Lance Carson
Lavender is a flower of Mediterranean origin, and its calming fragrance and beautiful appearance make it a popular choice for crafts, essential oils, and decorative purposes. The scent of lavender is highly valued, and there are several methods to preserve its fragrance and colour. The most common and traditional way is to hang lavender to dry, but it can also be dried using a food dehydrator or an oven. Proper preparation and storage are key to ensuring that the lavender retains its fragrance and colour.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Harvesting time | Prime time for picking lavender is when the flowers are still tight buds. |
| Harvesting method | Cut the lavender with scissors right below the second set of leaves, leaving at least six inches of stem attached. |
| Hanging method | Hang the bunches upside down in a well-ventilated area away from direct sunlight. |
| Hanging location | Hang the lavender in a warm, dark, and dry spot, such as a closet or basement. |
| Hanging duration | Leave the lavender to dry for about one to four weeks until the flowers feel crisp. |
| Storage method | Store dried lavender in airtight containers such as glass jars, metal tins, or sealed plastic bags. |
| Storage location | Keep the containers in a cool, dry place out of direct sunlight and away from heat and humidity. |
| Storage duration | Dried lavender can retain its fragrance for several weeks to upwards of ten years when stored and cared for correctly. |
| Scent rejuvenation | Sprinkle lavender essential oil on the blooms or squeeze/crush the flowers to release their scent. |
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What You'll Learn
Choose the right time to harvest lavender
Choosing the right time to harvest lavender is crucial for capturing its maximum fragrance and essential oils. The timing can vary depending on the intended use of the lavender. If you're harvesting lavender to extract essential oils, it's best to do so when the flowers are about one-third to one-half open. For culinary purposes, it is recommended to harvest just before the flowers open, ensuring that you dry the buds before use. For dried lavender, wait until most of the flower buds have matured but are not fully open.
The best time for harvesting is in the morning after the dew has evaporated but before the midday sun or the heat of the day sets in. The oils in the lavender are at their most concentrated early in the day, and avoiding the sun will help retain the natural essential oils and aroma. Avoid harvesting in the late afternoon or during high heat, as the oils may have diminished slightly.
Harvesting too early or too late can impact the quality of the lavender's fragrance and oil. The optimal harvest time depends on the specific variety of lavender and what you plan to use it for. Each variety has its optimal time frame for cutting to ensure the best quality of buds and oils. Generally, lavender is ready for harvest once it starts blooming. For crafts and decoration, harvest the lavender when the flowers are partially opened, ensuring that the display maintains its aesthetic quality with robust purple, pink, or white blooms.
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Prepare the lavender for drying
Preparing lavender for drying is a simple process, but it requires attention to detail to ensure the best results. The first step is to harvest the lavender at the right time. The prime time for picking lavender is soon after the flowers come out while they are still tightly formed. Picking the flowers when they are still young and in bud form will give you a more concentrated flavour and aroma. The best time of day to harvest is in the mid-morning, after the dew has dried off, as this is when the oils are most concentrated.
Once you have identified the flowers to pick, use a pair of scissors to cut the lavender stems at a point below the second set of leaves. Leave at least six inches of stem attached, as you can always trim them later. Gather 10 to 15 stems and tie them together with twine or thin rubber bands. The bundle should be tight enough to hold the stems together but not so tight that it crushes the flowers. Smaller bundles are recommended to allow for better airflow during the drying process.
Before hanging your lavender to dry, inspect the stems and remove any damaged flowers, leaves, or debris. This ensures that only the highest-quality lavender is dried. It is now ready for the drying process.
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Hang the lavender to dry
Hanging lavender to dry is the most common and traditional way of drying the flower. It is also a decorative way of doing it, provided you like the rustic look of herbs hanging in your house.
To hang the lavender to dry, you'll first need to harvest it from your garden or yard. The best time to pick lavender is in the mid-morning, just after the dew has dried off, as this is when the oils are the most concentrated. Cut the lavender with scissors right below the second set of leaves, leaving at least six inches of stem attached. You can always trim the stems later.
Once you've cut the lavender, gather 10 to 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. Smaller bundles are recommended because they allow for better airflow, reducing the risk of mould and helping the lavender dry evenly.
