Yes, dried lavender absolutely retains its scent strength, and for a surprisingly long time, provided it's properly harvested, dried, and stored. The key to long-lasting fragrance lies in preserving the volatile essential oils within the dried flowers.
Shop this post
Bring the lavender idea from this article into your home with these Island Lavender favorites.
Here's a breakdown of how long dried lavender retains its scent and the factors that influence its longevity:
How Long Does Dried Lavender Retain Its Scent?
-
Initial Strong Scent: When properly dried, lavender will have a very strong and noticeable scent for several months to about one year. This is the period where its aroma is most potent and closest to its fresh state.
-
Gradual Fading, But Revivable: After this initial period, the scent will gradually begin to wane as the volatile essential oils slowly evaporate. However, even after 1-2 years, and sometimes much longer (even up to 5-10 years or more if stored perfectly), you can often revive the scent by simply squeezing, gently crushing, or massaging the dried buds. This action breaks open more of the tiny essential oil glands, releasing a fresh burst of fragrance.
-
"Nose Blindness": It's also important to note that you can become "nose blind" to a continuous scent, meaning your brain filters it out. If you've had dried lavender in your home for a long time, you might think the scent is gone, but visitors may still detect it. Giving it a squeeze or moving it to a new location can help "reset" your olfactory senses.
Factors Affecting Scent Longevity:
-
Lavender Variety:
-
Lavandins (e.g., 'Grosso', 'Provence', 'Phenomenal'): These hybrids are renowned for their high essential oil content and often robust, camphoraceous scent. They tend to retain their strong fragrance exceptionally well when dried, making them popular choices for sachets, potpourri, and dried arrangements.
-
English Lavenders (e.g., 'Hidcote', 'Munstead', 'Royal Velvet'): While their scent is sweeter and less camphoraceous, many English varieties also dry beautifully and hold their delicate fragrance for a considerable time. Their oil is often more refined for aromatherapy and culinary uses.
-
Spanish Lavender: Less commonly used for dried scent due to its very strong, often medicinal, and less universally appealing aroma once dried, but it will retain its unique scent profile.
-
-
Harvesting Time:
-
Optimal Timing: Lavender should be harvested when the essential oil content is at its peak. This is typically when about half to two-thirds of the flower buds on a stem have opened, but before they are fully bloomed and past their prime. Harvesting in the morning after the dew has dried but before the intense midday sun is also ideal, as heat can cause essential oils to evaporate.
-
-
Drying Method:
-
Proper Drying: Air-drying in a cool, dark, dry, and well-ventilated space is generally considered the best method to preserve both color and scent. Hanging bundles upside down ensures good air circulation.
-
Avoid Heat and Direct Sunlight: Drying in direct sunlight or with excessive heat (e.g., in a hot oven or high-temperature dehydrator) can cause the volatile essential oils to evaporate prematurely, resulting in a weaker-smelling dried product. Rapid drying at low temperatures is better than slow drying at high temperatures.
-
-
Storage Conditions:
-
Airtight Containers: Once completely dry, store lavender in airtight containers such as glass jars, metal tins, or sealed plastic bags. This minimizes exposure to air, which causes oxidation and evaporation of essential oils.
-
Cool, Dark Place: Store containers in a cool, dark, and dry location, away from direct sunlight, heat, and humidity. Light, heat, and moisture are the biggest enemies of dried lavender's scent and can also lead to mold. A cupboard, pantry, or drawer is ideal.
-
Minimize Airflow: For items like sachets or potpourri, placing them in drawers or closets where they are not exposed to constant airflow will help preserve the scent longer.
-
-
Handling:
-
The more dried lavender is exposed to air, disturbed, or handled, the faster its essential oils will dissipate.
-
By taking care in harvesting and storage, you can enjoy the beautiful fragrance of dried lavender for a long time, bringing the essence of a lavender farm experience from Door County WI or any other locale right into your home, even if you chose to buy lavender online from islandlavender.com.