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Harvesting, Drying, and Using Lavender

You’ve grown beautiful lavender—now it’s time to enjoy the fruits (or flowers) of your labor. Harvesting, drying, and using lavender makes all your hard work worthwhile. From knowing exactly when to cut the stems to exploring creative ways to enjoy them, here’s what you need to know.

If you haven’t started growing your own lavender yet, I highly recommend taking a look at my posts on How to Grow Lavender and How to Choose the Best Lavender Variety. These guides will set you up for success—especially if you’re gardening in hot summer climates.

When & How to Harvest Lavender

• Harvest when the first few flowers on the buds on a stem have opened. This sweet spot captures peak fragrance and oil content.
• Snip your lavender after the dew evaporates but before the midday sun intensifies.
• Use clean scissors or pruners, cutting just above the leafy part of the stem. (Avoid the woody, brown section.)

Drying & Storing Lavender

• Tie small handfuls of stems with twine or rubber bands and hang them upside down in a dry, shady area.
• Too much light can bleach the blooms and reduce their natural oils.
• In arid climates, lavender may dry in as little as a week. The stems should snap easily when fully dried.
• Once it’s dry, store buds in airtight containers away from bright light to preserve color and scent for up to a year.

Favorite Ways to Use Lavender

Culinary Uses:

• Herbes de Provence: Blend dried lavender with rosemary, thyme, oregano, and marjoram for a classic French seasoning.
• Lavender Sugar or Syrup: Infuse sugar or simple syrup for lemonade, cocktails, baked goods, or ice cream.
• Sweet vs. Savory: Royal Velvet and other English types are ideal for desserts; lavandins like ‘Provence’ are great in savory dishes.

If you love adding a floral touch to recipes, be sure to check out my post on growing and using edible flowers – it’s full of ideas for adding blossoms to your dishes.

Relaxation & Self-Care:

• Create small sachets or eye pillows to enjoy that soothing aroma at bedtime. These are the bags I use from Amazon.
• If you use essential oils, add a drop or two of lavender or a headache salve to your bath.

Craft Projects:

• Lavender Loofah Soap: This is my personal favorite! It’s a fun way to combine homegrown lavender with dried loofah slices. If you want more ideas for working with loofahs, read this post about What to Do with Loofah.
• You can also find more DIY inspiration (like making holiday gifts) in Gifts from the Garden: Homegrown Holiday Ideas.

Share the Love

• Neighbor Gifts: Giving small bags of dried lavender is a sweet gesture if you’re short on time. Or, check out Neighbor Gifts: Wildflower Seed Packets for another quick, garden-inspired idea.

Experiment with different varieties, harvest times, and creative uses—you’ll quickly see why lavender remains a beloved herb for cooks, crafters, and gardeners alike.