How to Dry Lavender & Make It Last

🔑 Unlock the Full Potential of Your Lavender: A Step-by-Step Guide

Lavender, known for its captivating fragrance and versatile uses, is more than just a beautiful flower. Its applications range from crafts to culinary creations, making it an essential addition to any home or garden. To preserve its vibrant colour, sweet aroma, and natural charm, mastering the art of harvesting and drying lavender is key. Drying your own lavender is especially easy after harvesting in summer—whether you picked it fresh at Lavender Backyard Garden or grew it at home.

In this guide, you’ll learn how to harvest and dry lavender step by step — so it stays just as fragrant and beautiful as the day you picked it.

🔎 Table of Contents

✂️ How to Harvest Lavender for Drying

Before you can enjoy beautiful dried lavender, it all starts with harvesting at the right time. Knowing when and how to cut lavender ensures the best fragrance, colour, and longevity. Follow these expert tips to get the most from your lavender harvest—whether you’re drying it for crafts, décor, or culinary use.

📅 When Is the Best Time to Harvest Lavender?

For the best dried lavender bunches, clip stems when about three-quarters of the flowers on each stem are open. Look for blooms that are open at the base of the spike for the ideal balance of color and fragrance.

🚫 Why You Should Avoid Overripe Lavender Flowers

Harvesting lavender before all buds fully open helps preserve the integrity of the blossoms. Waiting too long can lead to fragile, shattering petals when dried.

🌞 Best Time of Day to Cut Lavender for Drying

Lavender flowers should be harvested in the morning after the dew has dried, ensuring that the flowers are at their peak. Avoid cutting on rainy days to prevent mildew.

📏 Choosing Stem Length for Crafting and Drying

For decorative items like wreaths, opt for longer stems, as you can always trim them after drying.

🌿 Step-by-Step Guide to Dry Lavender at Home

Drying lavender is easy and rewarding—but doing it right makes all the difference. Follow these proven tips to dry lavender flowers perfectly while preserving their colour, shape, and calming scent.

✂️ Step 1 – When and How to Harvest Lavender for Drying

Clip your lavender flowers just before they fully open, when the buds are a bright purple colour. While open blossoms are usable, they might lose some of their vibrancy during the drying process.

🌾 Step 2 – How to Bundle Lavender for Even Drying

Gather around 50 stems and bind them with a rubber band. Keeping the bundles small ensures even airflow and thorough drying.

🌒 Step 3 – Where to Dry Lavender for Best Results

Hang your lavender upside down in a cool, dark, and dry location. Avoid direct sunlight to preserve the flower colour and prevent mould.

🔄 Step 4 – Tips for Monitoring the Drying Process

Check your bundles every few days. As the stems shrink, you may need to re-tighten the bands to keep them secure.

⏳ Step 5 – How Long Does Lavender Take to Dry?

Air drying takes 2 to 4 weeks depending on humidity. Once crisp and fragrant, your lavender is ready for use.

🌸 Want beautifully dried lavender without the wait? Shop our pre-dried lavender bundles — hand-harvested, carefully dried, and ready for crafts, decor, or gifting.

🕒 How Long Does Dried Lavender Last?

Dried lavender is a natural product, and with the right care, it can last far longer than most expect. On average, dried lavender lasts 6 to 12 months, and sometimes even longer, depending on storage and climate conditions.

💐 How Long It Lasts (By Attribute)

  • Fragrance: Best within the first 6 months. Over time, the scent fades gently. To revive it, simply crush the buds to release more essential oil.
  • Color: Lavender’s vibrant purple hue is best preserved when kept away from sunlight. Expect some fading after a year.
  • Structure: If undisturbed and kept dry, dried lavender can maintain its shape and texture for up to 2 years or more.
💡 Tip: Properly dried lavender stored in the right conditions stays fragrant and beautiful for much longer than store-bought air fresheners.

Ways to Make Dried Lavender Last Longer

Keep your dried lavender fresh and fragrant with these easy tips:

  • Store in an airtight container – A sealed glass jar or tin keeps moisture and dust out.
  • Avoid humid rooms – Keep away from bathrooms, kitchens, or laundry areas.
  • Protect from sunlight – UV light fades colour and reduces scent.
  • Keep cool and dry – Room temperature is ideal. A closet or drawer works perfectly.
  • Use silica gel packets – These help absorb excess moisture in enclosed spaces.
  • Avoid frequent handling – Touching or moving dried lavender too often can cause petals to break and essential oils to dissipate.
  • Don’t crush until use – Crushing the buds releases essential oil. Wait until you're ready to enjoy the scent.
  • Use scented sachets or fabric pouches – They protect delicate buds while allowing fragrance to diffuse slowly.
  • Refresh with lavender essential oil – If scent fades, add a drop of pure lavender essential oil to your sachet or bunch for a boost.
💡 Tip: Keep your dried lavender at its best with these smart storage DOs and DON'Ts:

✅ DO: Store in a cool, dark place
❌ DON'T: Place in humid rooms like bathrooms

✅ DO: Keep lavender in airtight jars
❌ DON'T: Expose to direct sunlight

✅ DO: Add silica gel to prevent moisture
❌ DON'T: Crush buds until you're ready to use them

✨ Want a ready-made option? ✨ Want a ready-made option? Try our Pacific Blue Lavender Dried Flower — perfect for cooking, crafts, and calming spaces.

