When To Pick Lavender For Drying

Knowing when to pick lavender for drying is the single most important factor for preserving its color, fragrance, and usefulness. Get the timing right, and you’ll have beautiful, aromatic buds that last for years; get it wrong, and you may end with with stems that shed their flowers or lack that iconic scent. This guide gives you the clear, practical steps to identify the optimal harvesting time for perfect dried lavender every single season.

Your goal is to harvest the flower buds just before they are fully open. This is when the essential oils, which give lavender its fragrance and properties, are at their peak concentration. Once the flowers open completely, these precious oils begin to dissipate into the air.

Visually, you’re looking for buds that are plump and show their distinctive color—whether deep purple, violet, pink, or white—but where most of the individual tiny florets on the bud are still closed. Only a few on the spike should be open. The window is small, often just a few days, so watching your plants closely is key.

This main heading is your core principle. Let’s break down exactly what this looks and feels like in the garden.

The Signs of Perfect Readiness

Check your lavender daily as it approaches bloom time. Use all your senses to decide.

Color: The buds are richly colored, not faded or greenish.
Bud Form: The florets are mostly closed, like tiny grains. If they look like they’re about to pop open, you’re in the zone.
Feel: Gently squeeze a bud. It should feel firm, not papery or dry.
Scent: Rub a bud between your fingers. The fragrance should be strong and oily on your skin.

The Best Time of Day to Harvest

Once you’ve identified the right stage, the time of day you cut matters alot. Always harvest in the morning, after the dew has dried but before the midday sun bakes your plants.

Why? The essential oils are most concentrated in the flower heads at this time. Harvesting in the heat of the day can cause the oils to evaporate more quickly, and cutting wet lavender can lead to mold during drying.

Seasonal Timing for Different Climates

Your local climate dictates your harvest calendar. In most temperate regions, the primary bloom—and thus the main harvest—occurs in mid to late summer, often around June or July.

Warmer Climates: Lavender may bloom earlier, sometimes in late spring. You might even get a smaller second flush in fall if you prune correctly after the first harvest.
Cooler Climates: Bloom time will be later, possibly into August. The key is to watch the plant, not the calendar.

Weather Conditions for Harvesting

Check the forecast. Aim for a stretch of dry, sunny weather. Avoid harvesting right after rain or when humidity is very high, as excess moisture will complicate the drying process. A good breeze is helpful to ensure the plants are completely dry from any overnight moisture.

What Happens If You Harvest Too Early?

If you pick lavender when the buds are too green and underdeveloped, they will not have developed their full scent or oil content. The stems may also be too tender and wilt instead of drying properly. The dried product will be lackluster.

What Happens If You Harvest Too Late?

If you wait until all the flowers are fully open, you’ve missed the peak. The blooms will be more fragile and likely to shatter when dried, losing their visual appeal. The scent will be weaker because the oils have already been used by the plant for pollination.

Step-by-Step Harvesting Technique

How you cut your lavender affects next year’s growth. Follow these steps.

Gather Tools: Use clean, sharp pruning shears or harvesting snips. Blunt tools can crush the stems.
Identify Cutting Point: Look down the flowering stem to where you see the first set of green, leafy growth. This is usually several inches below the flower bud.
Make the Cut: Cut the stem about two to three inches above this leafy growth. Do not cut into the old, woody part of the plant, as this can harm it.
Gather Stems: Collect the cut stems in a loose bundle. Avoid packing them tightly, which can bruise the flowers.

Preparing Lavender for Drying

Preparation right after harvest ensures a perfect dry. Don’t skip this part.

Shake each stem gently to dislodge any hidden insects or debris.
Remove any damaged or discolored buds or leaves from the part of the stem that will be bundled.
If you notice any particularly thick or dense bundles, consider splitting them into two smaller ones for better air circulation.

Best Methods for Drying Lavender

Now that you’ve picked at the perfect time, dry it properly to lock in that quality.

1. Air Drying (The Traditional Method)

This is the simplest and most effective method. Gather your prepared stems into small bundles, securing them with a rubber band (which tightens as stems shrink). Hang them upside down in a dark, warm, dry, and well-ventilated area. An attic, a spare room, or a shaded garage porch works well.

Darkness is crucial to preserve the vibrant color. The process usually takes 1 to 3 weeks. The bundles are ready when the stems snap easily and the flowers feel completely dry to the touch.

2. Drying on a Screen or Rack

If you have limited space or large quantities, lay the stems in a single layer on a mesh screen, drying rack, or even a breathable cloth on a table. Again, ensure the location is dark, dry, and has good air flow. Turn the stems every couple of days to ensure even drying.

Methods to Avoid

Do not use an oven or microwave on high heat. This will cook the oils away, ruining the scent and medicinal properties. Dehydrators can be used on the very lowest heat setting, but air drying is generally superior for preserving volatile oils.

Storing Your Dried Lavender

Once completely dry, you can store lavender whole in the bundles or remove the buds. To strip buds, hold a bundle over a large bowl and run your hand down the stem. The dry buds will fall off easily.

Store the buds or whole stems in airtight containers, like glass jars or sealed bags. Keep them in a cool, dark place to protect the color and fragrance from fading. Properly stored, your lavender will remain potent for several years.

Common Questions About Harvesting Lavender

Can you harvest lavender after it has bloomed?

You can, but it’s not ideal for drying. The flowers will be past their prime for oil content and may shatter. This late harvest is better for making potpourri where fragrance is less critical than for things like culinary use or crafting strong sachets.

How do you harvest lavender so it grows back?

By cutting just above the green leafy growth and avoiding the woody base, you encourage the plant to bush out and produce new growth. A light trim after the main bloom can often promote a second, smaller flowering in some varieties.

Can I harvest lavender in the fall?

Fall is generally not a primary harvest time for flower buds. However, you can give the plant a light pruning in early fall to tidy its shape, but this is not a harvest for drying. The plant is preparing for dormancy.

What is the optimal harvesting time for English vs. French lavender?

English lavender (Angustifolia) is typically hardier and is the preferred variety for drying due to its higher oil content. It usually blooms once, heavily, in mid-summer. French lavender (Stoechas) has a longer blooming period but lower oil content; harvest its flower buds when they first form for the best results, often in late spring.

Using Your Perfectly Dried Lavender

Your carefully timed harvest opens up many uses. The strong fragrance makes it perfect for homemade sachets to freshen drawers and closets. It can be used in calming herbal pillows. For culinary grade lavender (ensure it’s grown without pesticides), the buds can be used in baking, to make infused sugars or syrups, or to flavor teas.

Remember, the effort you put into choosing the exact right moment to cut your lavender pays off exponentially in the quality of your final dried product. With these tips, you’ll capture the essence of summer in every jar.