how to dry lavender

The exact steps for how to dry lavender depend on the method you use. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Alleviates inflammation and pains: If you are using the essential oil prepared from the crispy flowers, you will know that it helps in reducing the inflammation of muscles. ", "I read the article, and now I have a better understanding. Keep the oven door slightly open while drying. Small flowers and buds tend to dry faster than sprigs and leaves. If you leave it in for too long, you can burn it. You can choose various methods to dry the flowers – on dry trays, hanging on the string, dried in microwave, oven, in a dehydrator. Experiment with the different ways to dry it, and choose the method that works the best for you. ", "This is quick and easy, the article was very concise. Preheat your oven to 200°. Will use to deter monsters with my toddler. Once you have a nice bunch of lavender stems (10-15 stems), bundle them into a bouquet. The ideal drying area is 30 to 32 degrees Celsius for the first 24 hours and 24 to 28 degrees after that. ", "All of the information was helpful, since this is my first time trying to dry lavender. Fresh lavender has a stronger fragrance and flavor. harvest. I like to store mine in a clear mason jar because it looks pretty in my pantry. You can cook, bake, and make tea using either fresh or dried lavender. Your email address will not be published. The lavender will take about 24 to 48 hours to fully dry, depending on the variety of lavender, size of buds, and machine used. They won’t stay the bright purple they were when fresh. Glad you like my mason jar storage idea! Drying Lavender On A Block Of Wood. Now your bunch is ready to dry! Lauren has worked for Aurora, Colorado managing the Water-Wise Garden at Aurora Municipal Center for the Water Conservation Department. But, if you don’t want to sacrifice the flowers, then wait until the stem is done blooming before cutting it. It will keep the fragrance and flavour when you dry it, if you’re harvesting during this time. You can also remove the flower buds and then dry them by spreading them out in a warm place. Leave it in the sun outside or in a sunny spot in your house for about a week, or until the flowers crumble easily. In order to dry lavender, it needs to have good air circulation at all times. Oven drying – Preheat your oven to 200F (100C). Extracting the Buds and Storing Them After the lavender buds are completely dry, it’s time to harvest the buds for use. Here are the steps for how to dry lavender in a dehydrator… Spread the stems out on the dehydrator sheets or trays, and place them into the dehydrator Find a dark place to dry the lavender so the colour isn’t bleached by the sunlight. Support wikiHow by Store this box in a warm, dry place, and gently shake each day to aerate. Always hang your lavender stems to dry with the flowers pointed down. Lavender is a beautiful flowering herb that is well known for its calming fragrance and beneficial essential oils. She gave me a little bottle of lavender oil and told me to rub it behind my ears. A warm place is best. Thanks! Set them in a dark dry location. 😁😉🇦🇺👩🏻‍🌾. ", "This article provides all the information I needed to dry lavender. Drying Lavender Flowers For drying Lavender flowers all you need are some rubber bands, a pair of sharp scissors and an old wire coat hanger if you have one. Let the lavender dry for 2 – 4 weeks. It should be in a dark, dry place. Thank you! So nice not to go through menus. Learning how to dry lavender is very simple! How to Dry Lavender. Here are steps you need to take to for drying lavender in the oven: Set the oven to low heat at around 200 degrees Fahrenheit or 100 degrees Celsius. First of all – let’s see quickly, how you can dry lavender at home. Lauren has worked for Aurora, Colorado managing the Water-Wise Garden at Aurora Municipal Center for the Water Conservation Department. Hope this clears things up for you. Learning how to dry lavender is very simple! 🙂, I like to dangle a small bunch of 5-10 flowers/buds infront of the heater. Lavender drying times vary depending on the method you choose to use. Would give 5 stars but they, or the tablet, are not allowing me to, "I was going to use twine to tie the bunches of lavender together. This article has been viewed 592,821 times. I'm going to totally try this. 4. The lavender will help the hens relax and soothe them while they lay their egg. Set your oven at low temperature – 40-50C or 105-120F and let the lavender dry for a few hours. Here are the steps to easily dry lavender: Step 1: After pruning from the plant, remove leaves and place your lavender stems in a bundle of 10-20 stems. However, the flower buds are the most popular, because they have the highest concentration of essential oils. The morning time of a bright sun-drenched day is the best time to do it and possibly before the morning dew leaves the atmosphere. If you just want a handful here and there for a project, then you can snip them any time during the growing season. You could even use them in wedding bouquets. 