Lavender - when to harvest it, how to dry it and what to pack it in?

Lavender is a beautiful plant that can make a great decoration for your home or garden. Find out how to dry lavender and what you can use dried lavender flowers for!
Lavender is a perennial plant with beautiful, ornamental flowers and an intense aroma. The oil extracted from it has remarkable health-promoting properties! The mere presence of this plant at home or in a garden is also extremely beneficial (among other things, it repels mosquitoes and attracts beneficial insects)! It is also worth using dried flowers (they will give a pleasant fragrance to home textiles and protect them from moths). We suggest how to prepare dried lavender yourself.

When to collect lavender for drying?

The best time is usually in July or August, just before the flowers are fully open. Most of the flowers should still be in bud, with the colour of the inflorescences already visible. This is when most of the essential oils are found in lavender.

Interestingly, the time of harvesting is also of some importance. It is best done at midday - at this time the concentration of oils is higher than in the evening, and the plant has already had time to dry from the morning dew (which could contribute to the appearance of mould during drying). The plant is best cut with sharp secateurs.

How to dry lavender?

Lavender should be dried slowly and kept away from direct sunlight and high heat. Trying to speed up the process will work against you. Avoid drying lavender in the oven or in direct sunlight, as excessive heat can affect the aroma and colour of the dried flowers. Allow the lavender to dry completely before preparing it for storage or further use.

After cutting, divide the lavender into small bundles. A rubber band is better than a string or a ribbon for tying them together, as the dried stems shrink and may slip out over time. The bouquets are then hung with the flower heads downwards. They should be dried in a ventilated, shady place that is not too warm.

Only completely dried lavender flowers are suitable for use. If they still retain some moisture inside, mould will appear on them very quickly. To be sure that the plant is already well dried, check that the flower can be easily separated from the stem. Under favourable conditions, drying takes about a week.

How should dried lavender be packed in fabric pouches?

Fully dried flowers should be packed in breathable fabric pouches only when they are completely dry and ready to be used as lavender sachets. If the lavender is being stored for later production, a tightly closed glass jar is a safer option, while fabric pouches work best for ready-made scented products, gift sets and retail presentation.

For fragrance sachets, choose pouches made from materials that allow the scent to spread naturally. Organza pouches are a good choice when the dried lavender should remain visible, while classic linen pouches create a softer, more natural look for home fragrance products, small gifts and handmade collections.

For lavender farms, handmade brands and small e-commerce shops, this type of packaging makes it easier to prepare repeatable batches of scented sachets in a consistent size and style. It also helps turn dried lavender into a more complete product that can be sold online, displayed at markets or included in seasonal gift sets.

What to use dried lavender for?

Flowers not separated from the stems can be used for decorative bouquets. Lavender is successfully used in the cosmetic industry, for example to prepare natural soaps and bath salts.

It can also be used in the kitchen to prepare original desserts, e.g. cakes, ice cream.

You can also prepare an infusion from dried lavender. For this purpose, narrow-leaved lavender, also known as medicinal lavender (Lavandula angustifolia), is used.

The most popular, however, are undoubtedly the fragrance sachets (fragrance pouches with dried ingredients). You already know how to dry lavender into pouches! What can you use such natural fragrance sachets for? They can be used in small rooms, in a car.

However, it is particularly popular to place them in wardrobes, chests of drawers and dressing rooms, as it gives textiles a lovely natural fragrance and provides effective protection against clothes moths. Bags of lavender are also often hung in children's rooms, as its aroma soothes toddlers and helps to ensure a peaceful night's sleep.

Which empty pouches are suitable for packing dried lavender?

Organza, linen and cotton pouches are suitable for packing dried lavender because they keep the flowers neatly portioned and let the scent spread gradually once filled. Organza works well when the lavender should remain visible, while linen and cotton create a softer textile look for gift sets, home fragrance products and handmade collections. For lavender farms, small retailers and e-commerce brands, empty pouches make it easier to prepare consistent batches for online sales, market displays and seasonal campaigns.

Our hit are the organza lavender pouches. Organza is distinguished by its transparency and characteristic mesh structure - in these bags you can display your dried lavender and enjoy its fragrance for a long time. It is organza that is most often used to sew fragrance pouches for drawers and wardrobes. It is worth knowing that scented sachets made of this fabric will also work well in the car!

Where can businesses order packaging for dried lavender?

Saketos provides fabric pouches as packaging for dried lavender, supplied without lavender inside and ready for customers to fill with their own product. The lavender and dried flower fragrance sachets by Saketos collection gives lavender farms, producers and retailers a practical choice of colours, sizes and styles for consistent packaging. If you need a custom size, colour or a collection of pouches with a unique print, contact us - we will create unique bags tailored to your packaging needs.

The healing properties of lavender infusion

Lavender dried herb is used, among other things, to prepare an infusion that possesses healing properties. It should be especially considered by individuals dealing with digestive issues. Lavender infusion improves intestinal peristalsis and also alleviates abdominal pain and bloating. Importantly, consuming lavender infusion stimulates the appetite - this is significant information for those with poor appetite!

These are not all the benefits of drinking lavender infusion. It's worth knowing that it's also an ally for patients dealing with urinary system issues. The beverage helps combat infections and, at the same time, exhibits diuretic properties.

It's also worthwhile to consume lavender infusion during periods of colds and flu. The oils present in the plant have antiseptic and bactericidal properties, thus supporting the body in combating seasonal ailments of the throat, bronchi, lungs, and sinuses. There's nothing preventing you from drinking lavender infusion preventively - this habit significantly contributes to enhancing the body's natural immunity.

Regular consumption of lavender infusion also has a beneficial effect on the nervous system - it is recommended for individuals leading a stressful lifestyle. It should also be consumed by those who experience sleeping problems and... migraine sufferers! It has been proven that drinking lavender infusion reduces the frequency of headaches.

How to prepare lavender infusion?

Preparing lavender infusion is incredibly easy. Just add a heaping teaspoon of dried herb into a cup, then pour boiling water over it. Let the infusion steep for about 5-10 minutes. The beverage is ready to drink after it cools slightly, but there's no objection to consuming it cold once it has cooled completely.

Many people enhance the drink with a teaspoon of honey and lemon juice - these ingredients not only add more healing properties to the infusion but also enrich its flavor (honey can be used in place of sugar just for taste). Lemon juice also beautifully accentuates the purple color of the beverage, making 'lavender tea' a great idea for a pleasant surprise for guests.