Hang the lavender upside down with a piece of twine on a hook on a wall or door, or on a clothesline between two spots on the wall. You can also use rubber bands looped around a clothes hanger and then looped around the bunches. The best place to hang lavender to dry is a well-ventilated area that is out of direct sunlight and in a room that is not too hot, cold, or humid. A warm, dark spot, like a closet, is ideal. If the bunches of lavender are small, you can attach the clusters to the twine using wooden clothespins.
Lavender takes about one to four weeks to dry completely. Once it's done drying, you can use your dried lavender in a few different ways, such as diffusing it before bed or sprinkling lavender essential oil on the blooms to refresh the scent.
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Use a food dehydrator
Using a food dehydrator is a quick and effective way to dry your lavender and preserve its fragrance. However, it should be noted that this method can sometimes reduce the intensity of the scent. If you wish to proceed with this method, here are the steps you should follow:
Prepare the Lavender
Before placing the lavender in the food dehydrator, it is important to prepare the flowers for drying. First, inspect the lavender stems and remove any damaged flowers, leaves, or debris. This ensures that only the highest-quality lavender is dried. Gather 10 to 15 lavender stems and tie them together with twine or a rubber band. Make sure the bundle is secure but not too tight to avoid crushing the flowers. Smaller bundles are recommended to allow for better airflow, which helps reduce the risk of mold and promotes even drying.
Set the Dehydrator Temperature
Set your food dehydrator to the lowest possible temperature, ideally around 95°F to 100°F (35°C). This low temperature is crucial, as higher heat can negatively impact the fragrance and colour of the lavender.
Arrange the Lavender in the Dehydrator
Place the lavender stems in a single layer on the dehydrator trays, ensuring they are evenly spaced and do not touch each other. This arrangement allows for optimal airflow and even drying.
Monitor the Drying Time
Depending on the specific model of your dehydrator and the humidity levels, the lavender should be fully dry within 1 to 3 days. However, it is important to monitor the process periodically to achieve your desired level of dryness.
Store the Dried Lavender
Once your lavender is completely dry, proper storage is essential to preserving its fragrance and preventing mold or fading. Store your dried lavender in airtight containers such as glass jars, metal tins, or sealed plastic bags. This helps to retain the fragrance and protects the lavender from moisture, pests, and external factors that can cause deterioration. Keep the containers in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight, heat sources, and humidity.
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Store the dried lavender
Once your lavender is fully dry, it's time to store it in a way that will preserve its fragrance for as long as possible. The best way to store dried lavender is in airtight containers or packaging such as glass jars, metal tins, or sealed plastic bags. Zip lock bags are also a good option. This helps to retain the fragrance and protects the lavender from moisture, pests, and mould.
When storing your dried lavender, choose a cool, dry place out of direct sunlight and away from any sources of heat or humidity, such as a heater or air conditioner. Basements, closets, and cupboards are good options as they tend to be dark and well-ventilated. If you're using a cupboard or closet, make sure it's not too cold, as this could affect the lavender.
It's important to keep your dried lavender away from light, heat, and humidity as these elements can cause the colour to fade and the fragrance to weaken. Light exposure will eventually de-colourise your dried lavender after about a year.
To extend the life of your dried lavender, add a few drops of 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. With proper storage and care, dried lavender can retain its strong fragrance for upwards of 10 years.
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Frequently asked questions
To preserve the fragrance of lavender bunches, it is important to dry the lavender properly. The traditional method of hanging lavender to dry is the most popular and effective way. Gather 10 to 15 lavender stems and tie them together with twine or a rubber band. Make sure the bundles are small and spaced apart for proper airflow, reducing the risk of mould and helping the lavender dry evenly. Hang the lavender in a warm, dark, well-ventilated spot, away from direct sunlight, heat, and humidity.
Hang the lavender bunches for about one to four weeks until the flowers feel crisp.
Alternative methods to hanging lavender to dry include using a food dehydrator or oven. For a faster process, you can use a food dehydrator set to a low temperature of around 95°F to 100°F. Arrange the lavender stems in a single layer on the dehydrator trays, ensuring they are evenly spaced. Oven drying can be done by preheating the oven to its lowest setting (around 180°F or 80°C). Spread the lavender stems on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, ensuring they are evenly spaced apart.
To store dried lavender, use airtight containers such as glass jars, metal tins, or sealed plastic bags. Store the containers in a cool, dry place out of direct sunlight and away from any sources of heat or humidity.
To refresh the scent of dried lavender, 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.
