Drying Lavender Flowers

Drying your own Lavender flowers is easy and great fun

At our Little Woodcote Estate Farm, we grow over 50 acres of Lavender. Although we use much of this lavender for the production of essential oil, a lot of this Lavender is also dried, which is then used in products throughout the year.

If you have Lavender plants in your garden then drying the Lavender is a great way to make use of the flowers year round.

The first important factor to consider is when in the year to cut the flowers for drying. It is best to cut them before they reach full bloom (when the little buds are fully open). This just means that the plant retains its smell for longer.

Cut the Lavender just above the foliage so you have a stem with flowers. If you can use a longer stemmed variety it is easier.

Bunch the Lavender and tie together, preferably using a rubber band. This is because as the lavender dries it will shrink.

Hang the bunches upside down somewhere in dry and away from sunlight such as a garage.

You can then leave the lavender to dry. It can take anywhere from 1 week, however it will depend upon the temperature and humidity of the area they are dried in. It usually takes around 2-4 weeks to be ready. Check them regularly until they are brittle and dry feeling. It is best to make sure they are fully dry before using, to prevent any risk of them growing mould/fungus.