Lavender is an incredibly versatile herb and can be used in applications ranging from aromatic to medicinal, decorative to culinary. Its fragrant, purple blooms are popular with pollinators, making it a wonderful addition to any garden space. Not to mention, it’s a perennial, which means it will return every year with little maintenance.
Benefits of Dried Lavender
Dried lavender is about three times more potent than fresh, so drying it is a wonderful way to preserve the purple flowers and to take advantage of the many benefits of dried lavender. The scent of lavender is well known for its positive effects on mood and sleep and has even been thought to reduce headache pain and symptoms of colic.
Highly fragrant and long-lasting, dried lavender can be used in several ways:
Keep fabric smelling fresh
Place dried lavender in a fabric pouch or other porous fabric and tuck in your dresser drawers.
Decorate the home
Dried lavender stems look great in a vase as decoration, or use them to make a dried lavender wreath.
Create a bowl of potpourri
Combine dried lavender with other fragrant herbs or dried flowers, such as rose petals or sage leaves for a cute and aromatic display.
Add fragrance to homemade body products
Soapmakers and DIYers can use dried lavender for tons of projects, like adding texture to bars of soap or infusing dried lavender into witch hazel for a refreshing facial toner.
What is Culinary Lavender?
Lavender is a popular flavor to experiment with in cooking, from cocktails to lattes to cookies, and more. While it can lend a beautiful, aromatic, soft flavor to all sorts of treats, not all lavender is ideal for cooking and baking.
Although technically all lavender is edible, English lavender (Lavandula angustifolia), often referred to as “true” lavender, is preferred for culinary purposes due to its lower oil levels. Less oil provides a more subtle, earthy flavor rather than an overpowering and potentially “soapy” taste.
How Long Does Dried Lavender Last?
Properly dried and stored lavender has the potential to maintain its fragrance for up to 10 years! Avoiding light, heat, and humidity is key to preserving; store it in airtight plastic bags or containers for the longest shelf life.
Culinary lavender should be treated similarly to other cooking herbs; keep it in a sealed container out of direct sunlight. With proper storage conditions, it will provide its floral flavor for 1 to 3 years. The flowers should remain their vibrant blue-purple if kept out of direct sunlight.
Where to Buy Dried Lavender
Find local lavender using our Find Food and Farms database, or check out the local farmers market this summer! Make sure to verify if it’s aromatic or culinary lavender depending on the intended use.
Growing Lavender in Michigan
Lavender originates in the rocky, alkaline soils of the Mediterranean and loves the hot, arid heat. Although Michigan’s environment is quite different from that, some varieties of lavender are more suitable for its climate and sandy soils. English lavenders and lavandins (hybrids with origins in Provence, France) tend to grow best in the Midwest. Avoid Spanish lavender (Lavandula stoechas pedunculata), as it is more sensitive to cold temperatures and may not survive Michigan’s cold winters.
Starting lavender from seed can be tricky, so find a reputable nursery nearby and purchase potted plants. They can be planted anywhere from May through September. Lavender loves well-draining soil and prefers a minimum of 6 hours of sunlight each day. Lavender’s drought tolerance makes them simple to maintain but easy to overwater, so monitor the rain and adjust the watering schedule accordingly!
For the serious lavender grower, check out this online course from MSU that covers everything you need to know about growing lavender in Michigan!
Michigan Lavender Festivals
Lavender farming is gaining popularity in Michigan, and fortunately, many farms open their fields to the public. Start planning for summer now and save some lavender festivals on the calendar!
Blake’s Lavender Festival
Blake’s Orchard & Cider Mill, Armada MI
July 12 – 14, 19 – 21
The Original, 22nd Annual Michigan Lavender Festival
Eastern Michigan State Fairgrounds, Imlay City
June 28 – 30
Lavender Fest Fridays
Lavender Hill Farm, Boyne City
Every Friday June 28 – August 2
Lavender Daze 2024
Indigo Lavender Farms, Imlay City
July 19
Ready to dive in to a dried lavender DIY? Make this lavender wreath for a local touch on fragrant household decor!
Carrie Hause is the Digital Media Specialist for Taste the Local Difference. Contact her at [email protected].