How To Make Dried Lavender Bunches

You can make dried lavender bunches by cutting fresh stems, bundling them, and hanging them upside down in a cool, dark spot.
 
It’s one of the easiest and most rewarding ways to preserve the beauty and fragrance of your lavender plants for months.
 
Whether you grow lavender in your garden or pick up a fresh bundle at the farmers market, making dried lavender bunches is a simple project anyone can do.
 
In this post, we’ll walk through how to make dried lavender bunches step by step, plus tips for harvesting, bundling, and storing them so they stay fragrant for as long as possible.
 
Let’s dive in.
 

How to Make Dried Lavender Bunches Step by Step

Making dried lavender bunches comes down to three simple stages: harvest, bundle, and hang.
 
Here’s how each one works.
 

1. Harvest the Lavender at the Right Time

The best time to cut lavender for drying is in the morning, right after the dew has dried but before the sun gets too hot.
 
Look for stems where the buds are plump and colorful but haven’t fully opened yet.
 
If you wait too long, the flowers lose their oils and the dried lavender bunches won’t smell as strong.
 
Use sharp, clean scissors or pruners and cut long stems, leaving a few inches above the woody part of the plant.
 
Gather a handful of stems together as you cut so you can bundle them right away.
 

2. Bundle the Stems Together

Once you’ve cut your stems, strip the leaves from the bottom two to three inches of each stem.
 
Leaves hold moisture and can slow down drying, which may lead to mold.
 
Now group 15 to 30 stems into a bundle, depending on how thick you want your dried lavender bunches to be.
 
Tie the bundle tightly near the base with a rubber band or twine.
 
Rubber bands work great because they shrink as the stems dry and keep the bundle secure.
 
If you’re using twine, tie it snugly but not so tight that you crush the stems.
 

3. Hang Them Upside Down to Dry

Hanging is the classic way to make dried lavender bunches, and it works beautifully.
 
Find a cool, dark, dry spot with good air circulation, like a closet, attic, or pantry.
 
Direct sunlight will fade the color of your dried lavender bunches, so avoid windows.
 
Hang each bundle upside down from a hook, nail, or drying rack.
 
Leave a little space between bundles so air can move freely around them.
 
Depending on humidity, your lavender should be fully dry in one to three weeks.
 

Other Ways to Make Dried Lavender Bunches

Hanging is the most popular method, but it’s not the only way to make dried lavender bunches.
 
Here are a couple of alternatives worth trying.
 

1. Air Drying on a Screen

If you don’t have space to hang bundles, lay the stems flat on a mesh screen instead.
 
Spread them out so they aren’t touching, and turn them every few days.
 
This method takes a bit longer but still gives you nice dried lavender bunches.
 

2. Using a Dehydrator

For faster results, a food dehydrator set to the lowest temperature works well.
 
Lay the stems in a single layer and dry them for one to three hours.
 
Just keep an eye on them, because overheated lavender loses its scent quickly.
 
Once dry, gather the stems and tie them into dried lavender bunches as usual.
 

Tips for Better Dried Lavender Bunches

A few small details make a big difference in how your dried lavender bunches turn out.
 
Keep these tips in mind.
 

1. Dry Them Before They Wilt

The sooner you hang your lavender after cutting, the better.
 
Stems that sit around too long lose moisture unevenly and may not dry properly.
 

2. Don’t Skip the Dark Spot

Light is the enemy of color, so a dark drying space keeps your dried lavender bunches looking purple instead of gray.
 

3. Check for Dryness Before Storing

A fully dried stem snaps when you bend it.
 
If it still feels flexible, give it more time.
 
Storing damp lavender leads to mold, which ruins all your hard work.
 

4. Store Them Properly

Once your dried lavender bunches are ready, keep them out of direct sun and away from moisture.
 
You can leave them hanging as decor or store them in paper bags in a dark cupboard.
 

So, How Do You Make Dried Lavender Bunches?

You make dried lavender bunches by harvesting stems at the right time, tying them into bundles, and hanging them upside down in a cool, dark, dry place.
 
It’s a simple process that preserves the color and fragrance of your lavender for months.
 
Whether you hang them, screen dry them, or use a dehydrator, the goal is the same: slow, gentle drying with plenty of airflow.
 
With a little patience, your dried lavender bunches will be ready to display, gift, or use in sachets and crafts.