Lavender is a beautiful plant that can make a great decoration for your home or garden. Find out how to dry lavender and what to do with dried lavender flowers! Lavender is a perennial plant that has lovely flowers that you can use for decoration. There is a lot of health benefits to the oil that can be extracted from this plant. Just having this plant around the house or in the garden is also very helpful; it keeps mosquitoes away and attracts good bugs. Dried flowers are also good because they smell nice and keep moths away from clothes. We suggest how to prepare dried lavender yourself.
Lavender is a versatile and fragrant herb that can be used fresh or dried in cooking, crafts, aromatherapy, and more. To get the most out of your dried lavender, it’s important to store it correctly after harvest. Proper storage will help retain the color, scent, flavor, and medicinal qualities.
Follow this complete guide to learn how to properly store dried lavender for long-lasting quality
Harvest and Dry Lavender for Storing
The first step is harvesting lavender at the right time and drying it completely. Here are some tips:
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Harvest when flowers are fully open and vibrantly colored. This is usually mid to late summer.
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Cut stems long around 6 inches below the flower spikes.
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Gather into small bundles and hang upside down in a dark, dry, well-ventilated area.
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Allow to dry for 1-2 weeks until stems are brittle and buds crumble off easily
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To test if fully dry, place lavender sprigs in an airtight bag overnight. If moisture condenses inside, continue drying.
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Once dried, rub flowers off stems and remove any leaves or debris.
Proper drying is crucial to prevent mold growth in storage. Only store lavender that is completely dry.
Choose the Right Storage Containers
The containers you store dried lavender in are important. Ideal options include:
- Airtight glass jars or bottles
- Ceramic containers with tight-fitting lids
- Metal tins or boxes
- Heavy-duty plastic bags or storage bins
Avoid containers prone to static build-up like plastic bags, which can make buds stick. Opt for food-grade materials free of smell or taste. Match container size to the amount being stored.
Store in a Cool, Dark Place
Keep your dried lavender storage containers in a cool, dark place away from heat, humidity, and sunlight. Ideal conditions are about 60°F and under 50% relative humidity.
The pantry, cellar, or cupboard are good choices. You can also store in a closet or under the bed. Just don’t forget it’s there!
Light exposure will fade the flowers. Heat and moisture encourage mold growth.
Use Within 1 Year for Best Quality
Properly stored in airtight containers in cool, dark conditions, dried lavender will retain its potency for 1-2 years.
For best color, fragrance, and flavor, aim to use your dried lavender within 12 months. After that, it will slowly degrade.
You can refresh old lavender with drops of essential oil or by mixing in fresher dried buds.
Extra Tips for Storing Lavender Sprigs
To store whole dried lavender sprigs, follow these additional tips:
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Choose varieties that hold buds well like ‘Provence’ or ‘Grosso’.
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Pack sprigs loosely in containers to avoid knocking off buds.
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Use larger containers to accommodate stems.
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Expect a shorter shelf life around 6 months.
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Consider hanging sprig bundles in a cool, dry closet.
What to Avoid When Storing Dried Lavender
Just as important as what to do is what not to do when storing dried lavender:
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Don’t store lavender that is not completely dry. Any moisture can lead to mold.
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Avoid warm, humid, or bright locations which degrade quality.
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Don’t use plastic bags long-term due to potential static build-up.
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Don’t leave lavender sitting out after drying; store immediately.
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Don’t store lavender near strong-smelling foods or products.
Follow these do’s and don’ts, and your dried lavender will stay fresh up to a year or more. With proper storage, you can enjoy your harvest to the fullest.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to some common questions about storing dried lavender:
How do you keep dried lavender from losing its scent?
Store in airtight containers in a cool, dark place. Use within 1 year and add drops of lavender oil to refresh old lavender.
Does dried lavender go bad?
It won’t spoil but will degrade, losing aroma, color, and flavor over 1-2 years. Stored improperly, it can mold.
How long does dried lavender last?
Stored well in airtight containers in cool, low-light conditions, dried lavender lasts 1-2 years. Whole sprigs may only last 6 months.
Can you store dried lavender in the fridge?
Yes, the low temperature of the refrigerator is ideal for storage. Just keep in an airtight container.
What is the shelf life of dried lavender?
Kept in proper conditions, dried lavender buds can last up to 2 years, while whole sprigs only 6-12 months before quality declines.
Get the Most From Your Lavender Harvest
Follow this guide for storing your dried lavender correctly to retain its aromatic and therapeutic qualities as long as possible. With the proper containers, storage location, and use-by timeframes, you can enjoy your harvest for many months to come.
How do you dry lavender in pouches? – storing dried flowers
Dry lavender can be kept sealed in a tightly capped jar until use (avoid plastic and metal packaging). It can also be immediately poured into fabric pouches with a decorative lavender motif.
For fragrance sachets, it is best to choose pouches made of material characterised by high odour permeability. Organza pouches and classic linen pouches for example, will work perfectly here.
When to harvest lavender?
Lavender for drying is harvested in July or August. You can already see what color the flower stems are, since most of the flowers are still in their buds, just before they bloom fully. This is when most of the essential oils are found in lavender.
Interestingly, the time of harvesting is also of some importance. It’s best to do it in the middle of the day, when the oils are more concentrated than in the evening, and the plant has had time to dry from the morning dew, which could cause mold to grow during drying. The plant is best cut with sharp secateurs.
