The short answer: to make lavender oil at home, fill a clean jar a third full with dried lavender flowers, cover them with a carrier oil such as sweet almond or jojoba, and leave it in a warm, dark place for 4 to 6 weeks. Strain it and keep it in a dark bottle. This is an infused oil, not an essential oil.
Homemade lavender oil is a scented oil for a massage or a bath. Learning how to make lavender oil takes two ingredients and 4 to 6 weeks. It is worth being clear about what you get: an infused oil, where dried flowers soak in a plant oil and lend it their scent and colour. It is not an essential oil, which is distilled and far more concentrated. Infused oil smells softer, and you can make it in a jar on a shelf.
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Cold method | 4 to 6 weeks, strongest scent |
| Warm method | 2 to 3 hours |
| Ratio | About 1 part dried flowers to 3 parts oil, by volume |
| Keeps | About 6 to 12 months, depending on the oil |
What you need
- About 80 ml (⅓ cup) dried lavender flowers, culinary or English lavender
- 240 ml (1 cup) carrier oil: sweet almond, jojoba, sunflower or light olive oil
- A clean, completely dry glass jar with a lid
- A fine strainer or a piece of muslin
- A dark glass bottle for storage
Always use dried flowers. Fresh flowers carry water, and water in oil turns it cloudy and lets mould grow.
How to make lavender oil: the cold method
- Fill. Put the dried lavender in the jar. It should fill about a third of it.
- Cover. Pour in the oil until the flowers sit at least 2 cm (1 inch) under the surface.
- Stir. Stir with a clean, dry spoon to free any trapped air. Close the lid.
- Wait. Keep the jar in a warm, dark spot for 4 to 6 weeks. Shake it every few days.
- Strain. Pour the oil through a fine strainer or muslin. Squeeze the flowers gently to get the last of the oil.
- Bottle. Pour it into a dark glass bottle, close it, and add a label with the date.
The warm method, when you want it today
Heat speeds things up. Put the flowers and oil in a heatproof bowl over a pan of barely simmering water. Keep the heat low, so the oil stays warm, not hot. Stir now and then for 2 to 3 hours, then strain and bottle it. Heat drives off some of the scent, so the cold method smells stronger.
The NOIDS Herb Lab can do the warm method hands-off. Put the dried flowers and oil in the Glass, stay under the MAX mark, and cover with the Dish Lid. Turn the Rotary Control to Oil. The cycle holds 100 °C / 212 °F for about 120 to 180 minutes, then cools by itself. Strain through the Filter Set. Expect a softer scent than a cold infusion.
Which carrier oil to choose
| Oil | Feel | Keeps |
|---|---|---|
| Jojoba | Light, not greasy | Longest, about a year or more |
| Sweet almond | Smooth, classic for massage | About 6 to 12 months |
| Sunflower | Light and low-cost | About 6 months |
| Olive | Rich, slight smell of its own | About a year |
Sweet almond comes from a tree nut. Do not use it on anyone with a nut allergy.
How to use it
- Massage: warm a little between your hands before use.
- Bath: add a tablespoon to running water. Oil makes the tub slippery, so take care getting out, and wipe the tub after.
- Dry hands and elbows: rub in a few drops after washing.
Patch test first: rub a little on the inside of your arm and wait 24 hours. Keep it away from your eyes. Stop using it if your skin reacts. It is for skin and scent only, not for cooking. For lavender in the kitchen, see our lavender honey and lavender syrup.
Common mistakes
- Fresh or damp flowers: water in the jar leads to cloudy oil and mould. Use fully dried lavender and a dry jar.
- Flowers above the oil: anything poking out of the oil can spoil. Keep every flower covered.
- Too much heat: a hot pan scorches the flowers and leaves a burnt smell. Keep the warm method gentle.
- A clear bottle in the sun: light and heat turn oil rancid faster. Use dark glass and a cupboard.
Storage
- Keep it in a dark bottle, closed, away from heat and sunlight.
- Most infused oils keep for about 6 to 12 months. The carrier oil decides how long.
- Smell it before use. If it smells sharp or like old crayons, it has gone rancid and should be thrown away.
- A few drops of vitamin E oil can help slow rancidity.
Like the look of this method? The same steps make our calendula oil.
Questions
Is homemade lavender oil the same as lavender essential oil?
No. Homemade lavender oil is an infused oil: dried flowers soaked in a plant oil. Essential oil is distilled and much more concentrated. Do not swap one for the other in recipes or instructions.
Can I use fresh lavender?
Use dried lavender. Fresh flowers carry water, which can make the oil cloudy and let mould grow.
How long does lavender infused oil last?
About 6 to 12 months in a dark bottle away from heat. Jojoba keeps longest. Throw it away if it smells sharp or stale.
What is the best oil for lavender massage oil?
Sweet almond oil is the classic choice for massage. Jojoba is lighter and keeps longer. Sunflower is the low-cost option.
How much lavender do I need per cup of oil?
About 80 ml (⅓ cup) of dried flowers per 240 ml (1 cup) of oil. Use more flowers for a stronger scent.
