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Lavender not only looks beautiful and bushy when planted in your yard, but it can be harvested for crafts, cooking, and decor. A full-grown lavender bush can give you 7 to 8 bundles of lavender each season, which you can dry and store for months to come. Plus, harvesting lavender is actually good for the longevity of the plant, as it removes old growth to make room for new shoots. So grab your gloves, sharpen your pruners , and get harvesting to enjoy the sweet perfumed scent of fresh lavender!
Steps
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Wait until 40% to 50% of the plant has flower buds. Usually, this is in early to mid-spring. You might be able to tell that the lavender is ready by looking for tons of bees as they fly around to pollinate each plant. [1] X Research source- If you cut lavender in the spring, the plant may have time to produce more flowers for a second harvest.
- Try to harvest the lavender when the flower buds are swollen and the flowers are just beginning to open, but haven't fully opened yet. [2]
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Expert Source
Artemisia Nursery
Plant Nursery & Garden Shop Expert Interview. 7 August 2020.
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Harvest the lavender in the morning when the dew has evaporated. The best time of day to harvest lavender is in the early morning. This will give you the highest concentration of oils inside the plant so your lavender harvest smells or tastes great. [3] X Research source- If you wait for the later part of the day, the sun may evaporate some of the oils inside the plant. They’ll still smell good, but they won’t be as potent as they were earlier in the day.
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Choose flowers that look colorful and fresh. As you look through your lavender plants, try to pick out the flowers that look the freshest with the fullest color. You can pass over any flowers that look small or droopy, as they probably won’t smell or taste as good. [4] X Research source- Think about picking out lavender like you’d pick out fresh fruit—if it doesn’t look colorful and ripe, don’t pick it.
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Gather 50 to 100 lavender stalks into a bunch. Use your hands to gather enough stalks to comfortably fit in your fist or around 50 to 100 stalks. The stalks are quite hardy, so you can gather from all parts of the bush without worrying about tearing it apart. [5] X Research source- The bundle that fits inside your hand is called a “bunch.”
- A first-year lavender bush will typically produce only enough flowers to form 1 or 2 bunches, but older plants can give you up to 10 bunches.
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Cut the lavender 2 in (5.1 cm) above the woody growth. If you examine the lavender bush, you'll see it's rooted to the ground with tough, woody growth. Above this is the “new growth,” which looks green and flimsy. Use your pruning shears to cut at least 2 inches (5.1 cm) above the woody part of the stalk to give the plant enough to work with for a new bloom. [6] X Trustworthy Source Virginia Cooperation Extension Publications and Educational resources from Virginia Tech and Virginia State University Go to source- The best cutting tool for lavender is called a harvesting knife. It's curved like a scythe and has a serrated edge. If you don't have one on hand, a hand pruner will also work just fine. If you're using a harvesting knife, hook it around the bunched lavender and pull the knife toward you, cutting off the lavender stalks.
- If you want to keep your lavender flowers in a bundle, tie a rubber band around them before you cut them off.
- It's best to harvest the entire stem, rather than trying to cut away just the flower. That way, you aren't left with a bunch of sticks all around your plant. [7]
X
Expert Source
Artemisia Nursery
Plant Nursery & Garden Shop Expert Interview. 7 August 2020.
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Place your bundles in water until you’re ready to use them. If you’re keeping your lavender fresh, you can fill up a vase with water, and then put your bundle in it. This isn’t a long-term solution, but it can keep your lavender fresh for a few days until you’re ready to use it. [8] X Research source- If you’re going to display lavender, this is a great way to store it until you’re ready to put it into a bouquet.
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Rinse the lavender to remove pests. Run your lavender flowers and stalks under cool water, then submerge them in water to remove any dirt or pests. Lay them out on a paper towel and pat them dry to clean them off. [9] X Research source- Rinsing your lavender is super important if you’re going to eat it. If you’re using it for decorative purposes or you’re drying it out, you don’t need to worry about it as much.
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Dry the lavender in bunches or on screens. You can use a food dehydrator, hang it upside down to dry in a cool, dark spot in your home, or dry it outside on metal screens in the sun. If you do sun-dry it, it may lighten the flowers just a bit as they dry out. [10] X Research source- If you opt to hang your lavender to dry, use twine or twist ties to gather the stalks in bunches and hang the bunches upside down off of hooks or nails. Retie the stocks as necessary to keep them together, since they will shrink while drying.
- Drying your lavender indoors can take a few weeks while drying them in the sun only takes a few days.
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Seal the dried lavender in an airtight container. You can use a plastic bag, a glass jar, or a plastic container with a lid to keep your lavender fresh. Seal it up tight so that air can’t get into it before you put it away. [11] X Research source- Make sure that your lavender is completely dry before you put it away! Storing wet lavender can cause mold to develop, which will ruin the scent of your lavender.
- Dried lavender usually keeps its scent for about 1 season.
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Store your dried lavender in a cool, dark place. Storing the lavender away from sun and heat will help it last as long as possible, and it will preserve the natural flavor and scent of the flowers as well. You can store your lavender in your kitchen pantry, a cabinet, or the basement (as long as it doesn’t get below freezing). [12] X Research source- Dried lavender can last for months. The main thing you have to worry about after it’s dried is the petals falling off of the stalk—since they’re so small, it can be hard to sweep them up again.
