As for how to dry lavender, it’s easy! Of the different types of lavender, go for the English or French varieties, since they contain plenty of oils. You can dry either the flowers, or the leaves and sprigs. Make sure you cut the lavender buds from the plant before the flowers open.
How do you dry French lavender buds?
Hang bundles upside down to dry in a dark, warm spot. Protect drying lavender from sunlight to retain best color, and place a sheet beneath the bundles to catch any buds or blooms that might fall. You should have dried lavender bunches in about seven to 10 days, depending on humidity.
How long does dried French lavender last?
about 2 to 3 years
Properly stored, dried lavender will generally stay at best quality for about 2 to 3 years. To maximize the shelf life of dried lavender purchased in bulk, and to better retain flavor and potency, store in containers with tight-fitting lids.
What can I do with dried French lavender?
10 Fun & Easy Ways to Use Dried Lavender Bud
- Here are 10 very simple ways to use your fragrance lavender buds to bring that beautiful scent into your home.
- Sprinkle on Carpets.
- Lavender Infused Oil.
- Lavender Bath Salts.
- Bug Repellent.
- Gift Wrap Decor.
- Natural Car Air Freshener.
- Dryer Sachet.
What can I do with fresh French lavender?
What To Do With Lavender: 20 Fun Recipes + Ideas
- Create a Shower Bundle.
- Carpet Freshener.
- Make Lavender Soap.
- Use Lavender for Gift Wrapping.
- Make Homemade Candles.
- Make Bath Salts.
- Pet Deodorizer.
- Linen Spray.
Do you have to hang lavender to dry?
The most simple way to dry fresh lavender is to let it hang dry. Collect handful-size bouquets, secure the stems together with twine or a rubber band, and hang them upside down to passively dry. If you harvested a lot of lavender at once, it is best to create and hang several small bunches rather than one large one.
When should you cut lavender for drying?
To enjoy dried stem bunches or dried buds for cooking, you’ll want to cut the lavender when just a few of the buds on the stem have bloomed. This will allow you to enjoy a more vibrant color in the dried stems and the buds do not fall off as easily once dried.
Why does my dried lavender not smell?
The reason lavender doesn’t smell is usually because either it is not receiving enough sunlight or it is planted soil that is too fertile. Lavenders need full sun and low to medium fertility soil in order to produce the oil which is responsible for their characteristic aroma.
Can dried lavender get moldy?
You’ll know when your lavender has gone moldy because it has an almost horsey smell to it. Most lavender will keep a very strong fragrance for an entire season when dried, but when you store and care for it correctly you can extend that life upwards of 10 years.
Does dried lavender still smell?
Generally, dried Lavender will keep its delightful fragrance for a season. Lavenders with higher oil content, such as Lavandula x intermedia ‘Grosso’, will stay fragrant longer. Squeeze or crush the flowers to release the scent.
How do you hang lavender to dry?
Hanging Lavender To Dry
- Once you have a nice bunch of lavender stems (10-15 stems), bundle them into a bouquet.
- Tie the base of the stems using twine or string, leaving one end long for hanging.
- Hang the bundles in a cool, dry location protected from sunlight (the sun will fade the color).
Can you hang dried lavender in the shower?
You can also create bath bouquets to hang in your shower with lavender, rosemary, mint, and lemongrass stems, according to Apartment Therapy. Simply wrap the plants with natural twine and attach to your shower head—it’s that easy.
Can you dry lavender in a vase?
You could try drying your lavender the right way up – dry in a vase. The problem with this though, is that it’ll flop sideways through lack of water and will dry into curved lengths, which are a bit impractical to use.
Do you use lavender leaves or flowers?
Think rosemary: We use its potent, needle-like leaves, while its gorgeous flowers are a seasonal bonus. Lavender leaves are edible and very strongly flavored. If using the flowers, strip them from the spike, or use them whole.
What part of the lavender plant is used for tea?
buds
The most common way lavender is consumed is by brewing a tea from its buds. Brewing lavender buds into a tea helps release the oils and scents.
What can I do with lavender leaves and stems?
Lavender Leaves :: Ideas and Recipes
- Vinegar. Steep in vinegar and use in vinaigrettes or as a cleaning product.
- Simple Syrup. Simmer a couple stems in a simple syrup and add to lemonade, iced tea or cocktails.
- Tea.
- Mixed with Fresh Cheese.
- Scented Sugar.
- Cookies.
- Cake.
- Dried Herb Mixture.
Why do you hang lavender upside down?
The darkness helps the lavender retain its color, and drying lavender upside-down helps lavender retain its blossom shape.
How do you harvest French lavender?
Harvesting and drying lavender is simple – simply snip off the stems just before the flowers open and when you’ve gathered enough for your needs, tie the stems together and hang them up to dry somewhere sheltered.
Can you use the leaves of lavender?
Lavender is a unique herb in that every part of the plant—bud, stem, and leaf—can be used in cooking. While the lavender flowers and leaves can be used fresh, the buds and stems can be used dried.
Can you harvest lavender in October?
Late summer and fall are also great times to gather and harvest lavender for decorations and sachets if you missed out in the spring. No matter when you harvest, make sure to leave at least two full sets of leaves on the stems you harvest.
Will lavender grow back after cutting?
“It’s true that lavender doesn’t regenerate if you cut hard back like this, but you can often find signs of young shoots sprouting from those lower, woody stems. This is a good indication that hard pruning could help to regenerate the plant.