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Delicate, fragrant lavender is easy to dry and preserve so that it may be used in scented sachets or as part of a dried flower arrangement. To dry lavender, it's important to harvest the flowers at the right moment, when their color is most brilliant and their scent strongest. You can then choose to dry the flowers in a dark room or in the sun, depending on their intended use. Read on to learn how to dry lavender two different ways.
Steps
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Harvest the lavender before it's fully in bloom. Cut the lavender at the base of the stem right before the buds open. This will ensure that the dried lavender will retain a strong floral scent and remain it's bright purple color. [1] X Research source -
Cut matured lavender flowers just above the leaves. Aim to get the longest stem possible on the flower. In harvesting lavender you are also pruning the plant, which helps it grow strong throughout the winter. [2] X Research source- The plant will need the leaves and stem to finish the growing season, so make sure to leave them in place.
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Gather the lavender into a bunch. Once you've harvested a good handful, gather it into a bunch. Cut the bottom off of the bunch so the ends are even. [3] X Research source -
Tie the stems with a rubber band. Keep bundles ¾” around or smaller so that they will dry evenly. This will help prevent mold and mildew growth. Wind the rubber bands toward the base of the stems. Keep winding until the stems are tightly secured, but not crushed. [4] X Research source- Using a rubber band instead of string or ribbon will ensure that the stems won't slip from the tie as they shrink during the drying process.
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Find a dark place to dry the lavender. Drying lavender slowly in the dark is the best way to preserve its color, since the sun will fade the purple flowers. Look for a dry, dark place that doesn't get much sunlight, such as your shed, garage, or a shaded place under your eaves. [5] X Research source -
Hang the lavender bunch upside down. Loop a strand of the rubber band over a hook or nail. You can also tie a string from the rubber band to a hook or rack to hang the lavender, or you can partially unwind a paperclip and use that to hook the rubber band to a rope, chain, or hook. [6] X Research source -
Let the lavender dry for 2 - 4 weeks. Check every so often to see when the lavender is dry. When you brush the flowers, they should fall easily from the stems. You can leave the flowers on the stems or brush them off to use in sachets or for baking.- It’s important to maintain some airflow as the lavender dries. If there’s no airflow, mold can grow. Keep a small fan on while you’re drying the lavender to ensure it stays mold-free.
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Harvest the lavender. Harvest lavender just before the buds open. Cut at the base of the stems to preserve as much stem as possible. -
Lay the lavender on a block of wood. A cutting board or another large piece of wood is perfect for drying lavender in the sun. If you use a metal tray, the lavender will get too hot; if you use plastic, you might have a melted mess on your hands. -
Place the lavender in a sunny spot. Move the cutting board or wood block to a place that gets plenty of sun, either indoors or outdoors. Drying lavender this way is a much quicker process than drying it in the dark, but be prepared for the sun to fade the lavender to a very pale purple color.- If you live in an area that gets a lot of rain, either dry the lavender inside near a sunny window or be ready to move it inside when the clouds threaten to break.
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Allow the sun to completely dry the lavender. It should take under a week for the hot sun to dry the lavender. Check every few days to see whether the lavender is dry. When it's ready, the flowers should crumble easily from the stems.
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Expert Q&A
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QuestionHow long does lavender stay fresh?Lauren Kurtz is a Naturalist and Horticultural Specialist. Lauren has worked for Aurora, Colorado managing the Water-Wise Garden at Aurora Municipal Center for the Water Conservation Department. She earned a BA in Environmental and Sustainability Studies from Western Michigan University in 2014.Properly dried lavender flowers will hold their scent for months after initial drying.
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QuestionI tied my lavender up to dry under a large juniper canopy shaped tree, where it gets almost no sun and a good breeze. If it rains, will it mold?Lauren Kurtz is a Naturalist and Horticultural Specialist. Lauren has worked for Aurora, Colorado managing the Water-Wise Garden at Aurora Municipal Center for the Water Conservation Department. She earned a BA in Environmental and Sustainability Studies from Western Michigan University in 2014.Yes, it probably would get mold or at least dampen some. Rather than risk rehydration or mold, bring lavender inside when it looks like it might rain, or keep your lavender inside to dry. Depending on the thickness of your juniper canopy, some water will still penetrate through the needles and might drip down the trunk and onto your bundle.
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QuestionHow can I prevent mold?Lauren Kurtz is a Naturalist and Horticultural Specialist. Lauren has worked for Aurora, Colorado managing the Water-Wise Garden at Aurora Municipal Center for the Water Conservation Department. She earned a BA in Environmental and Sustainability Studies from Western Michigan University in 2014.Keep your bunches around ¾” or smaller so that air flows to the middle of the bundle. If you want a larger bundle, combine small bundles after drying. Inside or outside your lavender bundle will need to be in a consistently dry place at all times. Any extra moisture in the air risks rehydrating your bundle. Be especially careful in damp humid climates. Using a fan or a dehumidifier inside the drying room will help keep bundles dry and mold free. When drying bundles outside, keep an eye out for rain in the forecast and bring inside to a sunny window.
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Tips
- Lavender can discourage moths, so hanging the lavender in your clothes cupboards will not only smell nice to you, but could also save your clothes from insect attack. [7] X Research sourceThanks
- If you use half-hitch knots, you can re-use your piece of string numerous times.Thanks
- Drying time is weather-dependent. If you live in a humid area, they may take longer to dry out.Thanks
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References
- ↑ https://damselindisdress.wordpress.com/2009/06/19/how-to-dry-lavender/
- ↑ https://gardentherapy.ca/harvesting-english-lavender
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wW-XmNKajQk
- ↑ https://gardentherapy.ca/harvesting-english-lavender/
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Ys8SxIgGj4
- ↑ https://purplehazelavender.com/lavender/drying-lavender/
- ↑ https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/how-to-prevent-get-rid-of-fabr-109733
About This Article
Article Summary
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To dry lavender, first harvest it by cutting it at the base of the stems just before the buds open. Then lay the lavender on a wooden cutting board or a block of wood. Leave it in the sun outside or in a sunny spot in your house for about a week, or until the flowers crumble easily. If you'd prefer to dry the lavender inside, tie it in a bunch with a rubber band. Then hang it upside down in a dark, dry place, like your garage, for 2-4 weeks. For more information from our Horticultural reviewer on how to dry lavender while keeping its vibrant color intact, read on!
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Reader Success Stories
- "This is my first time to grow lavender. So far it is going really well; the only thing is, I waited too long to harvest. I didn't know until I read this web page. Thanks for the great information; it really helped. Next year I will do much better." ..." more
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"This is my first time to grow lavender. So far it is going really well; the only thing is, I waited too long to harvest. I didn't know until I read this web page. Thanks for the great information; it really helped. Next year I will do much better."
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"Thanks for helping with the knowledge. Did not know to pick lavender at bud stage rather than flowered stage for full smell when dried. It is my daughter's choice to have relaxing lavender oil during labor."
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"Where and when to cut my lavender helped. I was unsure but now I feel confident that this being the third harvest year, that I will have a lovely crop for oils and sachets."
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"Precise and complete information with pictures. Would give 5 stars but they, or the tablet, are not allowing me to do so."
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"I was going to use twine to tie the bunches of lavender together. After I read your article, I switched to rubber bands."
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