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Use lavender in cooking and crafts. Now it's time to put the lavender to use! You can place the dried stems in vases to decorate your home , use the flowers to make sachets , or make delicious confections with your harvest. Lavender smells and tastes great, so you have a range of options when it comes to using your flowers. [13] X Research source- Be careful when cooking with lavender. Too much in your food can taste a bit like perfume, so go slowly at first!
- Dried lavender looks beautiful when arranged with neutral-colored flowers, like white lilies or daisies.
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Expert Q&A
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QuestionHow hardy is lavender?Katherine Gohmann is a Professional Gardener in Texas. She has been a home gardener and professional gardener since 2008.Lavender can grow in USDA Zones 5-9, depending on the variety. Keep in mind that lavender likes dry, sunny, rocky habitats. If your area is not like that, you will have to put more work into your lavender garden. Lavender hates dampness. If you get a lot of rain or humidity, your lavender will suffer. Hidcote and Munstead are the hardiest varieties- try those.
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QuestionCan I use lavender flower pods for tea?Katherine Gohmann is a Professional Gardener in Texas. She has been a home gardener and professional gardener since 2008.Yes, you can make herbal tea from lavender flowers and/or add it to black or green tea. Instructions for making lavender tea can be found here: How to Make Lavender Tea.
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QuestionWhen should lavender be picked?Artemisia Nursery is a retail plant nursery in Northeast Los Angeles specializing in California native plants. Artemisia Nursery is a worker-owned small business with plans to become a worker-owned cooperative. In addition to California native plants, Artemisia Nursery offers a selection of succulents, heirloom veggie and herb starts, house plants, pottery, and gardening tools and supplies. Drawing on the knowledge of the founders, Artemisia Nursery also offers consultations, designs, and installations.Lavender is optimal when the flower buds are swollen and the flowers are just beginning to open but haven't fully opened yet.
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Tips
- The sooner you start drying your lavender, the more chance you have of avoiding mold and mildew.Thanks
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Warnings
- Watch out for bees! Pollinators love lavender, and there might be a lot flying around as you harvest. As long as you leave them alone, they shouldn’t bother you.Thanks
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References
- ↑ https://lavenderhillfarm.com/blog/harvesting-lavender/
- ↑ Artemisia Nursery. Plant Nursery & Garden Shop. Expert Interview. 7 August 2020.
- ↑ https://extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/yard-garden/growing-lavender-in-colorado-7-245/
- ↑ https://whatscookingamerica.net/Lavender.htm
- ↑ https://extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/yard-garden/growing-lavender-in-colorado-7-245/
- ↑ https://www.pubs.ext.vt.edu/content/dam/pubs_ext_vt_edu/426/426-420/426-420.pdf
- ↑ Artemisia Nursery. Plant Nursery & Garden Shop. Expert Interview. 7 August 2020.
- ↑ https://whatscookingamerica.net/Lavender.htm
- ↑ https://whatscookingamerica.net/Lavender.htm
- ↑ https://www.southernliving.com/garden/plants/how-to-harvest-lavender
- ↑ https://www.gardenia.net/guide/how-to-preserve-the-fragrance-of-your-lavender
- ↑ https://extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/yard-garden/growing-lavender-in-colorado-7-245/
- ↑ https://www.gardenia.net/guide/how-to-preserve-the-fragrance-of-your-lavender
About This Article
Article Summary
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To harvest lavender, clip the flowers right after they open in the early spring. Use your hand to gather enough stalks to fit comfortably in your fist. Use a curved, serrated harvesting knife to slice through the green stalks of the lavender plants about 2 inches above the tough, woody growth at the base of the plant. Remove any dead leaf matter, then hang the lavender to dry. Read on for tips from our horticulture reviewer on how you can use your harvested lavender!
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Reader Success Stories
- "The advice in the article stopped me from cuttting my stems in the midday sun and losing oils. The lavender stems grown in my own French garden fly to England, to be used by a friend in teaching mentally handicapped teenagers to make beautiful things and market them. One of her charges enjoys the task of taking the seeds off the heads. So after the bees, butterflies and I have enjoyed them, they find a use in the hands of young people abroad. " ..." more
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"The advice in the article stopped me from cuttting my stems in the midday sun and losing oils. The lavender stems grown in my own French garden fly to England, to be used by a friend in teaching mentally handicapped teenagers to make beautiful things and market them. One of her charges enjoys the task of taking the seeds off the heads. So after the bees, butterflies and I have enjoyed them, they find a use in the hands of young people abroad. "
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"Very helpful. I've just recently started growing lavender and wasn't sure when or how to harvest it, whether to cut leaves and blooms or just the blooms and where exactly to cut the plant. These instructions were very specific and answered my questions, so now I feel like I know what I'm doing!"
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"Very thorough and helpful. I learned everything I think I need to know: when to harvest, not cutting into woody part of plant. I appreciated the suggestions for use and the unanswered questions option, too. Very nicely done. I feel quite satisfied having my new knowledge of the plant I love. "
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"I had never thought of drying my lavender, instead I always pressed with wax paper. This article shows me how to keep the color and scent, but taste and medicinal properties. I do wish they had talked about freezing the plant for use later though. Overall, great information."
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"Clear, detailed step-by-step advice, so easy to read and follow instructions. Always get the exact answer I am looking for without any pointless, time-wasting context! Absolutely love this site and have achieved many projects from following the advice!"
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