Can You Harvest Lavender After It Has Bloomed

Yes, you can harvest lavender after it has bloomed, and doing so at the right time is actually the key to getting the best fragrance, color, and oil content from your stems.

Many gardeners worry that waiting until the flowers open means the lavender is past its prime, but that’s a common misunderstanding.

You can harvest lavender after it has bloomed, yet the exact stage of bloom matters a lot for how your dried bundles will turn out.

In this post, we’ll explore why you can harvest lavender after it has bloomed, when exactly to cut those stems, and how to dry them perfectly for crafts, sachets, or cooking.

Let’s dig into the details of harvesting lavender after it has bloomed.

 

Why You Can Harvest Lavender After It Has Bloomed

You can harvest lavender after it has bloomed because the flowers don’t suddenly lose their value once they open.

The essential oils that give lavender its calming scent continue to develop and peak right around the time the first few buds on each spike begin to show color.

If you harvest lavender after it has bloomed too early, you’ll get less oil and a weaker aroma.

If you wait until the blooms are fully open and starting to fade, the petals may drop during drying, and the stems can lose their vibrant purple hue.

So the real question isn’t whether you can harvest lavender after it has bloomed, but rather how far along the bloom should be for your specific goal.

Here’s what happens when you wait for different bloom stages.

 

1. Harvesting Lavender at the First Sign of Bloom

The best time to harvest lavender after it has bloomed just a little is when about one-quarter to one-half of the buds on a spike have opened.

At this stage, the lower flowers are open while the upper buds are still tight and colorful.

You can harvest lavender after it has bloomed this much because the oil production is at its highest, giving you the strongest scent for potpourri and essential oil use.

The stems also hold their color beautifully, which makes them perfect for dried flower arrangements.

 

2. Harvesting Lavender When Fully Bloomed

You can also harvest lavender after it has bloomed completely, meaning nearly every bud on the spike is open and showing its purple petals.

This is a fantastic time to cut if you’re planning to use fresh lavender in recipes, lemonades, or baked goods right away.

However, fully bloomed lavender tends to shed petals more easily during the drying process, so handle those bundles gently.

If you don’t mind a slightly less intense fragrance, harvesting lavender after it has fully bloomed still works wonderfully for crafts like wreaths and bundles.

 

3. Harvesting Lavender After Blooms Start to Fade

Technically, you can harvest lavender after it has bloomed and begun to fade, but this is the least ideal time for most uses.

Once blooms turn brown or gray, the oils have largely evaporated, leaving the stems with a much weaker scent and dull color.

You might still harvest lavender after it has bloomed and faded if you want the dried stalks for their structural shape in rustic décor, but don’t expect that classic lavender aroma.

For the best results, aim for that sweet spot when blooms are just opening rather than waiting until the petals drop.

 

How to Tell When Lavender Is Ready to Harvest

Even though you can harvest lavender after it has bloomed at several stages, learning to read the plant’s signals will help you pick the perfect day.

The time of day also plays a big role in how well your harvest turns out.

Here are the signs to watch for that tell you the lavender is ready to cut.

 

1. Look at the Color on the Buds

When the buds at the top of the spike start turning from green to the deep purple or blue shade of the mature variety, you’re in the harvest window.

You can harvest lavender after it has bloomed enough to show that rich color change, since this signals that the oil glands are full and the plant is at its aromatic peak.

Don’t wait until every single flower is open, as that’s when the color starts to dull.

 

2. Sniff the Stems for the Sweet Spot

Another reliable method is to gently rub a few buds between your fingers and take a deep whiff.

If the scent is strong and sweet, you can harvest lavender after it has bloomed to that point and expect a great dried product.

If the aroma is weak or plasticky, give it another day or two, because the oils haven’t fully developed yet.

This scent test works whether you’re wondering if you can harvest lavender after it has bloomed early or late in the season.

 

3. Cut in the Morning After Dew Evaporates

The best time of day to harvest lavender is late morning, right after the morning dew has dried off the plants but before the heat of the afternoon.

This timing preserves the oils because the plant is fully hydrated but not waterlogged on the surface.

You can harvest lavender after it has bloomed in the morning and the stems will hold their shape better during the drying process.

Avoid harvesting in the rain or right after watering, as moisture encourages mold on your bundles.

 

Best Methods for Drying Lavender After Harvest

Once you’ve decided you can harvest lavender after it has bloomed and you’ve made your cuts, the next step is drying it correctly.

Proper drying prevents mold and keeps the color vibrant for months.

Here are the most reliable ways to dry your freshly harvested lavender.

 

1. Hang Bundles Upside Down in a Dark, Dry Place

Gather about 30 to 50 stems together and secure them with a rubber band or twine.

Hang the bundles upside down in a dark, well-ventilated room with low humidity, like a closet or shed.

Darkness is crucial because light can fade the purple petals quickly.

You can harvest lavender after it has bloomed and hang it this way for two to four weeks until the stems snap instead of bend.

 

2. Dry Individual Stems Flat on Screens

If you prefer to keep the lavender stems straight for crafting, you can lay them flat on a mesh screen or drying rack.

Space the stems so they aren’t touching each other, which allows air to flow freely around each one.

This method takes about the same time as hanging, but you’ll have the flexibility to use each stem individually later.

You can harvest lavender after it has bloomed and dry it this way without worrying about curved stems from hanging.

 

3. Store Dried Lavender in Airtight Jars

Once your lavender is completely dry, strip the buds from the stems or leave them intact depending on your plans.

Store the dried buds in an airtight glass jar placed in a cool, dark cupboard.

This keeps the scent locked in for up to a year or more.

Remember, you can harvest lavender after it has bloomed, dry it, and store it to enjoy the fragrance long after the growing season ends.

 

Common Mistakes When Harvesting Lavender After Bloom

Even though you can harvest lavender after it has bloomed, a few common errors can ruin a perfect batch.

Avoiding these pitfalls will make all the difference in the quality of your dried lavender.

Here’s what to watch out for.

 

1. Waiting Too Long Into the Bloom

Many people assume you can harvest lavender after it has bloomed for weeks and the flowers will stay intact, but that’s not true.

Once the blooms pass their peak, petals begin dropping and the oil content plummets.

Set a reminder to check your plants every few days once the first buds open, and aim to harvest within that first week of blooming.

 

2. Cutting Wet or Damp Stems

Harvesting after rain or in heavy morning dew can cause gray mold to form on your bundles during drying.

Always wait until the plant is visibly dry to the touch before you make any cuts.

You can harvest lavender after it has bloomed on a sunny day without issue, so plan your cutting around the forecast.

 

3. Bundling Too Many Stems Together

Thick bundles take forever to dry and often end up moldy in the center.

Keep your bundles loose, with no more than 50 stems, so air can reach every part of the bunch.

This small step ensures you can harvest lavender after it has bloomed and still have it dry perfectly rather than turning to rot.

 

So, Can You Harvest Lavender After It Has Bloomed?

Yes, you can harvest lavender after it has bloomed, and in fact, you should wait until at least some of the buds have opened to catch the peak oil production.

The sweet spot is when the bottom third to half of each flower spike is in full bloom while the upper buds remain closed.

You can harvest lavender after it has bloomed fully as well, just be prepared for more petal loss and a slightly softer scent during drying.

Avoid harvesting flowers that have started turning brown, as they’ve already lost their aromatic punch.

So grab your shears, check the bloom stage, and cut on a sunny morning for the very best results.

Enjoy your fragrant harvest!