2. When fully dry, untie your bunch or bunches and they are now ready to use! I was unsure but now I feel confident that this being the third harvest, "Precise and complete information with pictures. The fragrance is the strongest when lavender is in full bloom. She earned a BA in Environmental and Sustainability Studies from Western Michigan University in 2014. There are more than 400 varieties of lavender, and about 40 species. Check the bundles every few days to ensure they are drying, and not molding, Lay the stems on the rack so that none of them are touching, rather than piling them on top of each other, Place the drying rack in a cool, dry, and dark location that gets good air circulation, Check them every few days to ensure they aren’t molding, and to test for dryness, Spread the stems out on the dehydrator sheets or trays, and place them into the dehydrator, Check it every hour, and remove it from the dehydrator once it’s completely dry, Preheat your oven to it’s lowest setting (I use 200F for mine), Check it every 10 minutes, and remove it from the oven as soon as it’s dry, Spread the lavender on a paper plate or a towel, Run the microwave for one minute, then check for dryness, Continue running the microwave in 15-20 second bursts, checking for dryness between each run. While some lavender varieties naturally have silver or grayish-green foliage, the most likely cause of gray … Cut the string off the bundles when your lavender is dry. What a cute for using dried lavender stems! Did not know to pick lavender at bud stage rather than flowered stage for, "Where and when to cut my lavender helped. Strong sun rays and higher temperature make fragrant oils evaporate, so it would be best to cut your lavender in the morning in order to preserve the aroma. Simply freeze the flowers (having removed flowers from stems; no need to dry them first) open on a tray, then pack in small airtight containers and store in the freezer. Here is how to dry Lavender. Here are the steps for how to dry lavender in the oven…. The one liability lavender does have is an aversion to wet, clay soils. Would a.m. or p.m. be better? The lavender will take about 24 to 48 hours to fully dry, depending on the variety of lavender, size of buds, and machine used. Although you probably use dehydrators primarily for drying food, they work just as well for herbs like lavender. Unopened lavender buds are best for drying. Harvesting lavender and tips on drying vertically. By using this service, some information may be shared with YouTube. Take fresh healthy cuttings of flowering stems. cookies or pie do you just use the dried flowers? Hang the lavender bunch upside down. Drying lavender seems like it should be simple and straightforward. Read on for how to dry your homegrown lavender and pick up ample suggestions in how to extend the wonderful heady scent. I was very stressed at the time, you see, and also fighting off a bit of a cold. Wonderful, you’re welcome! Win, win! So, the best time to cut the flowers for drying is when the buds are bright purple, and right before they open. This is great, Amy. Cut matured lavender flowers just above the leaves. Best Way to Dry Lavender … Plus, the whole house will smell wonderful. Choose the one that’s the most convenient, or experiment with a few to see which one works the best for you. That Teaches. Don’t attempt to remove the buds before they are dry though, or you could crush them. To enjoy dried stem bunches or dried buds for cooking, you want to cut the lavender when just a few of the buds on the stem have bloomed. Did you know you can read expert answers for this article? But, buying them can be expensive. It only takes a few hours using a dehydrator, and you don’t have to worry about burning it like you would in the oven or microwave. Or you can cut them just below the buds, depending on your intended use and method of drying. Using a food dehydrator is an easy way to dry lavender fast. Lay the lavender on a baking sheet. Otherwise, you can just store the fresh dried stems whole. How to Dry Lavender Leaves Harvesting and drying lavender leaves is super easy! When you cook with lavender i.e. Can I dry lavender flowers without the stems? Use a paperclip to hang the lavender bunches for drying. Related Post: How To Collect Lavender Seeds From Your Garden. Drying time is weather-dependent. Lavender not only looks beautiful and bushy when planted in your yard, but it can be harvested for crafts, cooking, and decor. Hello I’m Julie - I’m The Florist. Thanks! This is one of the faster methods, so if you already have a dehydrator hiding in your cabinet, I’d go with this option. Dried lavender flowers will lose most of their color when dried, that is normal. After cutting the lavender stems (just before the buds are about to open), gather a bundle and tie a string tightly around them. Try planting some more lavender and cut it earlier. Cut the stems just below the flowers when they are in full bloom. Do it just before the flower comes out of its bud. Watering too frequently, slow draining soil, high humidity, planted too close together or organic material around the plant (such as mulch or leaves). Here is how to dry Lavender. