How to Make Homemade Lavender Oil from Your Garden

One of the simplest ways to enjoy your lavender long after the growing season ends is by making homemade lavender oil.

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This fragrant infused oil captures the soothing scent of freshly harvested lavender and can be used in homemade skincare, massage oils, bath products, or simply to bring a little bit of your garden indoors.

If you grow lavender in your herb garden or cottage garden, this is a wonderful way to preserve your harvest while creating something you’ll enjoy throughout the year.

What Is Lavender Oil?

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Homemade lavender oil is an infused oil, not an essential oil.

Essential oils require steam distillation and specialized equipment. Infused lavender oil is made by steeping dried lavender flowers in a carrier oil, allowing the fragrance and beneficial plant compounds to slowly infuse into the oil over time.

The result is a lightly scented oil that’s perfect for everyday use.

Why You’ll Love Making Lavender Oil

Homemade lavender oil is:

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Easy to make with just two ingredients
A wonderful way to preserve your lavender harvest
Beautiful for homemade gifts
Perfect for natural skincare recipes
Great for relaxing massages and bath oils
A lovely addition to a simple homemade lifestyle

Supplies You’ll Need

1 cup dried lavender buds
1 to 1½ cups carrier oil
Clean glass jar with a lid
Fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth
Glass bottle for storing the finished oil

Best Carrier Oils

Choose a mild, high-quality oil.

Some favorites include:

Sweet almond oil
Jojoba oil
Grapeseed oil
Fractionated coconut oil
Olive oil (best for salves and household uses)

Jojoba and sweet almond oil are especially popular for skincare because they absorb easily and have very little scent.

Why Use Dried Lavender?

Always use fully dried lavender when making infused oils.

Fresh lavender contains moisture that can shorten the shelf life of the oil and increase the risk of mold or spoilage.

Allow harvested lavender to dry completely before beginning.

How to Make Homemade Lavender Oil

Step 1: Fill the Jar

Place the dried lavender buds into a clean glass jar until it’s about halfway full.

Avoid packing the flowers too tightly so the oil can circulate freely.

Step 2: Add the Oil

Pour your chosen carrier oil over the lavender until the flowers are completely covered.

Leave about ½ inch of space at the top of the jar.

Step 3: Seal and Infuse

Place the lid on the jar and store it in a warm location out of direct sunlight.

Allow the lavender to infuse for 3 to 6 weeks.

Gently shake the jar every few days to help distribute the oils.

Step 4: Strain

When the infusion is complete, strain the oil through cheesecloth or a fine mesh strainer into a clean bowl.

Discard the spent lavender buds.

Step 5: Bottle the Oil

Pour the finished lavender oil into clean amber glass bottles.

Amber or cobalt blue bottles help protect the oil from light and extend its shelf life.

Quick Warm-Infusion Method

If you’d like to enjoy your lavender oil sooner, you can gently warm the oil instead.

Combine the dried lavender and carrier oil in a heat-safe jar or double boiler.

Warm over very low heat for 2 to 4 hours. Avoid boiling the oil.

Allow it to cool completely before straining.

How to Use Homemade Lavender Oil

There are so many ways to enjoy your finished oil.

Use it to:

Moisturize dry skin
Massage tired muscles
Make homemade sugar scrubs
Create bath oils
Add to homemade lotions
Make lip balm and salves
Nourish cuticles
Soften elbows and heels
Add fragrance to handmade gifts

It’s also lovely for a relaxing evening hand massage after spending the day in the garden.

How Long Does Homemade Lavender Oil Last?

When made with dried lavender and stored in a cool, dark place, homemade lavender oil typically lasts 6 to 12 months, depending on the carrier oil you choose.

If the oil develops an unpleasant smell or becomes cloudy, it’s time to make a fresh batch.

Tips for the Best Lavender Oil

Harvest lavender just as the flowers begin to open for the strongest fragrance.
Use completely dry flower buds.
Keep the lavender fully submerged beneath the oil.
Label each jar with the date it was made.
Store finished oil away from heat and direct sunlight.

Growing Lavender for Homemade Projects

Making infused lavender oil is just one of the many ways to enjoy your garden throughout the seasons.

If you’re planning a lavender bed, consider growing several varieties for cooking, drying, pollinator gardens, and homemade projects.

Harvesting your own lavender makes each bottle of infused oil even more meaningful and is a beautiful reminder of summer long after the blooms have faded.

Whether you use it in skincare, handmade gifts, or simply to enjoy its calming fragrance, homemade lavender oil is a simple tradition that brings a little piece of the garden into everyday life. the lavender flowers can help release the oils and create a more potent oil.

More Lavender Ideas

Follow my lavender board on Pinterest.