Lavender is an immensely useful herb, used in cooking, baking, crafts and sachet-making applications. Additionally, lavender makes for an easy garden plant.
In this article, we'll go over how to dry lavender and various methods. It's simple and fun - take it from me!
Hanging
Hanging bunches in a dark place is the oldest, traditional and most commonly employed method of drying lavender flowers, helping preserve both their fragrance and color while simultaneously drying. Bundles may take up to six weeks to finish drying off completely.
Lavender buds and stems can be dried for use as decorative accents, potpourri or scented sachets, as well as culinary use to add floral-scented flavoring. Dried lavender also adds floral flavoring when cooking or baking!
To harvest lavender for drying, select full bloom and non-fully open flowers or sprigs that have not yet reached their fullest bloom state. If possible, choose bunches with longer stems as this will provide more opportunities to create floral arrangements. Once harvested, run it under tap water to flush away any dust or dirt lingering on its leaves and stems before running under tap water again to wash any unwanted pests away from entering buds and flowers. When ready, lavender should be placed in a dark location for up to six weeks for complete drying before placing into a dark place until ready for drying in another six week.
Oven
Lavender leaves are just as fragrant and easy to dry as lavender flowers, making them perfect for creating homemade lavender sachets for an exquisite scent in any room.
Hanging is the preferred method for drying lavender. Although this takes more time, its results make the effort worthwhile; hanging allows more air circulation to the plant while simultaneously protecting more essential oils from being lost during drying.
To hang lavender, gather stems together and tie them securely using string or yarn. It's crucial that the bundle stays together during the drying process, so tie firmly! Additionally, wrapping stem ends with rubber bands or twine can prevent them from coming loose as they shrink during drying. Finally, find a dark and warm space where your bundles can hang, checking regularly for moisture or brittleness and eventually taking them down once they have completely dried out.
Dehydrator
Utilizing a dehydrator is a quick and efficient way to dry lavender flowers quickly. The process will only take a few hours, while the flowers retain both their color and aroma during this process.
To use a dehydrator to dry lavender buds and leaves, place the stalks on a tray that allows warm air to flow beneath them. Preheat the dehydrator to 110 degrees Fahrenheit before switching it on; leave the tray of lavender in for several hours, until its flowers and buds feel dry when touched by hand.
To ensure the lavender is completely dried out, run your fingers along each stem to test for moisture. When the lavender feels brittle and the moisture has left its place, store the dried lavender in an airtight container; it should last at least a year or longer without mold or mildew growth. It is best not to wash before drying as this may interfere with its drying process and lead to mold or mildew growth.
Air Drying
Lavender plants prefer warm and dry conditions and don't thrive in moist soil conditions, making harvesting lavender flowers at just the right moment vital to ensure an abundant crop with reduced fragrance and structure than if done later. Waiting too long could result in shorter plants that produce less fragrance than those harvested sooner.
When selecting the ideal environment to dry lavender bundles, make sure it is cool and dark without direct sunlight or other sources of heat. This will help preserve their purple hue as well as prevent evaporation. If hanging bundles, ensure they are wrapped securely with rubber bands so they do not come undone during drying.
Pruning shears or secateurs with sharp blades should be used to ensure a precise cut, especially if hanging your lavender flowers. When cutting at an appropriate location (i.e. near branching junction), use scissors that cut straight across and above each leaf axis.
