How to Get Leaves Blocks in Minecraft

Guide Java Bedrock

Quick answer: Leaves can be obtained only with shears or a tool enchanted with Silk Touch. Hoes are the default tool for breaking them, but a hoe gives no leaves block. Leaves you place yourself never decay, and most types give a 30% chance to raise a composter level.

What you need

Shears or Silk Touch tool

Step by step

Find a tree with the leaves you need.
Break the leaves with shears or any tool enchanted with Silk Touch to get the block.
Place the leaves where you want them. Player-placed leaves persist and do not dissipate.
Remember that natural leaves not connected to a log decay, within 6 blocks in Java Edition or 4 in Bedrock Edition.
Do not push them with pistons: leaves are destroyed when pushed, and do not stick to sticky pistons, slime blocks or honey blocks.

Java vs Bedrock

Leaf decay distance is 6 blocks in Java Edition and 4 in Bedrock Edition.

Versions: Flowering azalea leaves have a 50% composter chance; most other leaves 30%.

Frequently asked questions

Can I get leaves without shears?

No. Only shears or Silk Touch give the leaves block.

Do placed leaves decay?

No, leaves placed by players persist.

How much bone meal do leaves give?

A stack of most leaves yields on average 3.05 bone meal in a composter.