How To Store Dried Lavender
Things Needed
- Lavender plants
- Rubber bands
- Cookie sheet
- Glass jars
- Lavender essential oil
Warning
It is dangerous to consume lavender that has been sprayed with chemicals during their growing process. Lavender that has been refreshed with lavender essential oil cannot be consumed either.
The fruits of a lavender crop can spruce up your home, cooking or craft projects. Lavender buds can fill sachets or eye pillows. They can be baked into cookies, added to oil or sugar and used to spruce up a homemade salad dressing. Around the home, bundles can be used to scent your closet, dresser drawers or herbal bath. First, though, it is important to know how to properly store your lavender once you've harvested and dried your plants.
Step 1
Harvest your lavender before the flowers begin to open. You can harvest just the buds by stripping them off with your fingers into a container, or you can cut full stalks off and bind them together with rubber bands.
- The fruits of a lavender crop can spruce up your home, cooking or craft projects.
Step 2
Spread your buds out on a cookie sheet to dry. Separate your stalks into small bundles no more than ½ inch thick and secure them with a rubber band. Place all of your lavender in a cool and dry spot to dry for a week. Don't put your lavender in sunlight because it will cause the color and fragrance to degrade.
Step 3
Monitor their drying process. Once they are done drying, decide how you want to use your lavender. Whether it is being used for food, crafts or potpourri effects the way you will store your flowers.
- Spread your buds out on a cookie sheet to dry.
- Place all of your lavender in a cool and dry spot to dry for a week.
Step 4
Place any lavender you want to use for cooking or tea in your air-tight jar. Close the lid tightly. Put your jar in a cool and dark cabinet for storage. They may also be stored in your refrigerator. This type of storage works well for your lavender buds. The buds can be used for cooking for up to 6 months. Use older buds for crafts.
- Place any lavender you want to use for cooking or tea in your air-tight jar.
- This type of storage works well for your lavender buds.
Step 5
Store bundles of lavender you want to use to freshen your house by hanging them in your closet. Put bundles or buds in a plastic bag in your dresser drawer, cabinets or anywhere that is cool and dry. Refresh the lavender you are using to scent your house by spritzing them with essential oil every 6 months.