A Guide to Nature Journaling Plants (For Beginners)

A few years ago, I stood in front of a wild fennel plant and realized I had no clue what to draw. It was beautiful, complex, and totally overwhelming. That’s how nature journaling plants started for me—completely ungraceful and awkward. But like anything, it got easier with practice. If you're just getting started with nature journaling plants, this guide will help you avoid the usual stumbles and find your way into a practice that’s both grounding and creatively fulfilling.

I’ve filled sketchbooks with everything from tiny weeds to dramatic eucalyptus trees, and each page has taught me something. You don’t need to know plant names or be a skilled artist. You just need curiosity, a few tools, and a willingness to slow down and look closely. If you're new to all this, my Nature Journaling Basics page is a good starting point.

Key Points for Nature Journaling Plants

• Focus on observation, not perfection. Even a messy sketch teaches you something.
• Choose common, accessible plants—don’t wait for a trip to a national park.
• Use simple prompts to break past the blank page (I keep a few in my nature journaling prompts list).

How I Got Comfortable with Nature Journaling Plants

When I started nature journaling plants, I thought I needed to make everything look realistic. I would get discouraged when my sketch didn’t match what I saw. Eventually, I shifted my mindset: I was drawing to understand, not to replicate.

I started with weeds growing through cracks in the sidewalk. They didn’t feel precious, and no one was watching. Dandelions, clover, wild grass—those became my first nature journaling teachers. I’d sketch their outlines, trace their shadows, and write a few notes about what I noticed. This low-stakes approach gave me the freedom to explore.

If you're looking for some low-pressure inspiration, I wrote more about this shift in my Nature Journaling for Adults post.

Easy Plants to Start With

Some plants are just easier to draw. Here are a few that helped me when I was starting out:

• Ferns: The repeated shapes make for great observational practice.
• Succulents: Simple shapes and satisfying textures.
• Tree leaves: Try comparing a few from different species.
• Wildflowers: Even a single bloom is enough to study form and color.

If you’re in Australia, I shared some regional favorites in Nature Journaling in Australia.

What to Include in a Plant Journal Entry

Once I stopped thinking about making a “nice drawing,” I started asking questions like: How does the stem connect to the leaves? Is the surface smooth or fuzzy? Does it grow in a spiral?

These observations made their way into my journal alongside drawings. I often:

• Sketch the overall shape first
• Zoom in on one part (like the tip of a leaf)
• Add notes about texture, smell, or movement
• Write down where and when I saw the plant

You can see some of these examples in my field guide to nature journaling and this gallery of nature journaling examples.

Tips for Getting Unstuck When You’re Out in the Field

I’ve definitely had those frozen moments where I open my sketchbook and draw a single leaf… and then nothing. To get unstuck, I’ve learned to:

• Set a 5-minute timer and draw anything without stopping
• Start with writing instead of sketching
• Use a prompt like “Draw a plant from the side” or “Find a plant that’s growing in a strange place”
• Let go of finishing anything—just start, and see where it goes

Sometimes I use tools from my nature journaling bag like a loupe or a clip-on viewfinder to focus my attention.

Plant-Focused Journaling Ideas and Activities

Nature journaling plants doesn’t always have to be a solo, silent experience. I’ve done sketching walks with friends, and even taught outdoor journaling sessions through workshops in the wild. Group or not, here are a few activities that have helped me reconnect with the joy of observing plants:

Try a Time Lapse Series

Sketch the same plant over several days or weeks. This taught me how flowers bloom and die, and how weather changes the plant’s posture. It also made me more aware of the rhythm of seasons and how even tiny plants respond to their environment.

Create a Texture Inventory

Instead of sketching whole plants, fill a page with different textures: bark, leaf veins, seed pods. Use shading, hatching, or watercolor washes. It’s a great way to practice mark-making while also sharpening your observational eye.

Do a “Blind Contour Walk”

This one's fun and helps loosen you up. As you walk, stop occasionally and do a blind contour drawing of a plant—meaning, you draw without looking at your page. It’s not about accuracy; it’s about connection and slowing down. Some of my most expressive pages came from this practice.

Check out more ideas like this in nature journaling activities.

Bringing Watercolor Into the Mix

Watercolor intimidated me at first, but now I love using it to bring plants to life on the page. I keep it simple—just a small palette and a water brush. Sometimes I sketch in ink first, other times I go straight to color. Mistakes are part of it, and honestly, they often become my favorite parts of the page.

Watercolor is especially useful for showing things like subtle gradients in a leaf or the way light filters through petals. You don’t need fancy supplies—a few basic colors and a brush you like using can go a long way. I've learned that less is more when you're working outside. A limited palette also forces me to mix colors, which often gives me more natural-looking results anyway.

If you’re nervous about it, start with just adding a simple wash of green or yellow around your ink sketches. That alone can bring energy and clarity to your journaling pages.

I have a whole guide on watercolor nature journaling if you’re curious to try this medium.

Where to Go and What to Bring

You don’t have to go far. Many of my favorite plant pages came from my own backyard. But I’ve also journaled in botanical gardens, local parks, and even sidewalk planters. The more familiar you get with a place, the more you start to notice subtle changes.

I carry a lightweight setup with:

• Sketchbook
• Micron pens or pencil
• Water brush and palette
• Small ruler (helpful for leaf measurements)
• My phone for quick plant ID (but not always necessary)

I’ve outlined all my favorite gear in this post on nature journaling supplies.

Exploring Bigger Adventures

If you're feeling ready to take your journaling on the road, I put together some ideas in my creative nature journaling excursions and nature journaling adventure posts. These cover everything from half-day outings to international trips, including one I did during International Nature Journaling Week.

Longer excursions give you a chance to immerse yourself more deeply in the environment. I’ve found that when I spend a full day in a new landscape—whether it’s a coastal walk, desert hike, or forest trail—I start to see more subtle details: the way a plant curls to shelter from wind, or how certain flowers only open at certain times of day.

If you’re planning something bigger, it helps to pack a few extra comforts: a foldable stool, sun protection, snacks, and maybe even a field guide or plant ID app. These extras can help you stay present and curious for longer stretches of time.