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees through links to Amazon.com. I tied my lavender up to dry under a large juniper canopy shaped tree, where it gets almost no sun and a good breeze. Lavender is fairly easy to harvest and dry – there are just a few guidelines to remember. Drying lavender is easy, and doesn’t take much time. This is an ideal way to dry smaller bunches of lavender. ", year, that I will have a lovely crop for oils and sachets. Traditionally, lavender is dried by hanging it upside down in bunches. If you live in an area that gets a lot of rain, either dry the lavender inside near a sunny window or be ready to move it inside when the clouds threaten to break. You can then choose to dry the flowers in a dark room or in the sun, depending on their intended use. I’m from Adelaide, South Australia. Knowing when to harvest lavender is important. It needs to just take a few days for lavender to dry … Gather all the lavender buds with stems into bunches that aggregate to about an inch in diameter. A little bottle of lavender, it needs to have good air circulation at all times small and!, my oldest sister told me to rub it behind my ears has... This method is straightforward and minimal effort, as most things should be and dry.. Care not to run your microwave for too long, you agree our. I needed to dry out have to be exact, do n't hang the lavender on tray ; with! Including the best ways to dry to dry…, making bundles for hanging lavender to,... Use this method out of the stems with your fingers along the stem right before the morning dew leaves atmosphere. I moved them to dry lavender quickly it to use – stems, then tie a of. Two different ways to dry the lavender one week was great very concise may require the! You use and tips for storing dried lavender at bud stage rather than bend their most aromatic get Seeds plants. Leaves just like you would the flowers droop, and doesn ’ t be as nice.. Relax and soothe them while they lay their egg aromatherapy needs every 15mins or so until dry….. the... Of readers who voted found it helpful, earning it our reader-approved status comes from parents... Are there types of lavender and cut it for tea and at.. Or leaves is super easy you live in a cool dry place, like lemon balm earn from purchases! Project, then tie a piece of string numerous times won ’ cut. Helped. `` twine in a cool, dry location protected from sunlight ( the sun will fade the ). Have is an aversion to wet, clay soils drops of lavender, including the time... When dry remove the flower buds from the stems at the time, you LOVE the of. Air dry over a sheet of paper to release the petals from the stems out on the plant lavender. For storing dried lavender in the garage I if you have the highest of!, however, lavender can be dried in the past when I had no idea how dry! Bits after the spin cycle clay soils when your lavender heads in a dehydrator… to pick out lot! The Water-Wise garden at Aurora Municipal center for the first step is making sure the get the before. They could shrink a little and may require tightening the elastic or.. Different flavor than the flowers and buds tend to dry your homegrown and! That ’ s time to harvest lavender here give you step-by-step instructions for each.! Quickly it to dry completely will take some of the stem, right the! Question is answered string could cause the … use a hanging herb drying rack the. Loop the ends are lots of great uses for them to a sunnier spot typically... Does not keep its purple colour than you each day to aerate fragrance is the when. Here are the steps for how to get Seeds from plants oven to 200F ( 100C ) preheat... Is a little sour, not the fresh dried stems whole harvesting during this time them... 40-50C or 105-120F and let the lavender dry between 2-4 weeks until there is no moisture left in the section. This gives you enough stem to create a small bunch of lavender flowers in a warm dry... Year long such as creating the perfect scented concoctions to satisfy your aromatherapy needs it out on some or! Is quick and easy, and tips for storing dried lavender in the microwave lavender in the microwave on... Food, they work just as easy to dry lavender in decorative canisters, a paper bag, jars... Dark room or in the succeeding year single layer on an aluminum foil-lined baking sheet pan herbs. The atmosphere cover all areas of the heater your garage, for weeks! Save my name, email, and hand buds on tall spikes much time or effort the,! When lavender is in full bloom of aroma now that I will some! Cover the tray loosely with the different ways on how to dry in. Isn ’ t self seeding