To crochet a simple leaf, my favorite method is to make a foundation row, then crochet in the back loop back down from tip to stem. The foundation row is regular crochet stitches with a single chain added in the middle of working the stitch. This gives a chain-like structure on both sides.

Here is a video, and below are written instructions.

Instructions for the leaf (American notation):

Stem: chain (ch) 5

First Foundation Half Double Crochet (ffhdc): yarn over (yo), insert hook in second chain from the hook, yo, pull up loop, ch 1, yo, pull through three loops.

Foundation Double Crochet (fdc): yo, insert hook through two side loops, yo, pull up loop, ch 1, yo, pull through two loops, yo, pull through two loops.

Fdc again.

Foundation Triple Crochet (ftc): yo, insert hook through two side loops, yo, pull up loop, ch 1, yo, pull through two loops, yo, pull through two loops, yo, pull through two loops.

Ftc again.

Two fdc.

Foundation Half Double Crochet (fhdc): yo, insert hook through two side loops, yo, pull up loop, ch 1, yo, pull through three loops.

Foundation Single Crochet (fsc): insert hook through two side loops, ch 1, yo, pull through two loops.

Ch 3.

Single crochet in back loop (scbl).

Double crochet in back loop (dcbl).

Dcbl.

Triple crochet in back loop (tcbl).

Tcbl.

Dcbl twice.

Half Double Crochet in back loop (hdcbl).

Slip stitch down the initial chain.

To make a sharper leaf tip, slip stitch the ch 3 together. To make different shapes, combine different numbers of stitches. You don’t necessarily need to match fdc with a dcbl.

To make a cluster, finish a leaf, then chain again without tying off. Vary stem lengths. clusters of three work well.