In recent years, dried lavender has been in great demand because it has so many wonderful uses. It is found in stores where everyone can buy it. However, it is best to prepare dried lavender yourself to make sure it is natural.
Contents
Basic information about lavender plants
Before proceeding to the study of the question, of how to dry lavender in the oven, you should familiarize yourself with the characteristics of the culture. Lavender plants prefer to grow near the seacoast of warm countries. However, due to its popularity, the culture is found in almost all countries.
Lavender flowers are very beautiful and have a bright purple hue.
The shape of the flowers is conical and immediately attracts attention.
Fresh lavender has a rich aroma that is definitely not to be confused with anything else. The use of lavender buds can be different.
Lavender buds can be added to culinary dishes, making food more flavorful. You can use lavender flowers to make essential oils. This is a great solution for aromatherapy. Lavender essential oil helps to relax and improves the quality of sleep.
Some use dried lavender buds to decorate their home especially looks elegant in the entrance area of small apartments. At the same time, the house is filled with a pleasant aroma.
Drying parts of lavender
If you choose to dry your lavender, any part of the plant can be used for the drying process. However, most people prefer the buds of the plant, because they contain the maximum amount of essential oils.
Even after the drying process, the buds exude a pleasant aroma.
It is allowed to dry leaves. It is believed that lavender leaves are the best option for making culinary delights, including lavender tea. If you have trouble sleeping, lavender tea helps you calm down and fall asleep faster.
Optimal plant varieties
If you choose to dry your lavender, choose English varieties. They contain more essential oils. If you only find a French or Spanish variety, you can dry them, too.
If you want to get a quality and completely dry plant, it is recommended to choose the optimal time for cutting. Some believe that this can be done at any time. However, to obtain high-quality dry flowers, they need to be cut at the right time.
It is best to start cutting the buds when they begin to bloom. Once the buds open, the scent is less intense.
Drying time for lavender
Quite often, people try to figure out how long it takes to dry plants. It is impossible to say exactly how long it takes. After all, it all depends on which option for drying lavender you choose. It is important to focus on what part of the plant you dry.
The more compact the buds and flowers are, the faster the drying is. Lavender stems take longer to dry.
Most often, people try to do it using a special drying rack, or by hanging lavender stalks.
You can speed up the rate of lavender drying if you use a tool to remove liquid, an oven, or a microwave. While drying lavender with such methods, you can fill the room with a pleasant aroma.
Lavender drying options: in parts
Regardless of which parts of the bush are used to dry plants, the process is almost identical. To begin with, you need to properly cut the prepared items.
How to dry leaves?
Lavender leaves have an equally intense aroma when compared to the buds. It is best to dry the tips of the stems.
Preparation for drying lavender consists of cutting off the lavender stem.
If you want to keep a bud that grows on a stem with the right leaves, you should wait until the end of flowering. You can also remove the leaves, leaving the stem and bud to grow further.
Flower drying recommendations
If you’re planning on drying your flowers, you’ll need to cut them properly. The cut should be at the level of 1 cm from the bud or the very base of the stem.
You should determine the option based on how you store dry lavender. For ease of use, it is recommended to use special secateurs.
Drying lavender: common methods
To obtain a dry plant, you can use different methods. Depending on the choice, the process is exciting, and everyone definitely likes it. More details about all options for obtaining dried lavender will be discussed below.
Air drying
Air drying is the easiest. Air drying is simple and fast. If you choose to air-dry, there must be good air circulation. To do this, you need to find the best place. You need to first prepare the stems or flowers and lay them out in one layer on the paper towels.
It is extremely important that the surface is well-lit and heated by a natural method under the sun’s rays.
The stems can’t contact each other. Plants should be spaced 0.5 inches apart. Leave the lavender outdoors to dry.
Dried lavender blossoms should become brittle as the cells lose moisture. Make sure that the dried plant does not come into contact with moisture. Otherwise, the drying process fails. Dry lavender likely becomes moldy.
Hanging plant parts
You can get a dry plant if you use the hanging bouquet method. You need to construct bouquets using the fresh stems of the plant.
It is recommended to tie it with a dense thread or elastic rubber band so that the hanging lavender does not fall apart.
You need to place the formed bouquets on hooks that are hung from the ceiling or canopy. Choose warm and dark rooms where there is practically no moisture in the air. Even a small amount of moisture can cause mold to form.
Application of food drying agent
Today, almost every housewife has a food drying rack that can be used to prepare dried lavender. The drying rack is a bit like a microwave oven, however, it only helps to remove excess moisture. To get a dry plant, you have to cut the stems with open buds.
Do not use buds that have diseased petals. Otherwise, dry lavender loses its quality. Insects should also be avoided. Before drying lavender, you should skip washing the plant. The distance between the stems should be about 0.39 inches.
The device must be started in Grass mode. On average, after 1.5-2 hours, you get dried lavender. As soon as the device turns off, you need to check the dried lavender for quality.
The dry plant should be brittle. If done correctly, the plant resembles paper.
Oven-drying lavender
Many people like to oven dry lavender. To work, you should arm yourself with a working device, a baking sheet, and parchment.
