How to dry out lavender

Tea, essential oils, baths salts, biscuits! The use of lavender is endless and the best time to dry out lavender is between June and August... so what are you waiting for?

In a quaint village nestled among rolling hills, there was a sprawling lavender field known for its... just kidding, there’s nothing worse than looking for instructions on how to do something and having to wade through a huge irrelevant backstory on how it came to be when all you really want to do is get straight to the point, so let's get to it!

Drying lavender out is a straightforward process. It can be done in many ways, but the easiest method is air drying, which I’ll be sharing with you in this post.

What You’ll Need:

• Freshly cut lavender

• Secateurs

• Twine, elastic band, or ribbon

Steps to Air Drying Your Lavender:

1. Harvesting

• Cut the lavender stems just before the flowers fully open. This is when their essential oils are at their peak.

2. Preparing

• Remove any leaves from the stems.

3. Bundling

• Gather the lavender stems into small bundles. Use an elastic band. twine or ribbon to secure them. Don’t overgroup your lavender; keep the bundles small enough to allow good air circulation.

4. Hanging

• Hang the bundles upside down in a dry, dark, and well-ventilated area. A warm space with good airflow is ideal. We have found that the perfect spot in our house is at the top of the cellar.

5. Drying Time & Storage

• Leave the lavender to dry for about 2-4 weeks. They are ready when the flowers and stems are brittle to the touch. Once dried, store them in an airtight container to preserve the color and fragrance.

By following these simple steps, you can easily make the most of the wild lavender growing in your garden. You can use it to make tea, infused oils, bath salts, and bug repellent. You can even sprinkle it on your carpets before you vacuum to help with the smell of both your carpets and vacuum cleaners.

Check out my last post where I shared what I learned about lavender, including its origins, uses, and how it was even used to avoid the plague!