Lavender is a versatile plant that can be used for a variety of purposes, including culinary, medicinal, and decorative applications. Every part of the plant—from the flowers to the leaves and even the stems—has its use, making it a valuable addition to any garden.
Harvesting lavender the right way improves the quality of its essential oils and fragrance, encourages healthy regrowth, and extends the shelf life of dried lavender, helping it retain its potency and color.
Are you growing lavender in your garden and wondering when and how to harvest and store it properly? This article has all the information you need!
When Should I Harvest Lavender?
Lavender leaves, flowers, and buds can be harvested throughout their growing season, from early spring to late fall. In frost-free climates, some lavender varieties may bloom year-round, allowing you to continually harvest small bunches throughout the year.
The best time to harvest lavender flowers and buds is from late spring to early fall. As the weather warms in spring, lavender plants start to send up stems and tightly closed spikes.
For leaves, early spring through late fall, around the time of the first frost, is ideal. Harvesting new leafy growth on mature plants in early spring can accelerate flower production, while a hard pruning of up to two-thirds of the leafy, woody growth in late fall encourages root development and guards against rot.
Always harvest lavender on a sunny morning after the dew has dried (before 10 a.m.). Avoid harvesting when it’s damp, as this increases the chance of fungi rotting the picked stems.
To determine if your lavender buds are ready for harvest, consider what you’re using them for:
- For dried buds to use in sachets, potpourri, or cooking: Harvest when 25%-50% of the buds on the spike are blooming. Closed buds will retain more color and fragrance over time.
- For herbal teas, steams, baths, or essential oil distillation: Wait until 50%-100% of the buds are blooming. This is when lavender has the highest oil content.
If you wait too long to harvest your lavender, the flowers will start to lose their fragrance and color, and the stems will become too woody, making it difficult to extract the essential oils.
How to Harvest Lavender?
Now that you know what to do, grab your sharp pruning shears or scissors. Make sure they are clean and sharp to ensure clean cuts and avoid damaging the plant.
Cut just above the bottom two sets of leaves on each green stem (about 1-2 inches above the woody part of the plant). This way, you’ll get long stems and encourage the plant to produce new growth and more flowers.
Make your cuts at a 45-degree angle to help water run off the cut, preventing disease.
Bring rubber bands to make bundles of lavender as you harvest (around 50-100 stems per bundle). You can enjoy the bundles fresh or hang them upside-down in a cool, dark place to dry.
As you harvest, you can pull off some leaves to speed up the drying process and prevent mold. Don’t throw these leaves away because they contain a lot of aromatic medicine. While most plants are harvested for leaves before flowering, lavender leaves are still incredibly aromatic and useful. You can use them year-round in herbal teas, steams, baths, and more.
Leaves can be harvested throughout the growing season, but there are two popular times for big harvests:
- Late Fall: As the first frost approaches, use pruners to snip off woody, leafy stems and branching. You can safely take up to two-thirds of the plant at this time. Harvesting too early can stimulate more growth, which you don’t want since the lavender is moving into winter dormancy.
- Early Spring: Hard pruning in the spring can stimulate new growth and speed up flower production, but wait until you see new leaves growing at the base of the plant before removing anything other than dead or damaged branches. Pruning too early in the spring can delay and stunt growth.
Storing Lavender
Storing Fresh Lavender
To store fresh lavender, start by removing any leaves or debris from the stems. Next, wrap the stems in a damp paper towel and place them in a plastic bag. Seal the bag tightly and store it in the refrigerator. Fresh lavender can last up to two weeks this way.
Drying Lavender Methods
If you want to dry your lavender, there are several methods to choose from. One of my favorites is to hang the lavender upside down in a cool, dark, and dry place with good air circulation. This method helps retain the oils in the flowers while the stems dry out. Allow the lavender to dry for about 2-4 weeks. It’s ready when the stems snap easily and the flowers crumble to the touch.
Once your lavender is dry, store it in a glass jar with a tight seal, keeping it away from direct sunlight to preserve its fragrance and color. You can also store dried lavender in a fabric sachet or bag to keep the scent fresh. If you plan to use your lavender for cooking or baking, grind it into a powder and store it in an airtight container.
Remember, nothing is perfect the first time. Just enjoy the process! With a little practice and observation, you’ll become a skilled lavender harvester in no time.
