Katrina Rosales
The sweet scent of lavender is a delight, and there are many ways to preserve its fragrance. From hanging bunches of lavender to dry to using food dehydrators, the process can be simple and effective. The key is to ensure proper air circulation and to store dried lavender in airtight containers, away from sunlight and moisture. With the right care, the scent of lavender can be enjoyed for months or even years.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Variety | Choose Lavandin or English Lavender for the strongest scent |
| Harvest time | Harvest when the first flowers are starting to bloom, when the essential oils are at their peak |
| Time of day | Harvest in the morning after any dew has dried |
| Preparation | Remove damaged flowers, leaves or debris |
| Bundling | Gather 10-15 stems and tie together with twine or a rubber band |
| Hanging | Hang in a warm, dark, dry and airy room |
| Airflow | Smaller bundles are better as they allow for better airflow, reducing the risk of mould |
| Drying time | Leave for 1-6 weeks, checking periodically to ensure it is drying evenly |
| Storage | Store dried lavender in an airtight container in a cool, dark place away from sunlight, heat and moisture |
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What You'll Learn
The best time to harvest lavender for fragrance preservation
When one-third to one-half of the flowers on the stem have opened, the essential oils are at their peak, ensuring the best fragrance and preserving quality. This stage typically occurs in late spring to early summer, with another chance for a second harvest later in the season. If you're harvesting lavender for essential oils, it's best to do so when the flowers are partially open. For culinary purposes, it is recommended to harvest when just a few buds have opened, just before they fully bloom, to ensure a mild and appealing flavor.
The type of lavender you are growing will also determine the optimal harvest time. For culinary uses, English lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) is the best variety to grow. For the most fragrant dried lavender, the Lavandin (Lavandula x Intermedia) variety is recommended.
Once harvested, the preservation process is key to retaining the fragrance. The traditional method of hanging lavender to dry is the most popular and effective. Hang lavender in a warm, dark spot with good airflow to prevent mould and ensure even drying. Depending on the humidity, the lavender should dry in 1-3 days or up to six weeks. Once fully dried, store the lavender in airtight containers in a cool, dry, dark place away from sunlight and moisture. With proper storage, dried lavender can retain its fragrance for upwards of 10 years.
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How to dry lavender to retain its scent
Drying lavender is a rewarding process that allows you to retain its soothing scent for months or even years. The first step in preserving the fragrance is to harvest the lavender at the right time. The ideal time for harvesting lavender is in the morning when the dew has dried but before it gets too hot. You'll know the lavender is ready to be picked when about one-third to one-half of the flowers on the stem have opened, as this is when the essential oils are at their peak.
Before drying, you should also prepare the lavender by removing any damaged flowers, leaves, or debris. Then, gather 10 to 15 lavender stems and tie them together with twine or a rubber band, ensuring the bundle is tight enough to hold the stems together without crushing the flowers. Smaller bundles are recommended as they allow for better airflow, reducing the risk of mould and helping the lavender dry evenly.
The traditional method of hanging lavender to dry is the most popular and effective. Hang your lavender in a warm, dark spot, such as a basement or a closet. It will take about 7-10 days to dry completely. If you're looking for a faster method, you can use a food dehydrator set to a low temperature (around 95°F to 100°F). Place the lavender stems in a single layer on the dehydrator trays, ensuring they are evenly spaced. The lavender should dry in 1 to 3 days.
Once your lavender is fully dry, proper storage is essential to preserving its fragrance. Store your dried lavender in airtight containers such as glass jars, metal tins, or sealed plastic bags. Keep the containers in a cool, dry, dark place out of direct sunlight and away from any sources of heat or humidity. With proper storage, your dried lavender can retain its fragrance for several months to a year, or even upwards of 10 years.
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The best lavender varieties for fragrance
When it comes to choosing the best lavender varieties for fragrance, it's important to select those known for their high oil content and long-lasting aroma. While all lavender varieties have aromatic qualities, not all are created equal in terms of scent. Some cultivars are prized for their delightful fragrance, while others excel as accent plants with less prominent aromas.
The Lavandin (Lavandula x Intermedia) variety is widely recognised as the most fragrant lavender plant. Within this variety, the ''Grosso' cultivar stands out for its intense fragrance and striking deep violet flower spikes, earning it the nickname 'Fat Lavender'. 'Grosso' is an excellent choice for crafting wands or sachets, as its flowers retain their scent and colour when dried.
Several cultivars of English Lavender (Lavandula Angustifolia) are also highly regarded for their delightful scent. The 'Impress Purple' cultivar, for instance, features abundant and strongly scented, rich dark purple flower spikes, making it a popular choice for fresh bouquets and cut flowers. Another notable cultivar is 'Royal Velvet', known for its long-stemmed, velvety, dark purple-blue flower spikes that stand out for their rich fragrance.
If you're seeking a variety that dries well and retains its colour and fragrance, 'Hidcote' is an excellent option. It produces short but very aromatic flower stems and is well-suited for drying, edging, and culinary purposes. For those in humid climates, the 'Provence' cultivar of Lavandin is a strong choice, offering a robust fragrance and the ability to thrive in moisture-rich environments.
