How To Make Lavender Oil From The Plant

You can make lavender oil from the plant right at home with just a few simple supplies.
 
If you’ve ever wondered how to make lavender oil from the plant, the process is easier than you might think.
 
There are actually two main ways to make lavender oil from the plant, and both give you that calming floral scent you love.
 
You can make lavender oil from the plant using fresh or dried lavender buds, a carrier oil, and a little patience.
 
In this post, we’ll walk through exactly how to make lavender oil from the plant, step by step.
 

How to Make Lavender Oil From the Plant: Two Main Methods

When you make lavender oil from the plant, you’re essentially pulling the plant’s natural oils into something you can store and use.
 
The two most popular ways to make lavender oil from the plant are the cold infusion method and the heat infusion method.
 
Both work well, and both let you make lavender oil from the plant without fancy lab equipment.
 

1. The Cold Infusion Method

This is the slow and gentle way to make lavender oil from the plant.
 
You simply pack dried lavender buds into a clean glass jar, filling it about three-quarters of the way.
 
Then you pour a carrier oil like olive, jojoba, sweet almond, or fractionated coconut oil over the buds until they’re fully covered.
 
Seal the jar and place it in a warm, sunny spot for about four to six weeks.
 
Shake it gently every day or two to help the oils blend.
 
When the time is up, strain the oil through cheesecloth into a clean bottle.
 
That’s how you make lavender oil from the plant the slow way, and the result is a beautifully scented oil.
 

2. The Heat Infusion Method

If you’re in a hurry, you can make lavender oil from the plant using gentle heat.
 
Set a heat-safe bowl over a pot of simmering water, like a double boiler.
 
Add your carrier oil and dried lavender buds to the bowl.
 
Let it warm on low heat for two to three hours, stirring occasionally.
 
Keep the heat low so you don’t cook the lavender and lose its fragrance.
 
Once it’s done, strain the oil and pour it into a clean jar.
 
This is the fastest way to make lavender oil from the plant while still getting a strong, lovely scent.
 

Best Lavender Varieties and Supplies for Making Lavender Oil

Not all lavender is created equal when you make lavender oil from the plant.
 
English lavender, also called Lavandula angustifolia, is the best choice because it has the sweetest, most delicate scent.
 
French and Spanish lavenders work too, but their aroma is sharper and more camphor-like.
 
You’ll also want to harvest your lavender at the right time to make lavender oil from the plant with the best results.
 

1. When to Harvest Lavender

The best time to pick lavender is in the morning, right after the dew dries but before the heat of the day.
 
Harvest when about half the buds on a stem have opened.
 
This is when the oil content is highest, which means you’ll make lavender oil from the plant that smells amazing.
 

2. Drying Your Lavender Buds

You can make lavender oil from the plant with fresh buds, but dried buds work better.
 
Fresh lavender contains water, which can cause mold in your oil.
 
Bundle the stems and hang them upside down in a cool, dark, dry place for one to two weeks.
 
Once dry, strip the buds from the stems and store them in an airtight jar until you’re ready to make lavender oil from the plant.
 

3. Choosing Your Carrier Oil

The carrier oil you pick matters when you make lavender oil from the plant.
 
Jojoba oil lasts the longest and absorbs quickly into the skin.
 
Sweet almond oil is light and great for massage.
 
Olive oil is affordable and easy to find, though it has a stronger scent of its own.
 
Fractionated coconut oil stays liquid and has almost no smell, making it a top pick to make lavender oil from the plant for skincare.
 

Tips to Make Lavender Oil From the Plant Last Longer

Once you make lavender oil from the plant, you’ll want it to stay fresh as long as possible.
 
Store your homemade lavender oil in a dark glass bottle with a tight lid.
 
Keep it in a cool, dark cupboard away from direct sunlight and heat.
 
If you make lavender oil from the plant using dried buds and a stable carrier oil like jojoba, it can last up to a year.
 
Oils made with fresh buds or less stable carriers may only last a few months.
 
You can also add a few drops of vitamin E oil to help preserve it.
 
And if you want to make lavender oil from the plant that’s even more concentrated, repeat the infusion process with a fresh batch of buds using the same oil.
 

1. Uses for Your Homemade Lavender Oil

Once you make lavender oil from the plant, you can use it in so many ways.
 
Add a few drops to your bath for a relaxing soak.
 
Massage it into your temples to ease tension.
 
Mix it into homemade lotions, salves, and lip balms.
 
You can even dab it on your pulse points as a natural perfume.
 

2. Common Mistakes to Avoid

Don’t use fresh, wet lavender when you make lavender oil from the plant, as moisture leads to mold.
 
Don’t skip the straining step, or your oil will be full of plant bits.
 
And don’t use high heat, because it destroys the delicate scent you’re working so hard to capture.
 

So, How Do You Make Lavender Oil From the Plant?

You make lavender oil from the plant by infusing dried lavender buds into a carrier oil, either slowly over weeks or quickly with gentle heat.
 
The cold infusion method takes longer but gives a pure, delicate result.
 
The heat infusion method is faster and still smells wonderful.
 
Either way, you now know how to make lavender oil from the plant at home with ease.
 
Enjoy your homemade lavender oil.