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Making essential oils from lavender is a rewarding process that lets you capture the plant’s calming scent right at home.
If you’ve ever wondered how to make essential oils from lavender, the good news is that you can do it with just a few simple tools and a little patience.
Lavender oil is one of the most popular essential oils, known for its soothing aroma and versatility in skincare, cleaning, and relaxation.
While true essential oil requires steam distillation, there are several beginner-friendly methods to make lavender essential oil that work beautifully.
In this post, we’ll walk through how to make essential oils from lavender step by step, plus some tips for getting the best results.
Let’s dive in.
How to Make Essential Oils from Lavender: The Basics
When learning how to make essential oils from lavender, it helps to understand the two main routes: true steam distillation and simpler infusion methods.
Steam distillation is the traditional way to produce pure essential oil, but it requires specific equipment.
The infusion method, on the other hand, is much easier and gives you a lovely lavender-infused oil that carries many of the same benefits.
No matter which route you choose, the quality of your lavender matters most.
1. Choose the Right Lavender
Start with fresh or dried lavender buds from a reputable source.
English lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) is the gold standard for making essential oils because of its sweet, floral scent.
If you grow your own, harvest the buds in the morning after the dew dries but before the sun gets too hot.
This is when the oil content is at its peak.
2. Gather Your Tools
For the infusion method, you’ll need dried lavender buds, a carrier oil like jojoba or sweet almond, a clean glass jar, a fine strainer, and a dark glass bottle for storage.
For steam distillation, you’ll need a still, which you can buy or build.
Don’t worry if you don’t have a still yet, the infusion method is a great starting point.
3. Dry the Lavender Properly
If you’re using fresh lavender, let it dry for a few days in a cool, dark place.
Dry buds prevent mold and help the oil extract more cleanly.
Once dried, strip the buds from the stems and set them aside.
Making Lavender Essential Oil by Infusion
This is the easiest way to make essential oils from lavender at home.
It’s not a true essential oil in the strictest sense, but it’s a potent lavender oil that works wonderfully for massage, baths, and DIY beauty products.
1. Fill Your Jar
Loosely fill a clean glass jar with dried lavender buds, about three-quarters full.
Pour your carrier oil over the buds until they’re completely covered.
Leave a little space at the top so the oil can expand.
2. Let It Steep
Seal the jar and place it in a warm, sunny spot for two to four weeks.
Shake the jar gently every day to help the oil absorb the lavender’s properties.
The longer it steeps, the stronger the scent will be.
3. Strain and Store
After steeping, strain the oil through a fine mesh or cheesecloth into a dark glass bottle.
Squeeze the buds to get every last drop.
Label your bottle and store it in a cool, dark place.
Your homemade lavender oil will keep for about six months to a year.
Making Lavender Essential Oil by Steam Distillation
If you want true essential oil, steam distillation is the way to go.
It’s a bit more involved, but the result is pure, concentrated lavender oil.
1. Set Up Your Still
Fill the bottom of your still with water and place the dried lavender buds in the steam basket.
As the water heats, steam passes through the buds, pulling out the essential oil.
2. Collect the Distillate
The steam and oil vapor travel through a condenser, where they cool back into liquid.
You’ll collect a mixture of water and oil, called a distillate.
The oil will float on top or sink, depending on its density.
3. Separate the Oil
Use a separator funnel or a pipette to carefully separate the essential oil from the water.
Store your pure lavender essential oil in a dark glass bottle away from heat and light.
This oil is highly concentrated, so a little goes a long way.
Tips for Success When Making Lavender Essential Oil
Always use dried lavender for infusion, as fresh buds can introduce moisture and cause spoilage.
If you’re distilling, don’t rush the heating process, a slow, steady steam gives the best yield.
Keep your finished oil in amber or cobalt glass bottles to protect it from light.
And remember, making essential oils from lavender takes practice, so don’t get discouraged if your first batch isn’t perfect.
So, How Do You Make Essential Oils from Lavender?
To make essential oils from lavender, you can either infuse dried buds in a carrier oil or use steam distillation for pure essential oil.
The infusion method is simple, affordable, and great for beginners.
Steam distillation gives you a concentrated, authentic essential oil that’s worth the extra effort.
Either way, you’ll end up with a beautiful lavender oil you can use for relaxation, skincare, and more.
Hope this guide has helped you understand how to make essential oils from lavender so you can enjoy your own homemade batch.