once the wedding is over, you can plant the invite for some lovely herbs or flowers!
AdrienneThanks for this great idea!
MoiraLove this idea, thank you. But do the seeds not start germinating before the paper is dry?
CarolynThanks for sharing. Easier directions than I had seen for a similar project. Thanks for the tip about the blender, too. Good and useful post!
Teresa Van EttenI am an artist and I make this all the time. A note, it’s best not to blend the seeds with the pulp. First, blend the paper into pulp in the blender. Then, pour some pulp into a separate container, like a ketchup bottle, the kind used in hot dog stands. You can get them at the dollar store or use a recycled ketchup bottle from home. Then, add seeds to your pulp, shake only 20 times, and pour onto screen. This lessens the bruising of the seeds and lessens the wet time to the seeds.
Teresa♥♥♥! Thank you so much for sharing this! This fixes my dilemma of not being able to find pretty gift tags!!! 🙂
CatapurpleGreat idea to send for birthdays too as it is so coslty to send things in the mail
Love the pink hearts so cute!
Great idea!
CarolGreat idea for Valentines Day!
Marie HuntHi there, just wanted to thank you for such a wonderful idea! I have shared to my facebook page and given you credit and linked back to your fab blog, hope thats ok xx
DaniIs there a rule of thumb for how much card stock paper you need to produce one heart?
Thanks!
ShawnSo cute! I have to make these!
Marciadon’t know if it would work or not, try placing a piece of tissue paper on top of the almost dried hearts with the typed info on it and then place the heart instruction side down so the seeds are on top and can rise out of the heart without any obstruction. Yes, I thought about the seeds in the blender. I would say put them in once you have the paper mixed. And a note about seeds being wet. Food dryer, outside on window screens on a warm, breezy day… anything to get them to dry faster. I’d suggest the oven, but I have no clue as to how long, but at the lowest possible temp.
BirdI want to do this in butterfly shape and add milk weed seeds to it for people who want to help Monarchs.
LolalolitaAs an art teacher I have done this with kids and it was awesome. Love the hearts idea for V-day. Perfect. Wondered about the seeds – probably mix them in gently right before pouring. Wouldn’t put them in the oven though. Heat might kill the seeds. Keep outside or run a fan over it. Very cool project – and kids will see how to MAKE paper!
brandiI’m making these for my daughters preschool class for valentines day, does anyone know if the seeds will still sprout and grow if the kids wait until spring to plant them? We live in Chicago so they won’t be able to plant them right away.
JenniferBrandi, I’m pretty sure that the seeds will remain dormant as long as you keep the papers dry. Thank you for commenting!
MiriamHow much paper? How much water? What kind of seeds work?
Rena MooneyGreat idea! Money saving tip: if you have more than one blending jar, you wouldn’t need to have two bases. Either save old jar when you get a new one, or any jar with a broken yard sale blender with the same blade.
However, if this is more than one or two times, do have separate blenders and make sure to use enough water so the motor doesn’t burn out too fast.
Dorothy LunsfordVery cute ideas Thanks for sharing
Regina KreighbaumI might just do this with my Daisy Girl Scout Troop!
Debbie EdenThis is a very great idea for any gathering situation. Family, friends, gifts for seniors etc. Love this.
DeniseLove this! I think it would be great to do and give with teacher gifts!
CherieWhat a great idea and something new to try for the garden!
annie baizI’m going to make these for my son’s 15th bEarth Day party! Thanks for the great idea.
IzzabellaThis is a really good idea would like to see them it for any type of party not just for weddings thanks
Grace DillonI love this! Inspiring me to make some. Thank you!
KatyWonderful idea! Thanks for sharing.
LisaI have been purchasing my seed paper to make business cards. So excited to try my hand at making my own!
kathleen babbittI have always wanted to know how to do this! It is such a wonderful way to use up scraps and flower seeds. I think it would be great to use the state flower seeds. ours are black eyed susans. thank you so much for sharing!
AshleyHow long will these last? As in, will they sprout before being planted and if so how long after being made will they sprout?
JenniferThose are great questions, Ashley! If they are not left wet, the seeds won’t germinate, and I would consult the seed packets to see what their suggestion is as to how long the seeds will be viable. Thank you for stopping by!
laurenMake sure the seed paper is kept in a dark place and if possible wrap in tinfoil. This will prolong the life of the seeds and keep them from drying out.
Joyce WarrenThanks for the great idea! I will use it for my church group.
DanielleLove this ! Will be making these for my son’s kindergarten class with simple instructions on how to plant – Great idea for Valentine’s day as we are no longer allowed to have candy! What’s Valentine’s day without candy – flowers of course.
Nurayvery clean website, clear and modern set out. I love the process and thanks for sharing these instrucitons. Put out the natural love out there. Nuray
ChrissyThis is adorable! You could do it with Christmas cutters too for DIY parties.
JenniferAgreed… what a great idea!
DEBORAhI Love This, Jenn…So much Id Marry it; If it Wasn’t for my Husband Frank!! May Jesus bind Our souls Eternally!! <3
JaimeDoing this with forget me not seeds for my grandson’s rememberance ceremony.
ElliahInteresting idea but the seeds and plants are surrounded by toxic chemicals in the ink and white bleached paper. Isn’t it better using a different material rather than giving the seeds one with toxic chemicals in it? The chemicals are also being planted in the ground in the soil, contaminating them and be in the seedlings and plant. I think it may be better not using paper with those chemicals in but some plant waste paper instead? I.e. grass, onion, garlic, potato?