What Can You Do With a Lavender Plant?

Harvesting Lavender

• The best time to harvest lavender is right before the flowers open fully and conditions are dry. Cut long stems, tie small bunches together and hang them upside down to dry in a cool, dark area with good ventilation. Leaving flowers to dry in a sunny spot results in fading of color and scent. If you plan only to use the buds, simply slide your fingers along the stem to strip them, and spread the buds in a single layer on a tray to dry for later use.

Scenting Your Home with Lavender

• Place freshly-cut flowers in vases to spread the scent of lavender throughout your home, but don't overlook your options for using dried lavender. Create fragrant drawer and closet sachets with dried flowers and leaves, or combine with other dried flower petals to make your own signature potpourri. If you have a fireplace, use dried lavender stems as kindling. This resourceful trick not only makes use of a part of the lavender plant you might otherwise throw away, it also adds a special aroma to fires.

Cooking with Lavender

• You might be surprised that lavender can enhance a wide variety of recipes. Everything from meat and potatoes to breads and sweets will benefit from the addition of a small amount of fresh or dried lavender flowers. Substitute lavender for rosemary in your favorite bread recipe, or infuse granulated sugar with lavender flowers to use in cake and cookie recipes. Toss fresh lavender flowers into a fruit salad, or sprinkle them over ice cream. Grind dried flowers with a coffee grinder or mortar and pestle so you can store in jars to use long after harvest time. Keep some dried buds intact to add to loose tea blends.

Lavender Home Spa Treatments

• Lavender is often used in aromatherapy products. Experience the calming effects of lavender by sprinkling fresh or dried flowers into a foot bath. Add lavender to homemade bath salts and skin scrubs, or infuse your favorite unscented massage oil with fresh flowers. Allow the flowers to steep in the oil for several days, then strain them out before use. Stuff dried lavender flowers into a nighttime eye pillow. The scent will soothe you and promote restful sleep.

Lavender Crafts

• In crafts, the uses for lavender are as boundless as your imagination. The herb adds beautiful texture and scent to dried floral arrangements, or it can be used just after harvesting to craft stunning wreaths and decorative brooms to adorn your walls. If you sew, tuck dried lavender inside the stuffing of handmade throw pillows or hot pads. Decorate woven baskets with lavender for added style, or cover foam balls with blooms to fashion your own scented ornaments. Dried lavender also lends a terrific texture and scent to homemade soaps and candles.