Lavender is a beautiful flora that can make a smashing ribbon for your home or garden . witness out how to dry out lavender and what to do with dry lavender flowers ! Lavender is a perennial plant life that has lovely bloom that you could use for medal . There is a lot of wellness benefits to the oil that can be extracted from this plant life . Just have this plant around the house or in the garden is also very helpful ; it keeps mosquito away and attracts good bugs . dry efflorescence are also good because they smell nice and keep moths out from clothes . We suggest how to develop dried lavender yourself .
Lavender is a versatile and fragrant herbaceous plant that can be used impudent or dried in cookery , crafts , aromatherapy , and more . To get the most out of your dried lavender , it ’s important to put in it correctly after harvest . right computer storage will help retain the color , scent , tang , and medicative qualities .
Harvest and Dry Lavender for Storing
The first footprint is harvest lavender at the right clock time and drying it completely . Here are some tips :
harvest home when flowers are to the full heart-to-heart and vibrantly dyed . This is ordinarily mid to late summer .
Cut stem long around 6 in below the bloom spike .
Gather into small bundles and hang upside down in a dark , teetotal , well - ventilated expanse .
Allow to dry for 1 - 2 hebdomad until stems are brickly and buds crumble off easily
To test if in full dry , position lavender sprigs in an airtight bag overnight . If moisture condenses at heart , keep on dry .
Once dry out , scratch flowers off stems and remove any leaves or debris .
right drying is all-important to prevent mold growth in storage . Only store lavender that is completely dry .
Choose the Right Storage Containers
The container you put in dried lavender in are important . idealistic options include :
Avoid containers prone to unchanging build - up like plastic bag , which can make buds stick . choose for food - grade materials free of smell or tasting . Match container size to the amount being stored .
Store in a Cool, Dark Place
Keep your dry lavender storehouse container in a nerveless , dark place away from heat , humidness , and sunlight . Ideal conditions are about 60 ° F and under 50 % comparative humidity .
The pantry , cellar , or cupboard are good choice . you could also salt away in a closet or under the layer . Just do n’t forget it ’s there !
Light exposure will fade the prime . heating plant and moisture encourage mold growth .
Use Within 1 Year for Best Quality
in good order stored in airtight containers in cool , dark conditions , dried lavender will retain its potency for 1 - 2 years .
For best color , bouquet , and flavor , aim to use your dry lavender within 12 months . After that , it will tardily degrade .
you’re able to refresh erstwhile lavender with drops of essential vegetable oil or by mixing in fresher dried bud .
Extra Tips for Storing Lavender Sprigs
To store whole dried lavender sprigs , follow these extra tips :
take varieties that hold buds well like ‘ Provence ’ or ‘ Grosso ’ .
ingroup sprigs generally in containers to stave off bump off bud .
Use larger containers to suit stems .
Expect a shorter shelf life history around 6 calendar month .
Consider hanging branchlet bundles in a coolheaded , dry closet .
What to Avoid When Storing Dried Lavender
Just as important as what to do is what not to do when storing dried lavender :
Do n’t store lavender that is not altogether dry . Any wet can lead to mold .
forfend tender , humid , or bright locations which take down tone .
Do n’t use charge plate bags long - condition due to potential static build - up .
Do n’t leave lavender sit down out after drying ; store immediately .
Do n’t lay in lavender near strong - smell food for thought or products .
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to some plebeian questions about storing dried lavender :
How do you keep dried lavender from losing its scent?
fund in airtight containers in a cool , obscure spot . apply within 1 year and add drops of lavender oil to refreshen old lavender .
Does dried lavender go bad?
It wo n’t bollocks but will put down , losing aroma , color , and flavor over 1 - 2 years . Stored improperly , it can mould .
How long does dried lavender last?
lay in well in airtight containers in coolheaded , low - spark weather condition , dry out lavender lasts 1 - 2 years . Whole sprigs may only last 6 month .
Can you store dried lavender in the fridge?
Yes , the low temperature of the refrigerator is idealistic for storage . Just keep in an airtight container .
What is the shelf life of dried lavender?
Kept in right conditions , dried lavender buds can last up to 2 years , while whole sprigs only 6 - 12 months before timber decline .
Get the Most From Your Lavender Harvest
How do you dry lavender in pouches? – storing dried flowers
ironical lavender can be kept seal in a tightly capped jar until use ( avoid plastic and alloy packaging ) . It can also be immediately poured into textile pouches with a decorative lavender motif .
For fragrance sachet , it is serious to prefer pouches made of material characterize by high odour permeability . Organza pouches and definitive linen pouches for example , will bring perfectly here .
When to harvest lavender?
lilac-colored for drying is harvested in July or August . you may already see what color the flush stems are , since most of the flowers are still in their buds , just before they bloom fully . This is when most of the all important oil are found in lavender .
Interestingly , the time of harvesting is also of some importance . It ’s best to do it in the middle of the day , when the oils are more hard than in the evening , and the plant has had time to dry from the morn dew , which could cause mould to uprise during drying . The plant is best cut with sharp secateurs .
