How to Dry Lavender: A Simple Guide

Do you want to keep the sweet smell of lavender in your home all year? Many people find the drying process hard to get right. The stems break, the color fades, or the scent just doesn’t last.

You’re not alone in this struggle. Getting the timing and method wrong can turn your fresh purple blooms into pale, scentless sticks.

Good news! With the right steps, you can dry lavender at home and enjoy its soft scent for months. The methods are much simpler than you might think.

Read on to learn four tested ways to dry lavender, what tools you need, and how to store it so the scent stays strong. You’ll soon have dried lavender ready for crafts, tea, or just to fill your home with its mild, clean smell.

Why Dry Lavender?

Drying lavender keeps its soft purple color and pleasant smell for months. When you dry these flowers, you can store them in small spaces without worry about rot or mold.

Dried lavender works well in many home uses – add it to food recipes, put it in sachets to freshen drawers, use it in bath products, or make it into wreaths and crafts.

The dried version lasts much longer than fresh cuts, giving you more time to use this helpful plant in different ways throughout the year.

Drying also makes the oil in lavender more focused, which can boost its calming effects when used in teas or scent items. Home-dried lavender costs much less than store-bought options, saving you money while giving better results.

Many people find the process of drying flowers to be relaxing and fun, adding to the plant’s stress-relief benefits. Plus, dried lavender makes thoughtful, personal gifts for friends and family on any budget.

When is the Best Time to Harvest Lavender?

The best time to cut lavender is during mid-summer when most buds are showing color but not fully open. Look for flower spikes where about one-third to one-half of the small buds have opened – this gives the strongest scent once dried.

• Cut stems in the morning hours between 10 AM and noon for the highest oil content
• Choose stems with bright color and no brown spots or damage
• Select stalks where buds are tight but showing their purple tips

Cut in the morning after dew has dried but before the hot sun pulls oils from the plant. The stems should feel firm, not soft or woody, and the color should be bright.

Avoid waiting until all buds open, as this leads to less oil in the final dried product. Weather plays a role too – try to pick on a dry, sunny day to reduce the chance of mold during the drying process.

Methods for Drying Lavender

A. Air Drying

Air drying keeps the most color and scent in your lavender stems. This method takes longer but needs no special tools, making it perfect for beginners. The slow process helps keep the oils in the flowers, which gives the final product a stronger smell.

• Gather 8-12 stems and tie them with string or rubber bands at the base
• Hang bundles upside down in a dark, dry space with good air flow
• Keep bundles small so air can move between all stems and flowers

Remember: Check your bundles after about two weeks by touching the flowers – they should feel dry and crisp, not soft or cool to the touch.

B. Drying in the Oven

Oven drying works well when you need dried lavender quickly. This method takes only a few hours but needs close watching to prevent the flowers from getting too hot. Heat that’s too high can make the color fade and reduce the nice smell.

• Set your oven to the lowest heat (150°F or lower if possible)
• Place stems in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper
• Check every 10 minutes and flip stems for even drying

Remember: Leave the oven door open a crack to let moisture escape and keep heat low enough.

C. Using a Dehydrator

Food dehydrators offer steady heat and air flow, making the process faster than air drying but gentler than oven drying. This method gives good results with less work than other ways of drying lavender.

• Set your dehydrator to 95-115°F for best results
• Lay stems flat on trays with space between them
• Run for 1-4 hours, checking often after the first hour

Remember: Different dehydrator brands work at different speeds, so check your first batch often to learn the right timing.

D. Microwave Drying

Microwave drying is the fastest way to dry lavender when you only have a few stems. While quick, this method needs care to avoid burning the flowers or starting a fire. The high heat can reduce the smell, but the color often stays good.

• Place stems between two paper towels on a microwave-safe plate
• Heat for 30 seconds, then check and add more time in 15-second bursts
• Let stems cool fully before touching to check if they’re done

Remember: Never leave the microwave running without watching it when drying flowers.

How to Store Dried Lavender?

Proper storage keeps your dried lavender fresh and sweet for many months. The right method stops the color from fading and locks in the gentle scent. With a few simple steps, you can make your dried flowers last much longer.

• Use glass jars with tight lids or zip-top bags that seal well
• Store in a cabinet away from heat sources and direct light
• Label your containers with the date of drying for tracking freshness

For best results, keep dried lavender in a room that stays cool year-round. Check your stored lavender once a month for any signs of moisture.

If the flowers start to lose their smell after a few months, you can gently crush a few buds between your fingers to refresh the scent.

Dried lavender stored properly can keep its good qualities for up to a year or even longer in ideal conditions.

How to Use Dried Lavender?

• Lavender Sachets: Small fabric pouches filled with dried lavender that freshen drawers, closets, and linens with a soft floral scent.
• Lavender Tea: Dried buds steeped in hot water for 5-10 minutes create a mild, relaxing tea that may help with sleep.
• Bath Products: Dried flowers mixed with Epsom salts or added to homemade soap bars for a naturally scented bath experience.
• Culinary Herb: A light addition to shortbread cookies, honey, or lemonade that brings a subtle floral note to foods and drinks.
• Natural Potpourri: Dried lavender mixed with other dried flowers and herbs in a bowl serves as a gentle room freshener.
• Sleep Aid: Small pouches under pillows or next to beds that may help promote relaxation and better sleep patterns.
• Homemade Gifts: Dried lavender bundled with a ribbon or used in homemade candles makes thoughtful, personal presents for special occasions.

For creative ideas on incorporating dried flower into your home decor, check out this DIY Guide for Different Types of Dried Flower Ornaments.

Conclusion

Drying lavender at home is a simple task that brings many rewards. With the four methods we’ve shared, you can pick the one that fits your needs and tools.

The key points to keep in mind are harvesting at the right time, drying with care, and storing properly.

Fresh or dried, lavender offers a world of uses from home decor to cooking. By drying your own, you save money while getting better quality than store-bought options.

Why not try drying some lavender this season? Start with a small bunch using the air-drying method, and see how the process works for you. Your home will thank you with sweet scents all year long.