There is nothing more charming than the perfume released by Lavender. Learn in easy steps how to dry lavender and enjoy its delightful fragrance long after its blossoms have faded.
Native to the Mediterranean area, Lavender was already used by the Romans to perfume their baths (Lavender derives from “lavare” in Latin, meaning “to be washed”) and even by the Egyptians who covered their bodies with the perfume of Lavender unguents.
Lavender is a versatile herb that is well-known for its fragrance and therapeutic properties.
Aromatherapy: Lavender essential oil is commonly used in aromatherapy for its relaxing and calming properties.
Relaxation: The scent of lavender is known to promote relaxation and reduce stress and anxiety.
Sleep: Lavender is often used as a natural sleep aid due to its calming and soothing properties.
Skin care: Lavender is a popular ingredient in skin care products due to its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties.
Culinary: Lavender can be used in cooking and baking to add a floral and herbaceous flavor to dishes.
Garden: Lavender is a popular plant in gardens due to its beauty and fragrance, and is often used in landscaping or as a border plant.
Medicinal: Lavender has been used for centuries in traditional medicine for its various health benefits, such as relieving pain and promoting relaxation.
DIY: Lavender can be used in a variety of DIY projects, such as homemade soaps, candles, and beauty products.
Tea: Lavender tea is a popular herbal tea that is known for its calming properties and delicate flavor.
French: Lavender is often associated with France, where it is grown extensively and used in a variety of products, such as perfumes, soaps, and culinary dishes.
Drying lavender is a great way to preserve its beauty and fragrance for a long time. Here’s how to dry lavender:
Plant those varieties of Lavender known for their strong fragrance. Not all Lavenders are highly scented. Some varieties are wonderful as accent plants but have little fragrance. Others might not look as spectacular but exude a rich perfume. The most fragrant Lavender plants are the Lavandin (Lavandula x Intermedia). Several cultivars of English Lavender (Lavandula Angustifolia) are also prized for their delightful scent. Find the list of the most fragrant lavender cultivars.
Pick optimum conditions to harvest your Lavender. The weather conditions and humidity will have a definite impact on the quality of your dried Lavender. Avoid harvesting when it is raining or when dew is present on your Lavender buds. Wait for dry weather before cutting your Lavender flowers. Morning and evening are the best moments of the day to harvest your precious bunch.
When to Harvest: Harvest your Lavender plant once a few flowers have begun to emerge from the Lavender buds. This practice will reduce shedding and keep the Lavender buds tight on the stem. Use a curved, serrated blade with a handle. Grab a bunch where the stems meet the foliage, and cut a handful.
Bundle: Gather 8-12 stems of lavender and bundle them together with a rubber band or twine. Be sure to bundle them tightly to prevent the flowers from falling out.
Hang: Hang the lavender bundles upside down in a dry, well-ventilated area. A warm, dark place like a closet or attic is ideal. Make sure there is good air circulation to prevent mold or mildew.
Wait: Allow the lavender to dry for 2-4 weeks or until the flowers feel dry and brittle to the touch.
Store: Once the lavender is dry, remove the flowers from the stems by gently rubbing them between your fingers. Store the dried lavender in an airtight container or bag in a cool, dry place away from light, heat, and humidity to preserve their fragrance and color and to avoid mold and rot.
Generally, dried Lavender will keep its delightful fragrance for a season. Lavenders with higher oil content, such as Lavandula x intermedia ‘Grosso’, will stay fragrant longer. Squeeze or crush the flowers to release the scent. You may want to apply some lavender essential oil to the flowers to refresh their fading fragrance.
Dried lavender can be used in a variety of ways, such as in potpourri, sachets, or as a fragrant addition to homemade soaps or candles.
| Hardiness |
5 - 9 |
|---|---|
| Plant Type | Herbs, Perennials, Shrubs |
| Genus | Lavandula |
| Season of Interest |
Spring (Late) Summer (Early, Mid, Late) |
| Characteristics | Dried Arrangements, Cut Flowers, Fragrant, Showy, Semi-Evergreen |
| Attracts | Bees |
lsantilli / 123RF Stock Photo
| Hardiness |
5 - 9 |
|---|---|
| Plant Type | Herbs, Perennials, Shrubs |
| Genus | Lavandula |
| Season of Interest |
Spring (Late) Summer (Early, Mid, Late) |
| Characteristics | Dried Arrangements, Cut Flowers, Fragrant, Showy, Semi-Evergreen |
| Attracts | Bees |
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Create a membership account to save your garden designs and to view them on any device.
Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.
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