How To Make Lavender Oil With Leaves

You can make lavender oil with leaves, and it’s a wonderful way to capture that calming lavender essence even if your plant hasn’t bloomed yet.
 
While most people think you need the flower buds to make lavender oil, the leaves actually contain plenty of the same aromatic oils that give lavender its signature scent.
 
If you’ve been asking yourself how to make lavender oil with leaves, you’re in the right place because the process is simpler than you might think.
 
In this post, we’ll walk through exactly how to make lavender oil with leaves, the best methods to use, and a few tips to get the most fragrance out of your leafy harvest.
 
Let’s dive in.
 

Why You Can Make Lavender Oil With Leaves

Yes, you can make lavender oil with leaves because the leaves contain essential oils just like the flowers do.
 
Here’s why this works so well:
 

1. Lavender Leaves Are Rich in Aromatic Oils

The leaves of the lavender plant are covered in tiny glands that produce aromatic compounds.
 
These compounds are the same ones responsible for that soothing lavender scent you love.
 
When you make lavender oil with leaves, you’re essentially extracting those oils into a carrier oil so you can use them later.
 

2. Leaves Are Available Even When Flowers Aren’t

Lavender plants don’t bloom year-round, which means there are months when you have no buds to harvest.
 
But the leaves? They’re pretty much always there.
 
That’s why learning how to make lavender oil with leaves is such a useful skill if you grow lavender at home.
 

3. The Scent Is Mild but Still Effective

Lavender oil made from leaves tends to be a bit lighter and more herbal than oil made from the flowers.
 
That said, it still carries that calming, slightly sweet fragrance that makes lavender so popular.
 
So if you’re wondering whether it’s worth making lavender oil with leaves, the answer is a resounding yes.
 

How to Make Lavender Oil With Leaves

Learning how to make lavender oil with leaves comes down to choosing a method that fits your time and tools.
 
Here are the two most popular approaches:
 

1. The Cold Infusion Method

This is the easiest way to make lavender oil with leaves, and it’s perfect for beginners.
 
Start by harvesting a generous handful of fresh lavender leaves and rinsing them well.
 
Let the leaves dry completely because any moisture can cause mold during infusion.
 
Once dry, lightly crush the leaves with your fingers or a mortar and pestle to release their oils.
 
Place the crushed leaves in a clean glass jar and cover them completely with a carrier oil like olive, jojoba, or sweet almond oil.
 
Seal the jar and set it in a warm, sunny spot for about two to four weeks.
 
Shake the jar gently every day or two to help the oils blend.
 
When the time is up, strain the oil through a cheesecloth into a clean bottle.
 
And that’s it, you’ve officially made lavender oil with leaves using the cold infusion method.
 

2. The Heat Infusion Method

If you’re short on time, the heat infusion method is a faster way how to make lavender oil with leaves.
 
Follow the same steps for harvesting, drying, and crushing your leaves.
 
Add them to a double boiler or a heat-safe bowl set over simmering water.
 
Cover the leaves with your carrier oil and warm them gently on low heat for about two to three hours.
 
Keep the temperature low because high heat can damage the delicate aromatic compounds.
 
Once the oil has taken on a greenish tint and smells like lavender, remove it from the heat.
 
Let it cool, then strain the leaves out and pour your finished oil into a dark glass bottle.
 

Tips for Making Lavender Oil With Leaves

Here are a few pointers that make the whole process smoother:
 

1. Use Fresh or Dried Leaves

You can make lavender oil with leaves that are either fresh or dried.
 
Fresh leaves give a brighter scent, while dried leaves offer a more concentrated one.
 
Just make sure dried leaves are fully dry and fresh leaves are free of moisture before you start.
 

2. Choose a Good Carrier Oil

The carrier oil matters more than you’d think when you make lavender oil with leaves.
 
Olive oil is affordable and works well, but it has a strong scent of its own.
 
Jojoba, sweet almond, or fractionated coconut oil are better choices if you want the lavender aroma to shine through.
 

3. Store It Properly

Once you’ve made lavender oil with leaves, store it in a dark glass bottle away from direct sunlight.
 
This keeps the oil fresh and preserves that lovely lavender fragrance for months.
 

4. Use More Leaves for a Stronger Scent

If your first batch of lavender oil with leaves turns out too subtle, don’t worry.
 
Simply repeat the infusion process with a fresh batch of leaves and your existing oil.
 
This double-infusion trick makes the scent much more potent.
 

So, How Do You Make Lavender Oil With Leaves?

You make lavender oil with leaves by infusing them in a carrier oil, either through a slow cold infusion or a quicker heat infusion.
 
The leaves carry plenty of aromatic oils, so you don’t need to wait for your lavender to flower before you can enjoy homemade lavender oil.
 
Just remember to dry your leaves, crush them to release their oils, and store your finished product in a dark bottle.
 
Now that you know how to make lavender oil with leaves, grab a handful from your garden and give it a try.