Lavender is one of the most beloved and recognizable botanicals in the world. With its slender, fragrant spikes of tiny purple blooms and silvery-green foliage, it brings a calming, aromatic beauty to any arrangement or space. Whether used fresh in a bouquet or dried as a long-lasting accent, lavender is a timeless choice that never goes out of style. It's especially popular for weddings, home decor, and any design where fragrance is as important as beauty.

Like all of our flowers, fresh lavender is not ready to display the moment it arrives. Give it a little time to hydrate and settle in after its journey and it will look and smell its best.

What You'll Need

• A clean vase or bucket
• Fresh, cool water
• Sharp scissors or floral shears

Step-by-Step Care Instructions

1. Unpack promptly. Remove your lavender from the packaging as soon as it arrives and let it breathe.
2. Trim the stems. Cut 1 to 2 inches off the bottom of each stem at a 45-degree angle to improve water uptake.
3. Use minimal water. Lavender prefers less water than most cut flowers. Fill your vase only a few inches deep rather than all the way up, and keep the foliage well above the waterline.
4. Remove lower foliage. Strip any leaves that would sit below the waterline to keep the water clean.
5. Change the water every 2 days. Re-trim the stems each time to keep them drinking well.
6. Keep in a cool spot. Avoid direct sunlight and heat sources for the longest vase life.

Pro Tips

• It dries beautifully: Lavender is one of the best botanicals for drying. Simply hang it upside down in a cool, dry spot and it will hold its color, shape, and fragrance remarkably well for months. The fragrance actually intensifies as it dries!
• The scent lasts: Even after the blooms have dried, lavender retains its signature fragrance for a long time. Dried lavender bundles make wonderful sachets, drawer fresheners, and home accents.
• Bundle for impact: Lavender looks most beautiful when displayed in generous bundles rather than single stems. Group several stems together for a full, lush look that really showcases the color and fragrance.

Florist Secret

To dry lavender while preserving the most color and fragrance, harvest or hang it to dry just before the blooms are fully open, when the buds are still mostly closed. At this stage the essential oils are most concentrated, which means the dried lavender will be more fragrant and the color will be more vibrant than if you wait until the blooms are fully open. It's a small timing detail that makes a big difference in the final result!

How Long Will They Last?

With proper care, fresh lavender typically lasts around 5 to 7 days in a vase. Once dried, it can retain its beauty and fragrance for months to years, making it one of the most long-lasting botanicals you can work with.