28 January 2023 / Laura Garvin Gomez
How To Make Lavender Oil
Learn the simple process of making your own lavender oil at home with just a few basic ingredients and steps.

Lavender oil has been used for centuries by cultures around the world to aid both mental and physical conditions, and it remains one of the most popular varieties of essential oil today.
We’ve put together a guide on how to make lavender-infused oil so you can add it to your skincare routine, use it to ward off pests or even clean your home. It’s a much simpler process than making true lavender essential oil, as you won’t have to distil the lavender buds or invest in extra equipment.
Read on to learn how to make lavender oil, which types of lavender are best to use and much more.
How to make lavender oilBelow, we explain how to make lavender-infused oil, which is much more straightforward and less expensive than making lavender essential oil. Follow the steps below to learn how to make lavender essential oil: Step 1: Harvest and dry the lavenderYou can use a plant in full bloom or lavender leaves, depending on what is available to you. Cut at least six inches from the flower and tie the sprigs together at the base. To dry them out, hang the sprigs upside down in a warm, dry location that has good air circulation. It will take around 12-14 days for the lavender to dry (it may take longer, depending on the conditions. You can tell when it is fully dried if a stem can be snapped off cleanly. Step 2: Infuse the mixtureThere are different types of carrier oil you can infuse with your lavender, although which one you choose depends on your intended use. For example, for topical application, use a carrier oil that will work well with your complexion (you should always carry out patch tests to ensure it is suitable for your skin). Once you have chosen your preferred carrier oil, put the dried lavender into a clean glass jar so it is at least three-quarters full. Next, add enough carrier oil to cover the lavender so it is still able to move around the jar, then replace the lid to secure the contents. You should leave the mixture to infuse for anywhere between 1-3 weeks, giving the jar an occasional shake throughout this period. Step 3: Strain the lavender flowersThe last step of making lavender oil is to strain out the oil and dried lavender mixture. Once you think the infusion has gone on for long enough, use a cheesecloth to strain the flowers. The infused oil can now be stored in a glass container. |
How long does homemade lavender oil last?
Once the lavender has been strained, you can expect the oil to last for between 1-2 years, depending on the type of carrier oil you have used and how well it is stored.
This is why it is a good idea to use a brand-new carrier oil with a good expiry date, as this should also carry over to your lavender oil after you have finished making it. In terms of storage, keep it in a sealed container with a tight lid in a cool, dark location.
What is the best type of lavender to use to make homemade oil?
There are currently 47 known species of lavender that are categorised into more than 450 varieties, although the main types are English, Spanish, French,Bulgarian and lavandin.
With so many to choose from you may be wondering which is the best lavender to use for homemade oil. Most lavender essential oil is made using lavandin, which is a hybrid between Lavandula angustifolia (English) and Lavandula latifolia (Portuguese). This is largely because it has a powerful lavender scent that works incredibly well with carrier oils.
A good rule of thumb to follow when choosing lavender is to use any English variety or Lavandula x intermedia cross. English Lavender tends to offer better medicinal properties compared to French and Spanish types, if that is something that you intend to use the oil for.
What are the best types of ready-made lavender essential oils?
Of course, not everyone has the time to set aside to make homemade lavender oil. Some people prefer to buy essential oil so they can start to enjoy it right away while gaining the full benefits the oil can provide.
With that in mind, two types of readymade lavender essential oil we would recommend are:
Bulgarian Lavender Essential Oil to bring calm and ease stress
Bulgarian lavender essential oil is extracted via steam distillation from a highly popular strain grown in Bulgaria. Its scent is more complex than other varieties, as it is stronger than the traditional softness given off by English lavender and sweeter than the heavily herb-influenced French variety. Bulgarian lavender can serve as the perfect remedy for managing stress and low moods, producing a calming effect that also aids sleep and all-round relaxation.
French Lavender Essential is great for the mind and your home
Another option could be to use readymade French lavender essential oil. Thanks to its bacterial properties it can be used to help treat wounds, while many also believe it can provide pain relief. In addition to helping to reduce stress and encourage relaxation for sleep, French lavender oil is also used by some to ward off pests (spiders in particular), while others include it in their ingredients for homemade cleaners.
You may be surprised to learn just how easy it is to make lavender-infused oil. It’s a good idea to have it as a backup or as an extra option alongside your favoured brand, so you’ll never run out. And while infused oil can be put to use in a variety of ways, it isn’t able to offer the same sort of health benefits provided by lavender essential oil, so always bear that in mind when using it. Making essential oil will require you to invest more time and money into the process, so if you want something that involves less hassle, lavender-infused oil is the way to go.
Product Name |
100% Pure Lavender (French) Essential Oil |
Botanical Name | Lavandula Angustifolia |
Scent Type | Floral |
Benefits & Uses | Calming, Sleeping Aid, Hair Care |
Suitable for Diffusers? | Yes, this lavender (french) essential oil is perfect for diffusers. |
Suitable for Candles and Soaps? | Yes, this lavender (french) essential oil is perfect for candle and soap making. |
Extraction Method | Steam Distillation |
Bottle Type | Tamper proof and UV resistant |