What To Do With Dried Lavender

If you have a bundle of dried lavender from your garden, you might be wondering what to do with dried lavender. This fragrant herb is far more versatile than you might think, moving beyond simple potpourri into many areas of your home and life.

Its calming scent and pretty purple flowers can be used in everything from homemade gifts to natural cleaning solutions. Let’s look at some of the best ways to put your harvest to good use.

From soothing your senses to organizing your home, dried lavender has countless applications. The key is to start with properly dried buds, stripped from their stems. Store them in an airtight jar away from light to preserve their color and fragrance for up to a year.

Create a Calming Home Atmosphere

Lavender is famous for its relaxing properties. Using it around your home can create a peaceful environment.

Simple Sachets: Fill small muslin or cotton bags with dried buds. Tuck them into dresser drawers, linen closets, or under your pillow for a gentle, natural fragrance that repels moths.
Sleep Pillows: Make a small pillow filled with lavender and other calming herbs like chamomile. Place it near your head at night to encourage restful sleep.
Decorative Jars: Fill clear glass jars or vases with layered dried lavender and other botanicals, like rose petals or eucalyptus. They make beautiful, fragrant table centerpieces.
Car Air Freshener: Place a lavender sachet under your car seat for a natural and calming air freshener during your commute.

Make Natural Body and Beauty Products

You can incorporate lavender into your self-care routine easily. It’s gentle and smells wonderful.

Bath Salts: Mix 1 cup of Epsom salts with 2 tablespoons of dried lavender buds and a few drops of lavender essential oil. Add a scoop to your bath for a muscle-soaking, aromatic experience.
Body Scrub: Combine ½ cup of granulated sugar, ¼ cup of coconut or olive oil, and 1 tablespoon of finely ground lavender. Gently massage onto damp skin in the shower, then rinse.
Herbal Hair Rinse: Steep a tablespoon of lavender in 2 cups of hot water for 30 minutes. Strain, let it cool, and use as a final rinse after shampooing to add shine and a light scent.

Always do a patch test first to ensure you don’t have a sensitivity to lavender on your skin.

Craft Unique Homemade Gifts

Handmade lavender gifts are personal and apreciated. They show you’ve put thought and care into your present.

Lavender Eye Pillows: Cut two pieces of soft fabric (like flannel or silk) into a long rectangle. Sew them together, leaving a small opening. Fill with flaxseed and dried lavender, then stitch closed. It’s perfect for relieving headaches or napping.
Infused Honey: Gently warm raw honey in a jar placed in a bowl of hot water. Stir in a spoonful of dried lavender buds. Let it infuse for a week, then strain if desired. This makes a lovely gift for tea lovers.
Decorated Candles: Melt the top of a plain pillar candle briefly with a heat gun. Quickly roll the soft wax in dried lavender buds to create a beautiful, textured, and fragrant exterior.

Use It in the Kitchen

Culinary lavender adds a floral, slightly sweet note to both sweet and savory dishes. Always use food-grade lavender meant for eating.

Herbal Sugar: Place a cup of granulated sugar and a tablespoon of dried lavender in a food processor. Pulse until combined. Let it sit for a week in a jar, then sift out the buds. Use it in tea, lemonade, or baking.
Simple Syrup: Combine 1 cup each of water and sugar in a saucepan. Add 2 tablespoons of lavender. Heat until the sugar dissolves, then simmer for 10 minutes. Strain and cool. Drizzle over pancakes, mix into cocktails, or flavor iced tea.
Herb Blends: Crush lavender with other dried herbs like rosemary, thyme, and oregano. It pairs wonderfully with roasted meats, especially lamb, and root vegetables.

A little goes a long way—start with a small amount, as the flavor can become overpowering.

Quick Lavender Shortbread Recipe

This is a classic and easy way to enjoy culinary lavender.

Cream together 1 cup of softened butter and ½ cup of lavender sugar.
Gradually mix in 2 cups of all-purpose flour until a dough forms.
Roll into a log, wrap in parchment, and chill for 1 hour.
Slice into rounds, place on a baking sheet, and bake at 325°F for 18-20 minutes until lightly golden.

Practical Household Solutions

Lavender isn’t just pretty; it’s practical. Its scent is pleasing to humans but disliked by many pests.

All-Purpose Cleaner: Steep a handful of lavender in 2 cups of white vinegar for two weeks. Strain and mix with an equal part of water in a spray bottle. Use it to clean countertops and surfaces.
Moth Repellent: Sachets in your closet are the classic method. You can also scatter loose buds in the bottom of wool storage bins.
Fireplace Kindling: Add a small handful of dried lavender to your kindling when starting a fire. It will release a pleasant aroma as it burns, creating a cozy atmosphere.

Creative Crafting Ideas

Get crafty with lavender for unique home decor and keepsakes.

Pressed Flower Art: Press lavender sprigs flat in a heavy book for a few weeks. Then, use them to create framed botanical art, decorate greeting cards, or embellish bookmarks sealed with clear contact paper.
Potpourri Blends: Mix lavender with other dried elements like citrus peel, cinnamon sticks, and star anise. Add a few drops of essential oil, seal in a jar for a week to “meld,” then display in a bowl.
Natural Confetti: Use just the tiny buds as a biodegradable, fragrant confetti for weddings, baby showers, or other celebrations. It’s much nicer for the environment than plastic or paper.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does dried lavender last?

Properly stored in a sealed container away from heat and sunlight, dried lavender can retain its fragrance and color for up to one year. After that, it may fade but is often still usable for crafts.

Can I use any lavender for cooking?

No. You should only use lavender that is specifically labeled as culinary grade. Ornamental lavender from garden centers may have been treated with pesticides not safe for consumption.

What’s the best way to dry lavender?

Harvest stems just as the buds begin to open. Bundle a few stems together with a rubber band and hang them upside down in a dark, dry, well-ventilated area for 1-2 weeks.

Does lavender really help you sleep?

Many people find the scent of lavender calming and conducive to relaxation, which can help with sleep. Scientific studies have shown promising results for its soothing effects, making it a popular natural sleep aid.

How can I make my lavender scent stronger in a sachet?

Gently crushing the buds before filling your sachet will release more oils. You can also add a drop or two of lavender essential oil to the dried buds inside the bag to refresh the scent over time.

As you can see, the possibilities for using your dried lavender are nearly endless. Whether you’re looking to relax, create, clean, or cook, this humble herb from the garden has you covered. Start with one simple project, like a drawer sachet or a batch of lavender sugar, and you’ll soon find more ways to enjoy its gentle charm all year round.