Lavender has been used for centuries for its beauty and aroma. It was a favorite ingredient in the herbal baths of both the Greeks and the Romans.
The aromatic plant belongs to the mint family and has been a staple of many backyard garden growers.
Drying lavender is a great beginner gardening introduction to drying herbs. You can use the dried flowers to create sachets or oils. Lavender’s medicinal uses are why this aromatic herb has been a staple of gardeners for centuries. In addition, it is also used as a cooking herb and tea by many.
This blog will explain how to dry lavender for its use in many applications.
When Should Lavender Be Picked For Drying?
The sweet aroma of lavender is a must for all garden lovers.
Our English lavender is usually covered in honey bees. Pollinators love hopping from bloom to bloom, and we love having them visit. Watching the bees hum from one blossom to the next is mesmerizing and calming in and of itself.
Once you harvest the beautiful purple blooms and dry them for their multitude of uses, you will be hooked on growing this aromatic shrub.
Lavender should be picked before half of the buds of the plant have bloomed.
If you have waited beyond this period, not to worry. You can still harvest your lavender. The aroma will still be intoxicating, simply not as strong.
You will want to harvest your lavender before the heat of the day. Morning is best. You can use a sharp scissor or weeding sickle for this work.
You will want to leave plenty of stems to be able to dry the lavender. Cut the lavender in small batches and organize them as you go.
How to Dry Lavender?
Once your lavender has been harvested and organized into batches, you will want to use a rubber band to secure them together.
Next, your batches of secured lavender are now ready to be hung to dry.
You will want to use a paper clip or wire to loop through the rubber band and hang batches in a cool, dark place.
Drying lavender in a sunny area will diminish the color of the blooms. The lavender is dried by hanging it upside down to help the lavender retain its blossom shape.
Last year, while checking on my drying lavender, I bumped into some bundles and had some blossoms fall to the ground.
Placing an old sheet or blanket underneath the drying lavender is a good idea to catch any falling blossoms.
Depending on the humidity in your area, drying lavender can take several days up to a week.
Drying Lavender In A Dehydrator
The next way to preserve lavender’s sweet fragrance and beautiful color is to use a dehydrator. You will want to gather your lavender and ensure it’s clean and dry. You can shake them to remove any debris and lay them out on a clean surface.
Your dehydrator will need to be set to 100 to 110°F. Lay your lavender out on the trays, ensuring they are flat and not overlapping too much.
The dehydrator takes about two to four hours to do its work. Enjoy the intoxicating aroma of lavender as it dries.
You will know your lavender is completely drying when they are crumbly to the touch. Once your lavender is dry, you can store the leaves in an airtight container or immediately use them to make sashes, potpourri teas, or lavender-infused sugar.
Drying Lavender in an Oven
If you do not have a dehydrator, not to worry. Lavender can also be dried in an oven.
To do this, you will need to set your oven to 180 to 200°F. Make sure to wash and dry your lavender, giving it a good shake to eliminate any debris that might still be in your sprigs.
Lay a sheet of parchment paper on a baking dish and lay your lavender flat. You will bake your lavender in the oven for 30 to 40 minutes. Make sure to check your lavender every 15 minutes.
You want your lavender to be dry and crumbly but not burnt. Once finished drying, let the lavender dry entirely and store it in an airtight container or use it right away.
How Long Will Dried Lavender Last?
Properly dried lavender will last for quite some time. In our sachets, the scent lasts well into the season and longer.
Dried lavender appropriately stored in air-tight containers can last for years.
Final Thoughts
Drying lavender is a relatively easy DIY project for beginners and experts alike.
We hope this article has built up your confidence to try it yourself.
Let us know in the comments any lavender tips or your favorite way to use dried lavender.
