Lavender Essential Oil is one of the world’s most beloved aromatherapy staples — but have you ever wondered how it’s actually made? The process is a fascinating blend of farming tradition, chemistry, and artistry. At True Lavender Collective, we are passionate about sharing the journey of how this precious oil is meticulously extracted from the lavender plant. Join us as we unveil the intricate process, from the careful harvest of the fragrant blooms to the captivating steam distillation that unlocks the essence of this beloved botanical.
Harvesting the Lavender
The journey begins in the lavender fields. Harvest timing is one of the most important factors in determining the quality and potency of the essential oil. Each of the lavender farms we work with carefully monitor the blooming cycles of their lavender fields, ensuring that they harvest the flowers at the peak of their aromatic potential. This typically occurs in the mid-to-late July for our farms in Oregon, and later for farms farther north in Washington, when the vibrant purple buds are fully open and the essential oil content is at its highest.
One of the key decisions our farmers face is whether to use fresh or dried lavender for the distillation process. Fresh lavender, with its high moisture content, can yield a more delicate and nuanced oil, while dried lavender often produces a more concentrated and robust essence.
Another important consideration is whether to distill the lavender buds alone or to include the stalks as well. The "bud-only" method is believed to yield a more refined and delicate oil, while the "buds and stalks" approach can result in a more herbal or camphorous aroma. We partner with farmers who use both bud-only and bud-and-stalk distillation methods. Ultimately, the choice depends on the desired yield and characteristics of the final product by each farm.
The Steam Distillation Process
At the heart of Lavender Essential Oil production is the captivating steam distillation process where the steam passes through the plant material, it gently vaporizes the essential oil molecules, which are then condensed and collected in a separate vessel.
This time-honored technique has been used for centuries to extract the aromatic compounds from a wide range of botanical materials, and it remains the preferred method for producing high-quality Lavender Essential Oil.
Let’s examine this process step-by-step.
Step 1: Preparing the Plant Material
- Lavender is harvested (fresh or dried).
- Plant material may be trimmed to fit the still.
- Optionally, the buds are separated from stems, depending on the desired aroma and oil quality.
Step 2: Loading the Still
- The harvested lavender is packed into the distillation chamber of a copper, stainless steel, or even glass still.
- If using fresh lavender, care is taken not to compress it too tightly to allow steam to pass evenly.
- Some setups use a water bath below the chamber to generate steam indirectly, which helps prevent burning delicate flowers.
Step 3: Generating Steam
- Water is heated in a boiler to produce steam.
- Steam rises and passes through the lavender plant material, heating the cells and causing the essential oils to evaporate.
Step 4: Vapor Travel
- The steam carries the essential oil vapor from the plant material through a cooling coil or condenser.
- In the condenser, cold water circulates around the vapor to cool it back into a liquid form.
Step 5: Separation
- The condensed liquid contains a mixture of water and essential oil.
- Because essential oils are hydrophobic, they naturally separate from the water:
- Lavender Essential Oil: Floats on top.
- Lavender Hydrosol (floral water): The remaining water contains trace amounts of essential oil and soluble plant compounds.
Step 6: Collection, Storage & Aging
- The oil is decanted or separated using a separatory funnel or specialized container.
- Once extracted, Lavender Essential Oil is stored in ultra-violet light protected glass bottles to prevent the oil from breaking down into its various constituents
- Lavender Essential Oils improve with short-term resting, allowing the aroma to stabilize.
- Hydrosol is a valuable by-product of the steam distillation, and it offers a wealth of benefits in its own right. It is also collected and stored for use alone or as an active ingredient in skincare or household uses. Learn more about Green Cleaning with Lavender Hydrosol.
Step 7: Compost
- After distillation, the spent plant material is often composted or used as mulch, returning nutrients to the soil.
Why Lavender Essential Oil Can Smell Different From Farm to Farm and Batch to Batch
If you’ve ever compared two bottles of Lavender Essential Oil and noticed they smell a little different, you’re not imagining things. This was especially evident to the True Lavender Collective team in early 2024 as we searched for a new supplier of Lavandula × intermedia ‘Grosso’ for our product line. Even though ‘Grosso’ is a single cultivar, its oil can vary from farm to farm — and even from one season to the next.
Here are the biggest factors that influence its aroma:
- Where It’s Grown (Terroir): Soil type, altitude, rainfall, and even how much sun the plants get can change the balance of floral vs. camphorous notes.
- When It’s Harvested: Early harvests vs. later harvests impacts the herbaceous notes and camphor profile.
- Plant Age: Younger 'Grosso' plants typically yield softer, sweeter oil, while mature plants produce richer, more robust aromas.
- Distillation Technique: Everything from the type of still (copper vs. stainless steel) to steam temperature and distillation time can influence the final scent.
- Post-Distillation Handling: Careful separation of oil and hydrosol, gentle filtration, and proper aging help the aroma fully develop and remain stable.
- Storage: Exposure to heat, light, or air after distillation can change the scent over time, which is why proper storage is key.
This natural variation is part of what makes Lavender Essential Oil so fascinating — each batch reflects its growing season and farm practices. Yet, compared to many other lavandin hybrids, Grosso remains one of the most consistent, high-yielding, and reliable sources of Lavender Essential Oil.
Why it Matters to You
Understanding how Lavender Essential Oil is made helps you appreciate why it’s such a valuable product. Did you know it takes approximately 2 mature lavender plants, with about 1,000 flowerheads, to produce 1 fl oz (30ml) of essential oil? As you can see, it’s a labor-intensive process requiring a great deal of plant material to produce a small amount of pure essential oil. This large plant material requirement is the reason why pure essential oils are more expensive than synthetic fragrance oils.
When shopping, look for:
- Species: is the oil from the Lavandula × intermedia ‘Grosso’ plant, or Lavandula angustifolia ‘Maillette’ plant, etc.
- Composition: Check whether the essential oil comes from a single plant or is a blend of various lavender species, and not synthetic blends.
- Source: Reputable farms or distillers.
- Transparency: Brands that share their harvest and distillation process.
Conclusion
The journey from the delicate lavender blooms to the extraction of the precious essential oil is a captivating and intricate process, one that requires a deep understanding of the plant's unique properties and a commitment to quality at every step.
Whether you're seeking to enhance your personal wellness routine, create a soothing and fragrant home environment, or explore the culinary applications of lavender, we invite you to join us on this journey of discovery. Unlock the secrets of Lavender Essential Oil and Lavender Hydrosol and experience the transformative power of this remarkable plant for yourself.
Image credits include B&B Family Lavender Farm and Pelindaba Lavender Farm.
