Lavender is a fragrant herb that has been used for centuries for its pleasant aroma and medicinal properties. Once harvested and dried, lavender can be used in a variety of ways – in soaps, sachets, teas, potpourri and more. However, in order to enjoy lavender’s aroma and benefits for as long as possible, it’s important to store dried lavender properly after harvesting. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to store dried lavender correctly to maintain its scent and shelf life.
Step 1: Harvest and Dry the Lavender Correctly
The first step in proper storage begins when you are harvesting and drying the lavender Lavender should be harvested when the flowers are just beginning to open and are still vibrantly colored Use clean gardening shears to cut lavender stems off just above the leaves,
Once cut, lavender needs to dried thoroughly in order to prevent mold growth during storage. Tie small bundles of 5-10 stems and hang them upside down in a warm, dry, dark area with good ventilation. Drying lavender bundles this way allows air circulation to dry the stems evenly. Lavender is fully dry when the flowers and leaves are brittle and crumble easily off the stems.
Drying lavender completely before storage is crucial – any moisture left in the buds or stems can encourage mold growth
Step 2: Separate Flowers and Stems
Once the lavender is fully dry, the next step is to separate the dried flowers and buds from the stems. Gently rub your hands up and down the bundles to remove the dried lavender pieces. Discard the dried stems, as they have no aroma.
If storing whole lavender sprigs for use in sachets or displays gently bundle 5-10 dried stems together with cotton string ribbon or a rubber band. Hang these decorative bundles separately from loose dried buds.
Step 3: Choose an Airtight Container
To retain fragrance and avoid moisture, dried lavender must be stored in airtight containers. Good options include mason jars, dark glass bottles, ceramic containers with tight-fitting lids, metal tins or plastic food storage containers. Avoid clear glass or plastic containers, as light can fade lavender’s color.
Match container size to the amount of dried lavender you have – light, air and excess space can all diminish lavender’s potency faster. For small amounts, 4 oz mason jars are ideal. For larger batches, 1 quart jars or half-gallon metal tins work well.
Step 4: Use Packets and Liners For Extra Protection
For an added layer of protection, place dried lavender buds in porous paper packets or sachets before putting them into the airtight outer container. This prevents crushing and contains any small leaf fragments. Tyvek or mesh bags also work well as inner liners.
You can make sachets by folding rectangular pieces of muslin or other breathable fabric into little bundles. Fill them halfway with lavender, then gather and tie the top with ribbon, twine or a rubber band. Place one or more filled sachets in your airtight storage container.
Step 5: Store in Cool, Dark Location
Finally, store dried lavender in a cool, dark place like a pantry or cupboard. Light, heat and fluctuations in temperature or humidity can all shorten shelf life. The ideal conditions are 60-75°F with steady 50-60% relative humidity.
Avoid warm spots like near appliances or in attics. Also keep away from areas with frequent temperature swings or moisture issues like basements and garages. The pantry, linen cupboard or kitchen cupboards make good storage spots.
Other Tips for Storing Dried Lavender
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Consider adding a natural desiccant like rice, silica gel packs or clay cat litter in the outer container to absorb excess moisture. Just keep desiccant in a separate sachet.
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Write the name and harvest date on packaging so you use the oldest lavender first.
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Open containers occasionally to allow fresh oxygen exchange and release built-up gases from the plant matter.
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Mix in a few drops of lavender essential oil to refresh older dried lavender.
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Discard any lavender that smells musty or looks moldy. Mold can spread quickly to the rest of the container.
By harvesting, drying and storing dried lavender properly, you can enjoy its heavenly scent in your home and crafts for 1-3 years. Follow these tips on containers, temperature, humidity and handling to get the most life and fragrance out of your dried lavender. With the right storage methods, you’ll be able to enjoy the benefits of your homegrown lavender long after it’s harvested from your garden.
Dried lavender buds stored in a large plastic water bottle
If you have larger amounts of dried lavender as I have, the cheapest way to store it is to keep it in large plastic recycled water bottles. I collected them as storage options for a lot of different things including lavender. I find that using wide neck plastic or metal funnel (spice funnel), also called a canning wide-mouth funnel, to pour the buds inside the bottle works well. It is pretty straightforward to pour buds in and in just a few minutes the bottle is full. Here are the photos:
Fill it up with the buds and tightly twist the bottle top.
Place the bottle in the cool, dark and shaded place, with stable, low temperature and out of the sunlight – as on photo below:
Store dried lavender in storage boxes
Although I like to use free, recycled jars and bottles, recently I bought a couple of stackable, plastic storage boxes with a lid to store this year’s harvest. It would be better if boxes are not as transparent as that way the colors of dried buds will last longer. However, I chose transparent boxes as I like to see my lavender in them. It is much prettier. This way I can save space and stack several boxes in the dark corner of my room.
You can get these storage boxes on Amazon or in your local shop. They are not expensive and are very practical. Look for stackable, transparent storage boxes with lids and ideally with a capacity of 5 to 15 liters. Avoid boxes with ventilation as lavender should be stored in an air-tight container.
How to Dry Lavender Tip (Plus the most interesting use for dried lavender)
FAQ
How to store dried lavender long term?
Dried lavender can last for several months to a year, retaining its fragrance and color when stored properly. For best results, store dried lavender in an airtight container in a cool, dark place away from sunlight and moisture. Lavenders with higher oil content may retain their fragrance longer.
Should dried lavender be kept in water?
✅ Dos and ❌ Don’ts of Dried Lavender
✔ Store in a cool, dry place away from sunlight to preserve fragrance & color. ✔ Ensure lavender stays dry to prevent it from becoming soggy.
How long is dried lavender supposed to last?
You’ll know when your lavender has gone moldy because it has an almost horsey smell to it. Most lavender will keep a very strong fragrance for an entire season when dried, but when you store and care for it correctly you can extend that life upwards of 10 years.
How do you activate dried lavender?
- Place dried lavender sachet bud in a small jar.
- Select your base oil – sweet almond and olive oil are all good choices.
- Cover the lavender with the base oil.
- Label the jar with the day’s date.
- Allow it to steep for four weeks.
- Shake the jar occasionally.