💜 Why Use Dried Lavender for Home & Wellness

Dried lavender isn’t just beautiful—it’s incredibly practical. From calming your space with its soft scent to elevating your DIY projects and home décor, this fragrant flower adds a touch of nature and elegance to everyday life. Whether you're crafting, cooking, or simply looking to unwind, dried lavender brings both charm and function into your home.

🌸 100% Natural and Versatile for Every Use

Dried lavender is perfect for crafts, décor, wellness, and more. Its natural charm brings a rustic, calming touch to any space.

🌿 Soothing Scent for Natural Relaxation

Lavender’s preserved fragrance makes it ideal for aromatherapy, sleep support, or DIY sachets and air fresheners.

🌏 Eco-Friendly and Chemical-Free

Dried lavender is a sustainable, biodegradable alternative to synthetic room sprays or plastic-heavy décor items.

🍽️ Ideal for Culinary, Craft, and Décor Projects

From wreath-making to baking, dried lavender offers endless uses:

  • Infuse into syrups or teas
  • Decorate tables or gift wrap
  • Make bath salts, sachets, or sleep pouches

🎯 Perfect For:

Crafting · Home Styling · Natural Air Freshening · Culinary Recipes · Relaxation Rituals

💡 Looking for inspiration? Discover 7 creative ways to use dried lavender in your home and daily life →

❓ FAQs About Drying and Using Lavender

1. How do you know when lavender is ready to harvest?

Lavender is best harvested when about three-quarters of the flowers on each stem have opened. This ensures maximum fragrance, colour retention, and longevity for dried lavender.

2. Can you dry lavender with the stems on?

Yes! Drying lavender with the stems intact makes it perfect for creating decorative bundles, wreaths, and floral arrangements.

3. What is the best way to store dried lavender?

To maintain fragrance and colour, store dried lavender in an airtight container away from direct sunlight, heat, and moisture.

4. How long does dried lavender last?

Properly stored dried lavender can last for months or even years. However, its fragrance may gradually fade over time. Gently crushing the buds can help refresh the scent.

5. Can you dry lavender in the sun?

No, direct sunlight can cause lavender flowers to lose their vibrant colour and essential oils. Instead, hang lavender in a cool, dark, dry place for the best results.

6. Can you use dried lavender for cooking?

Yes! Certain varieties like Lavandula angustifolia are safe for culinary use. Dried lavender can be used in teas, baked goods, seasonings, and infused syrups. Always ensure it is organic and pesticide-free.

7. Why is my dried lavender losing its fragrance?

Over time, lavender’s essential oils naturally evaporate. To revive the scent, gently crush the buds or store them in an airtight container to retain their aromatic properties.

8. Can I dry lavender in a dehydrator or oven?

While possible, air drying is the best method to preserve fragrance and colour. Dehydrators and ovens may dry lavender too quickly, reducing its essential oil content.

9. Do all lavender varieties dry well?

Some lavender varieties retain fragrance and colour better than others. The best options for drying include:

    • Lavandula x intermedia (Lavandin) – Strong scent, excellent for sachets.
    • Lavandula angustifolia (English Lavender) – Sweet fragrance, ideal for culinary use.
💡 Not sure what type of lavender you're growing? Read our guide on how to choose the right lavender variety →

👩🌾 Visit Us: Pick Your Own Lavender in NZ

Visit Lavender Backyard Garden in Newstead, Hamilton, New Zealand, during December and January for a Pick Your Own (PYO) lavender experience. Immerse yourself in the beauty of our lavender fields and take home fresh blooms to dry and enjoy.

🌿 Ready to Harvest Your Own Lavender?
Click to learn more about Summer Activities at Lavender Backyard Garden →

🌿 Want to Grow Lavender Like a Pro?

From planting to pruning and everything in between, our Lavender Plant Care & Growing Guide covers all the essential tips for nurturing strong, fragrant lavender—perfect for drying, crafting, or distilling. Start with healthy plants to enjoy the best results when harvesting your own.

 

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