Lavender is one of those herbs that rewards you twice—first with beautiful, fragrant flowers in the garden, and then with all the wonderful things you can do with them after you harvest.
Whether you're growing lavender for bouquets, sachets, aromatherapy, tea, or culinary creations, knowing when and how to harvest makes all the difference.
When Is the Best Time to Harvest Lavender?
The ideal harvest time depends on how you plan to use it.
For Dried Lavender & Sachets
Harvest when the flower buds are just beginning to open, with most of the buds still closed.
This stage gives you:
• Strong fragrance
• Beautiful color
• Flowers that hold their shape well when dried
For Fresh Bouquets
Cut stems when approximately one-third to one-half of the flowers have opened. The stems will still be sturdy, and the flowers will continue to open beautifully in your arrangement.
For Culinary Use
Harvest culinary lavender when the flowers are freshly opened or just beginning to open. Choose varieties known for culinary use, such as English lavender (Lavandula angustifolia), which generally has a sweeter, less camphor-like flavor than many ornamental types.
How to Harvest Lavender
Step 1: Pick a Dry Morning
The best time to harvest is late morning, after the morning dew has dried but before the heat of the afternoon. Dry flowers are much easier to preserve and are less likely to develop mold during drying.
Step 2: Cut Long Stems
Using clean, sharp scissors or pruners, cut the flower stem just above the leafy portion of the plant.
Try to leave some green foliage behind rather than cutting deeply into old, woody growth.
Step 3: Make Small Bundles
Gather approximately 10–20 stems into a loose bundle.
Don't make the bundles too large—good air circulation is important for drying.
Step 4: Hang Upside Down
Tie the stems together and hang them flower-side down in a cool, dark, dry location with good airflow. A dark location helps preserve the flower color.
Step 5: Let Them Dry
Depending on humidity and airflow, lavender can take 1–3 weeks to dry completely. The flowers and stems should feel crisp and dry when they're ready.
How to Store Dried Lavender
Once completely dry, gently strip the flowers from the stems. Store dried lavender in:
• Glass jars
• Airtight containers
• Paper bags for short-term storage
Keep it somewhere cool, dark, and dry. For the best fragrance and flavor, use dried lavender within about a year.
Don't Waste Those Stems!
After removing the flowers, save the woody stems! Lavender stems can be added to:
• Outdoor fire pits
• Homemade fire starters
• Compost
• Sachets or fragrant bundles
They still contain plenty of that wonderful lavender aroma.
Culinary Lavender: A Little Goes a Long Way
If you're using lavender in the kitchen, remember that more isn't always better. Too much lavender can make food taste perfumy or bitter.
Try adding a small amount to:
• Lemonade
• Shortbread cookies
• Ice cream
• Honey
• Sugar
• Tea
• Fruit desserts
Vera and other English lavender types are particularly popular for culinary applications.
Lavender Lemon Verbena Ice Cream
Looking for a delicious way to use your herb harvest? Pair lavender with another favorite from the herb garden—lemon verbena!
Ingredients
• 2 cups heavy cream
• 1 cup whole milk
• ¾ cup sugar
• 1 tablespoon dried culinary lavender
• 1 generous handful fresh lemon verbena leaves
• 5 egg yolks
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Pinch of salt
Directions
1. Combine the cream, milk, half the sugar, lavender, and lemon verbena in a saucepan.
2. Heat gently until steaming, but don't boil.3. Remove from heat, cover, and let steep for 20–30 minutes.
4. In a separate bowl, whisk the egg yolks with the remaining sugar and salt.
5. Slowly whisk the warm cream mixture into the egg yolks.
6. Return everything to the saucepan and cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon.
7. Strain out the herbs and stir in the vanilla.
8. Chill completely—preferably overnight.
9. Churn in an ice cream maker according to the manufacturer's instructions.
10. Freeze until firm and enjoy!
Tip: Start with a modest amount of lavender. You can always increase it in your next batch, but too much can quickly overpower the delicate lemon verbena.
What to Do After Harvest
Don't be afraid to give your lavender a little grooming after you've harvested the flowers.
A light trim can:
• Keep plants compact
• Encourage branching
• Improve their shape
• Prepare them for another flush of growth
Just remember: Avoid cutting deeply into old, woody stems. Lavender doesn't always regrow from bare wood.
A Note for Zone 5 Gardeners
For Colorado gardeners, lavender can be a wonderful addition to the garden, but variety of selection and drainage are especially important. Some lavender varieties are much better suited to our cold winters than others.
Better Choices for Zone 5
Look for the hardier varieties when your goal is to grow lavender as a perennial:
• Vera — One of the best choices for cold climates; an English lavender valued for fragrance and culinary use.
• Phenomenal — An excellent cold-hardy choice with a strong reputation for performing well in challenging climates. It is especially valued for its ability to tolerate cold, heat, and humidity.
• Platinum Blonde — A beautiful specialty lavender with striking variegated foliage. It can be grown in colder climates with good protection and excellent drainage, though it may be less reliably hardy than Vera or Phenomenal.
Tips for Winter Success
No matter which variety you choose, give your lavender the best possible start:
• Plant in full sun
• Choose exceptionally well-drained soil
• Avoid areas where water collects or snow remains packed around the crown
• Gravelly or sandy soil is often preferable to heavy clay
• A raised bed or gently sloping planting area can make a big difference
• Avoid heavy mulch directly around the crown
• Plant in a protected location when possible
What About More Tender Varieties?
Our Anouk Double, French Fringed, Fernleaf, Goodwin Creek, and Sweet Lavender are generally better suited to warmer climates and may not reliably survive a Zone 5 winter outdoors.
For these varieties, container growing is a great option. Enjoy them outdoors during the growing season, then move containers to a protected, cool location before hard freezes
arrive.
Remember: Zone ratings are a helpful guideline, but winter survival can vary dramatically depending on drainage, snow cover, wind exposure, microclimate, and the severity of a
particular winter.
For Zone 5 gardeners, Vera and Phenomenal are excellent places to start if you're looking for a lavender that has the best chance of returning year after year.
Final Thoughts
Harvesting lavender is simple once you know what to look for. Watch the buds, choose a dry day, cut the stems correctly, and give your harvest plenty of airflow while it dries.
Then enjoy your lavender all year long—from fragrant sachets and beautiful bouquets to homemade lemonade, tea, and desserts.
And if you need a little help choosing the right lavender for your garden or your kitchen, come see us at The Flower Bin!
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