The soft and fragrant lavender flowers can be easily dried and preserved so that they can be put in perfume sachets or in dried flower arrangements. In order to dry lavender, it is important to harvest the flowers at the right time, when they are the brightest in color and the aroma is strongest. You can then choose to dry them in a dark room or in the sun, depending on their intended use. Read on to learn how to dry lavender in two different ways.
Step
Method 1 of 2: Drying Lavender in a Dark Room
Step 1. Harvest lavender before the flowers are in full bloom
Cut the lavender at the base of the stem when the buds are just opening. This will ensure that the dried lavender retains its strong floral scent and vibrant purple color
Step 2. Cut a fairly mature lavender stalk just above the leaf
Try to get the stem as long as possible on the flower. In harvesting lavender, you are also pruning the plant, which helps the plant to grow strong throughout the winter.
Step 3. Gather the lavender into a bunch
Once you've harvested enough lavender stalks, collect them so they can be tied. Tap and flatten the lower ends of all the bars in your palm to make them even and neat.
Step 4. Tie the lavender stem with a rubber band
Wrap or rubber band around the lavender stem toward the base of the rootstock. Continue to wrap until the knot is tight, but not pinched. Using a rubber band instead of thread or tape will ensure the rod doesn't slide off the tie as the rod shrinks and shrinks during the drying process.
Step 5. Find a dark place to dry the lavender
Drying lavender slowly in a dark room is the best way to preserve the color, as the sun will fade the purple flowers. Look for a dry, dark place that doesn't get a lot of sunlight, such as a shed, garage, or shade under your roof.
Step 6. Hang a bunch of lavender upside down
Attach the rubber band to a hanger hook or nail. You can also tie rubber bands to hooks or shelves to hang lavender on.
Step 7. Let the lavender dry for 2 - 4 weeks
Check often to see if the lavender is dry. If it is dry, then when you rub the row of flowers, the flowers will fall easily from the stems. You can leave the dried flowers on the stems or knock them out to use in sachets for fragrance or for baking.
Method 2 of 2: Drying Lavender with the Sun
Step 1. Harvest lavender
Harvest lavender before the buds open. Cut at the base of the stem to include the stem as long as possible.
Step 2. Spread the lavender on the wooden block
A cutting board or other large piece of wood is perfect for drying lavender in the sun. If you use a metal tray, the lavender will overheat. If you use plastic, your hands may become dirty with the melt.
Step 3. Place the lavender in a place with bright sunlight
Move the cutting board or wooden block to a place that gets a lot of sunlight, either indoors or outdoors. Drying lavender this way is a much faster process than drying in a dark room, but be prepared for the sun to fade your lavender into a very pale purple.
If you live in an area that gets a lot of rain, dry the lavender indoors near a bright window or be prepared to move it inside when it looks like it's going to rain
Step 4. Allow the sun to completely dry the lavender
The hot sun will take about a week to dry the lavender. Check every few days to see if the lavender is dry. When they are dry, the flowers should fall off easily from the stems.
Tips
- If you use an easy-to-remove rubber band without breaking it, you can reuse the rubber many times.
- The scent of lavender can deter moths, so hanging lavender in your wardrobe will not only make your wardrobe smell good, but it can also deter your clothes from insect attack.
- Drying time depends on weather and climate. If you live in a humid area, lavender may take longer to dry.
