A process for preserving plant structures while retaining the natural green color has been developed. The structures are immersed in a solution of water, at least one monohydric alcohol, at least one preservative from the group comprising lower carboxylic acids, di-and tri-hydric alcohols, and sufficient buffering and mordanting reagents to control the pH and osmolality of the solution. In a preferred arrangement the structure is secondarily treated in a holding solution of glycerin and water.