To maximise the fragrance of your chosen lavender variety, proper harvesting and drying techniques are essential. Cut your lavender when about one-third to one-half of the flowers on the stem have opened, as this is when essential oils are at their peak. Dry the lavender in a warm, dark spot with good airflow to prevent mould and ensure even drying. Once fully dry, store your lavender in airtight containers in a cool, dark place to prolong its scent.
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Storing dried lavender to prolong its scent
Storing dried lavender correctly is key to prolonging its scent. The best way to store dried lavender is in an airtight container, such as a glass jar, metal tin, or sealed plastic bag. This helps to retain the fragrance and protects the lavender from moisture and pests. The container should be stored in a cool, dry, and dark location, such as a basement or a closet, and kept away from direct sunlight, heat, and humidity.
It is important to ensure that the lavender is completely dry before storing it. This process can take up to three weeks, and the lavender is ready when the flowers and leaves are sharp and start to fall off the stems. If the lavender is stored while still moist, mould will develop and destroy the flowers.
To further prolong the scent of dried lavender, it is recommended to choose a variety known for its high oil content and long-lasting aroma, such as Lavandin (Lavandula x Intermedia) or English Lavender (Lavandula Angustifolia). Harvesting the lavender at the right time is also crucial; the ideal time is when about one-third to one-half of the flowers on the stem have opened, as this is when the essential oils are at their peak.
Additionally, there are a few tricks to rejuvenate the scent of dried lavender once it starts to fade. One method is to add a few drops of lavender essential oil to the flowers. Another technique is to squeeze or crush the flowers gently to release their scent. With proper storage and care, dried lavender can retain its fragrance for upwards of 10 years.
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Using lavender oil to rejuvenate dried lavender
To preserve the fragrance of dried lavender, it is important to dry and store it correctly. The traditional method of hanging lavender to dry is the most popular and effective, but you can also explore other methods depending on the available space and the desired drying speed.
When drying lavender, it should be hung in a warm, dark spot with good air circulation to ensure that it dries evenly and retains its fragrance. Once the lavender is fully dry, it should be stored in airtight containers such as glass jars, metal tins, or sealed plastic bags to protect it from moisture, pests, and light exposure. Proper storage can extend the life of dried lavender upwards of 10 years.
To rejuvenate dried lavender with lavender oil, you can follow these steps:
- Choose a carrier oil: The choice of carrier oil will depend on the intended use of the rejuvenated lavender. For skincare and moisturisers, select a lightweight oil that won't clog pores, such as grapeseed oil or jojoba oil. If you plan to use it for cooking, extra virgin olive oil is a good option.
- Prepare the lavender: Cut the lavender stems to the desired length, ensuring that you have enough to fill a jar. Remove any damaged flowers, leaves, or debris to ensure only the highest quality lavender is used.
- Dry the lavender: Spread the lavender out in a single layer on trays or hang it in bunches in a warm, dry location with good air circulation. The lavender should be completely dry before infusing it with oil.
- Infuse the lavender with oil: Fill a clean glass jar about three-quarters full with dried lavender. If using fresh lavender, lightly crush the flowers in a mortar and pestle to increase the surface area and help release their scent. Then, add enough carrier oil to completely cover the lavender. Secure the lid on the jar.
- Expose to sunlight: Place the jar on a windowsill with direct sunlight exposure and leave it for at least one week, up to three weeks. Remember to lightly shake the jar occasionally.
- Strain the lavender: Once you're happy with the infusion, use a cheesecloth to strain the lavender flowers from the oil.
- Store the infused oil: Store the infused oil in a glass container, such as a glass jar. The rejuvenated lavender oil can now be used for various purposes, such as skincare, cooking, or adding fragrance to drawers and closets.
It is important to note that the above process creates lavender-infused oil, which is different from lavender essential oil. To make lavender essential oil, you would need to invest in distilling equipment and have a larger quantity of the plant.
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Frequently asked questions
To preserve the fragrance of lavender, it is important to dry and store it correctly. First, cut the lavender when about one-third to one-half of the flowers on the stem have opened. This is when the essential oils are at their peak. Then, gather 10-15 stems and tie them together with twine or a rubber band. Make sure the bundle is tight enough to hold the stems together but not so tight that it crushes the flowers. Hang the lavender in a warm, dark, dry place with good air circulation to prevent mould from growing. It should take 7-10 days to dry. Once dry, store the lavender in an airtight container in a cool, dark place away from sunlight and moisture.
Dried lavender will retain its fragrance for several months to a year when stored correctly. To extend the fragrance further, add some lavender essential oil to the flowers to rejuvenate the scent once it starts to fade. You can also squeeze or crush the flowers to release their scent.
When selecting lavender to dry and preserve, it is important to choose varieties known for their high oil content and long-lasting aroma. The most fragrant lavender plant is the Lavandin (Lavandula x Intermedia). Several cultivars of English Lavender (Lavandula Angustifolia) are also prized for their delightful scent, such as 'Grosso', which is known for its intense fragrance and is ideal for crafting wands or sachets.