It is extremely important for drying in the oven lavender not to have insects or diseases. Arrange the plants in a single layer on top of the parchment that lined the baking sheet.
Try to place the plants at a certain distance so that the lavender in the oven completely loses its moisture.
The oven must be heated to 250 degrees Fahrenheit. Set up the tray and close the door. However, it should not be completely closed so that hot air can escape.
On average, lavender is completely dry in 10-15 minutes. If, after this time, the parts of the lavender are still a little damp, they should be dried further. You can also use a food dehydrator.
Drying in the microwave
Dried flower buds or stems can be obtained if you use the microwave.
You need to separate the flowers and leaf blades from the stem. Lay them out on parchment paper and place them in the microwave.
Set the device to maximum power, and set the timer for 15 minutes. Don’t forget to check everything at the end.
How to store dried lavender?
It is extremely important to know how to properly store dried lavender. After all, everyone dreams of preserving the aroma and taste of dried stalks and flower buds. You need to store lavender based on certain rules, including:
- Using an airtight container. Most often, people use an airtight container, complete with tight lids. This prevents the penetration of moist air into the container. Therefore, dry lavender lasts longer.
- Store in a dark place. The dry plant should be stored in a dark place. Especially if you prefer hanging lavender. In a dark place, the flowers retain their rich shade.
- Low humidity. The dry plant mustn’t come into contact with moisture. So whether you’re storing hanging lavender or parts, avoid contact with water. Store lavender away from moisture to prevent dry lavender from rotting.
Key benefits of dry lavender
The dry plant can be used in various areas of human life. If you dry parts of the bush, you can get an effective insect repellent.
This is the best option for the summer period when a lot of insects enter the house.
For added protection, combine dry lavender with citrus fruits and thyme. You can place mixtures on furniture and carpets to get rid of bugs. You can also appreciate lavender tea. To do this, you need to grind dry plants using a pestle and mortar.
Add the prepared powder to tea bags or loose tea. This makes for a relaxing and soothing drink.
The dry plant is an effective remedy to combat insomnia.
This is exactly what lavender oil does.
You can put dry lavender in special cloth bags and place them next to your bed. It is appropriate to add dried flowers to the bath that you take before going to bed. This helps you fall asleep faster. It is believed that the dry plant helps fight skin problems.
To do this, it makes sense to prepare an infusion or decoction of lavender, with which you wipe your skin every day.
This helps get rid of acne. If you add dry lavender to your food, you can strengthen your immune system. Dry lavender contains many antioxidants and components that fight bacteria.
Dry lavender helps fight pain and inflammation. Oils contained in the plant help relieve muscle inflammation. This is the optimal solution for those who suffer from osteoarthritis.
Uses for dry lavender
If you have dried lavender, you can use it in a variety of ways. It is appropriate to place small bags of dried lavender around the house.
It is a natural air freshener that will fill the room with a pleasant aroma. You can make a natural remedy that gives things a pleasant scent.
To do this, paper bags are filled with the dry plant. You need to make small holes in them, and place the bags between the clothes.
They will keep things fresh. You can pour some drying flowers in the oil, which has no smell.
Leave the product to infuse for 8-10 hours, after which you get the oil that allows you to fight insects. The dry plant can be added to drinks to calm the nervous system.
Many people like to combine lavender with thyme. This helps form a crust on the baked meat.
Some people like to make lavender-scented candles. To do this, the candle is melted to the state of liquid wax, after which it is mixed with buds. In the end, you need to cool the wax.
FAQ
When it comes to drying lavender, different questions can arise. Many beginners think that this process is quite complicated. But in fact, this is not the case at all. If you have read the article and have any questions, I will be glad if you leave them in the comments.
And now I’ll answer the most frequent and exciting gardeners’ questions. Perhaps there will be one of those questions that concern you too. So keep reading.
What is the best way to dry lavender?
The easiest way is to form hanging bunches of lavender and hang them up to dry. To do this, choose a dark, warm place.
Dry lavender can’t come into contact with the sun’s rays. This helps preserve the shade of the dried buds. On average, bouquets dry for about a week.
What temperature do you dehydrate lavender?
To remove all the moisture from the lavender, you need to set the temperature to about 250 degrees Fahrenheit.
The dehydrator should run for several hours. Periodically, you need to turn the parts of the lavender so that they dry evenly. You need to finish drying only after there is no moisture left in the plant.
How do you dry lavender quickly in the microwave?
The microwave helps dry the lavender quickly. To do this, lay out the parts of the plant on a paper plate. Run the device for a few minutes, then check the condition of the plant.
If moisture remains, dry for about 10 seconds. Repeat the steps until all moisture has been removed.
How do you make the dried lavender smell stronger?
To make dried lavender smell longer, you can put a little lavender essential oil on the dried parts. This refreshes the fragrance.
You can press the drying lavender flowers down a bit to release more fragrance.
Results
As you can see, drying lavender is quite simple. The main thing is to choose the best method and follow the instructions. This allows you to get an effective remedy that can be used in cooking, traditional medicine, and aromatherapy.
Learn More: How To Dry Lavender