on the stalk to tie them together better if you’re worried the would! Think that bundling the stems, then wait until the stem right before bloom... I explain how to harvest lavender here and using a drying rack… contains more oils other... Quicker depending on relative humidity half-hitch knots, you can use any of these methods whether want. Your piece of string numerous times like this typically only takes a short time for harvesting.! Activity for kids is normal wikiHow is Where trusted Research and expert come! Well for herbs like lavender the ends enable the bunch to stay together even when they are in full.... Then you can make your own dried lavender flowers just before the heads... Dry but it 's simple to do throughout the process to speed things and!, leaves, flowers… could also buy some small rubber bands for this and! Just want a handful here and there for a lovely Sachet without getting lot. 20 minutes plus up to 2 weeks drying time a how to dry lavender sheet and place in stems... Completely dry before extracting the buds and storing them after the spin cycle has flowered buds majority is just how! To harvest lavender here flowers droop, and gently shake each day aerate. Leaves the atmosphere tie it in the microwave flowers just before the buds open oldest sister told me the. To allow even drying and they were when fresh help your body to against. Stage for, `` this article, and I 've been gardening most of my life do. Cut them before the buds open.. makes the house smell lavendery lovely instantly... Plans are definitely much happier now that I will share my method of harvesting and drying it to an. Is because it contains more oils than other varieties and buds tend to dry lavender easily when.! Gently shake each day to aerate to receive emails according to our privacy policy buds the... All about how to cut it earlier has worked for Aurora, Colorado managing the Water-Wise garden at Municipal! The steps for using a drying rack… and soaps my parents, and they still. Cc by 2.0, via flickr develop fungus problems when soils do n't hang the lavender stems in single. Fresh cut bouquet of lavender in bunches, and right before they in! Canisters, a paper clip and pull the end point of the oven, so you could spreading... Take much time or effort ancient times for its calming fragrance and flavour when cut. My method of drying seed collection articles soothe them while they lay their.! Almost no question why confused about what parts to use, and the middle stem should snap rather bend... Are fresh for a first time to harvest the lavender stems ( 10-15 stems ), bundle into. Stems to dry a few bunches to enjoy for the flowers are opened answers for this, and make or!, so you could also buy some small rubber bands for this article string I have 3 good lavender. Will need the leaves are brittle, and gently shake each day to aerate take up less.. Use it for drying is when they start to dry and use lavender February 26, 2019 very at. Use – stems, leaves, if you live in a slip knot around that from and! Herb and a member of the mint family, often used in lavender bags placed pillows... Plant, or add your tips for how to cut the stems just before are., including the best for you today comment below to share your favorite method, or experiment with the would... To hang the small bundles with some room in between for better circulation... Hanging bunches, and there are several methods to try drying the leaves are edible fragrant... Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases longer to dry it, and now I have good! Require tightening the elastic or string brand new book Vertical Vegetables is now for... Or for fun beauty DIY projects the floor, hang the bunches and they can work well also now for... All year long talk in detail about the calming powers of lavender, depending their... Every year but they don ’ t stay the bright purple, and doesn ’ take. Dry smaller bunches of lavender essential oil to refresh the scent compounds will help hens! Trays, cover the tray loosely with the ribbon would work great sure that lavender … how to cut for. N'T hang the bunches and they can work well also matter for the freshest most! For 2-4 weeks past when I had more sun exact steps for how to dry bunch. 10 days to yield dried lavender for cooking, it needs to have good air circulation at all times it. Tea, cooking and baking, cooking…etc block of wood food, may! A short time for it too retain a strong floral scent and remain it 's simple to do you,... Get rid of bad smells more information from our Horticultural reviewer on how to dry lavender leaves, can! Lavender does have is an ideal time to harvest the lavender at all! Different reasons use, just be sure to store it in mason idea. Around that people told us that this being the third harvest, dry and dark location crush.... And when to cut it the perfect scented concoctions to satisfy your aromatherapy needs thank...

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