How To Make Lavender Oil From Dried Flowers

You can make lavender oil from dried flowers by infusing them in a carrier oil, and it’s a wonderfully simple process that fills your home with a calming, floral scent.
 
If you’ve been wondering how to make lavender oil from dried flowers, the good news is you don’t need a chemistry lab or expensive equipment.
 
All you need is patience, good dried lavender, and a quality carrier oil to get started.
 
In this post, we’ll walk through how to make lavender oil from dried flowers step by step, plus a faster method if you’re short on time.
 
And we’ll cover how to store your homemade lavender oil so it stays fresh and fragrant for months.
 
So, can you really make lavender oil from dried flowers at home?
 
Absolutely, and here’s exactly how to do it.
 

How to Make Lavender Oil From Dried Flowers

Making lavender oil from dried flowers is a straightforward infusion process, and it works because dried lavender buds still hold plenty of aromatic oils.
 
Unlike fresh flowers, dried flowers contain less water, which means your finished oil is far less likely to spoil or grow mold.
 
So when you make lavender oil from dried flowers, you’re essentially coaxing those trapped oils out of the buds and into your carrier oil.
 
Here’s the basic process before we dive into the details:
 
You’ll combine dried lavender buds with a carrier oil, let the mixture sit for several weeks, then strain out the flowers.
 
That’s it, and the result is a gentle, skin-friendly lavender oil you can actually use.
 

Choosing Your Dried Lavender and Carrier Oil

Before you make lavender oil from dried flowers, pick the right ingredients, because quality matters here.
 
Good ingredients are the difference between a weak, faint oil and one that smells like a walk through a lavender field.
 

1. Use Food-Grade or Cosmetic-Grade Dried Lavender

Start with dried lavender buds that are still fragrant and vibrantly colored.
 
If the buds look grey and dusty or smell like nothing, your finished lavender oil won’t have much scent either.
 
Organic dried lavender is ideal since you’re infusing it into oil that may touch your skin.
 

2. Pick a Stable Carrier Oil

The carrier oil is what actually holds your lavender’s fragrance, so choose wisely.
 
Jojoba oil, sweet almond oil, and fractionated coconut oil are all excellent choices.
 
Olive oil works too, but its strong scent can compete with the lavender.
 
For a lighter option, sunflower or grapeseed oil also work beautifully when you make lavender oil from dried flowers.
 

3. Grab a Clean Glass Jar

You’ll need a clean, dry glass jar with a tight-fitting lid.
 
A mason jar is perfect because glass won’t react with the oils the way plastic can.
 
Make sure it’s completely dry inside, since even a little water can cause your infusion to spoil.
 

Step-By-Step: Infusing Dried Flowers Into Oil

Once your supplies are ready, making lavender oil from dried flowers takes just a few minutes of hands-on work.
 
Then the real magic happens while it sits and steeps.
 

1. Fill Your Jar With Dried Lavender

Fill your glass jar about halfway to three-quarters full with dried lavender buds.
 
You want plenty of flowers so the oil absorbs a strong, lasting scent.
 
Gently press them down, but don’t crush them too much.
 

2. Pour in Your Carrier Oil

Slowly pour your chosen carrier oil over the buds until they’re completely covered.
 
Leave about an inch of space at the top of the jar.
 
Then use a spoon or skewer to stir gently and release any air bubbles trapped among the flowers.
 

3. Seal and Store the Jar

Cap the jar tightly and place it in a warm, dark spot.
 
A cupboard or a sunny windowsill both work, though indirect sunlight is best.
 
Warmth speeds up the infusion, helping the dried lavender release its oils faster.
 

4. Shake Daily and Wait Several Weeks

Give the jar a gentle shake once a day to keep everything mixed.
 
Let it steep for four to six weeks for a richly scented oil.
 
If you’re patient, letting it sit even longer only deepens the fragrance.
 

5. Strain Out the Flowers

When the oil smells strongly of lavender, it’s time to strain.
 
Line a fine mesh strainer with cheesecloth and pour the mixture through it into a clean bowl.
 
Squeeze the cheesecloth gently to get every last drop, then funnel the oil into a dark glass bottle.
 

A Faster Method for Making Lavender Oil From Dried Flowers

If you don’t want to wait weeks, you can speed things up using gentle heat.
 
This shortcut still lets you make lavender oil from dried flowers in a single afternoon.
 
Place your jar of lavender and oil into a saucepan filled with a few inches of water.
 
Warm it over low heat for two to three hours, keeping the water hot but never boiling.
 
Then let it cool, strain the flowers out, and bottle your oil.
 
The slow cold infusion gives a slightly richer scent, but this quick version works great in a pinch.
 

How to Store and Use Your Lavender Oil

Once you’ve made lavender oil from dried flowers, store it in a dark glass bottle away from heat and direct light.
 
A cool cupboard keeps it fresh for up to a year.
 
Use your homemade lavender oil for massage, in a warm bath, or as a natural moisturizer.
 
You can also add a few drops to a diffuser or dab it on your wrists as a calming, natural perfume.
 
Just remember that this is an infused oil, not a concentrated essential oil, so it’s gentler and safer for direct skin contact.
 

So, Can You Make Lavender Oil From Dried Flowers?

You can absolutely make lavender oil from dried flowers, and it’s one of the easiest DIY projects to try at home.
 
Whether you choose the slow infusion or the quick heated method, the process is simple, affordable, and deeply rewarding.
 
Grab some dried lavender, pick a carrier oil you love, and give it a go.
 
Before long, you’ll have your own bottle of beautifully fragrant lavender oil to enjoy every day.