How To Get Oil Out Of Lavender Plant

To get oil out of a lavender plant, you need to use a method that gently coaxes the essential oils from the plant material without destroying their delicate compounds.
 
The good news is that you can get oil out of a lavender plant right at home with just a few simple tools, or you can use professional methods if you’re working on a larger scale.
 
Lavender oil has been prized for centuries for its calming scent, skincare benefits, and aromatherapy uses.
 
If you’ve ever wondered how to get oil out of a lavender plant, you’re in the right place.
 
In this post, we’ll walk through the most effective ways to get oil out of a lavender plant, from steam distillation to the easier carrier oil infusion method.
 

How to Get Oil Out of a Lavender Plant: The Main Methods

Getting oil out of a lavender plant comes down to two main approaches: distillation and infusion.
 
Each method produces a different type of product, and knowing which one suits your needs will save you time and frustration.
 

1. Steam Distillation for Pure Essential Oil

Steam distillation is the traditional and most effective way to get oil out of a lavender plant if you want pure essential oil.
 
The process works by passing steam through the plant material, which vaporizes the volatile oils inside the lavender buds.
 
That vapor then travels through a cooling system where it condenses back into liquid.
 
Because oil and water don’t mix, the essential oil floats on top and can be separated from the hydrosol (lavender water).
 
This is how commercial lavender oil is made, and it yields the most concentrated, potent oil you can get from a lavender plant.
 
You can buy a home distillation kit if you want to get oil out of a lavender plant on a small scale, but it does require some practice and patience.
 

2. Carrier Oil Infusion for a Gentle Lavender Oil

If distillation feels like too much work, the carrier oil infusion method is the easiest way to get oil out of a lavender plant at home.
 
You simply submerge dried lavender buds in a carrier oil like olive, jojoba, or sweet almond oil and let them steep.
 
Over time, the oils and aroma compounds from the lavender plant transfer into the carrier oil, giving you a lovely lavender-infused oil.
 
This method won’t give you pure essential oil, but it’s fantastic for massage oils, bath oils, and skincare products.
 
To get oil out of a lavender plant this way, place the buds and oil in a clean jar, seal it, and let it sit in a warm, sunny spot for two to four weeks.
 
Shake the jar every few days to help the oil from the lavender plant release more fully into the carrier.
 

3. Solvent Extraction for Larger Batches

Solvent extraction is another way to get oil out of a lavender plant, often used when the plant material is too delicate for steam.
 
This method uses a chemical solvent like hexane to pull the oils from the lavender plant.
 
The result is a waxy substance called a concrete, which is then processed further into an absolute.
 
It’s not a DIY-friendly method because it involves flammable solvents and careful handling.
 
That said, it’s one of the most efficient ways to get oil out of a lavender plant on a commercial scale.
 

Best Time and Plant Parts to Get Oil Out of a Lavender Plant

To get oil out of a lavender plant successfully, you need to harvest at the right time and use the right parts.
 
The oil content in a lavender plant peaks just before the flowers fully open.
 
This is when the buds are swollen with essential oil but haven’t yet released it into the air.
 
Harvest in the morning after the dew has dried but before the midday heat, since heat can cause the oils to evaporate.
 
Use only the flower buds and a bit of the stem, as that’s where most of the oil in a lavender plant is stored.
 
Once harvested, you can get oil out of a lavender plant immediately or dry the buds first for the infusion method.
 

Drying Lavender Before Extracting Oil

Drying is a key step if you plan to get oil out of a lavender plant using infusion or solvent methods.
 
Hang small bundles upside down in a dark, dry, well-ventilated space for about two weeks.
 
Once the buds feel dry and papery, strip them from the stems and store them in an airtight jar.
 
Properly dried lavender can be used for months to get oil out of a lavender plant whenever you’re ready.
 

Tips for Getting More Oil Out of a Lavender Plant

A few smart habits will help you get more oil out of a lavender plant with every batch.
 
First, always use fresh or properly dried plant material, because old or moldy buds won’t yield much oil.
 
Second, crush or chop the buds slightly before infusing to expose more surface area.
 
Third, be patient, since rushing the process is the fastest way to get less oil out of a lavender plant.
 
Lastly, store your finished lavender oil in a dark glass bottle away from heat and light to preserve its quality.
 

So, How Do You Get Oil Out of a Lavender Plant?

You get oil out of a lavender plant by using steam distillation, carrier oil infusion, or solvent extraction, depending on the type of oil you want.
 
Steam distillation gives you pure essential oil, while infusion gives you a gentle, ready-to-use lavender oil.
 
Harvest at the right time, dry your buds properly, and store your oil well, and you’ll get the most oil out of a lavender plant every single time.
 
Whether you’re making calming massage oil or stocking up on essential oil, now you know exactly how to get oil out of a lavender plant.