Updated at: 13-12-2022 - By: Sienna Lewis

You probably think of many different things when you hear the term “Lavender.” One reason is because it is often included in the overall composition of flower arrangements and bouquets. Some individuals associate it with fond childhood memories, such as the comforting aroma of their family’s old house. Spas, massage therapies, and the aroma it imparts may come to mind. A rising number of Michiganders are discovering the many advantages of lavender and starting their own farms.

The history of the lavender business goes back hundreds of years. The health, fragrant, soothing, and other benefits it provides have made it a valuable resource up to this point. In this article, we’ll discuss the history of lavender cultivation as well as the factors that have contributed to the industry’s current success.

You may learn all about the advantages of Lavender and how to get started with your own Lavender farm. You can find Lavender as the primary ingredient in a wide variety of goods. When you need to take a little nap or settle down for a long night of sleep, a Lavender Pillow can help you relax and feel at ease. Since lavender’s pleasant aroma is so universally appreciated, many personal care and home cleaning items now feature it as an ingredient.

Lavender’s Growing Consumer Demand

Many fields of lavender bloom in the south of France during the summer. This country supplies 30 percent of the world’s lavender, making it a major producer. According to the article, supplies has dropped due to climate change and other environmental worries. However, despite these challenges, consumer demand remains robust. As a result, businesses are trying to figure out how to reliably meet the surging demand.

How to Sell Lavender: The Basics - Krostrade

French growers of the herb continue to urge other farmers to put out their best Lavender-growing efforts so that there will be a steady supply. They are still the market leaders in the lavender business because they are constantly thinking of new ways to expand supply. Because of its consistent demand, several local farmers outside of France have contemplated cultivating lavender for financial gain. As long as farmers and suppliers can efficiently tend to the plant’s prolific growth, the industry will continue to flourish, making it an essential resource in the modern economy.

Different Uses Of Lavender

There are a number of ways that lavender can be used to improve one’s health and well-being. Read on down below:

1. Sleep Support

A lot of people find that lavender helps them get to sleep or stay asleep when they have trouble doing either of those things. Dried Lavender stalks were a popular addition to pillows in the past, helping people relax before bed. This method is still in use, as evidenced by the lavender-filled cushions presented to you. However, there are further ways to ensure a restful night’s sleep, such as the use of pillows that are both comfortable and calming, like the Hemp Pillow. Check out this video for more details:

Lavender oil is commonly used in massage therapy since it not only aids in sleep and relaxation but also soothes the body as a whole. Lavender is a popular ingredient in a wide variety of products. As a natural sleep aid, lavender oil can also be used in a diffuser just before night.

2. Aromatherapy

For its healing powers, lavender is frequently used by aromatherapists. The aroma of lavender plants has long been associated with stress relief. This is why the aroma of Lavender instantly transports most people to a relaxing spa or massage parlor. Minor pain may be alleviated along with worry and anxiety.

3. Hair Support

Lavender oil has been used topically for the treatment of hair inflammations such alopecia areata. The same hair problem can also be remedied by using essential oils like peppermint, rosemary, or tea tree. Applying organic oils topically to damaged hair can help restore its health and appearance.

4. Skin Treatment

The essential oils of lavender have been used to treat a variety of skin conditions, including eczema, acne, and sunburn. You can get high-quality skin care products that include lavender extracts among today’s abundant options.

5. Helps Alleviate Pain in Cancer And Dementia Patients

Some cancer patients report relief from cancer-related discomfort and treatment-related adverse effects after receiving aromatherapy with Lavender oil. Smell receptors are thought to have a two-way conversation with the brain and influence one’s disposition. Aromatherapy may also be helpful for those with dementia. Though some have found success with these methods, more research is required.

How To Grow Lavender For Profits?

Lavender requires at least six hours of sunshine per day for optimal growth. This means that these plants thrive in bright sunlight, but not extreme heat. Seeds or cuttings can be used to propagate lavender. Sifted soil can be put in thin layers. However, a significant deal of expertise and work goes into the process of growing from seeds. If you’re just getting started with Lavender, cuttings are your best bet.

You can increase your income from your lavender farm by marketing it as a destination for ecotourists. Why you design your lavender fields and charge admission to make some more cash? This is a good approach to increase your earnings, in addition to the usual methods of harvesting and selling the fruit or vegetable. This may not be a workable choice for you, but there are other ways to make money from your lavender farm.

Lavender is a popular herb used in both the kitchen and the spa. Lavender has numerous uses in the kitchen, one of which is as a flavoring in baked goods. Lavender is a popular herb used in herbal therapy for treating a variety of ailments, including but not limited to headaches, toothaches, nerve pain, and digestive difficulties. Lotions, moisturizers, bath salts, Lavender sugar, dried Lavender buds, and countless other items are all available with Lavender as an ingredient.

Your fresh or dried Lavender plants may find buyers in the food and beverage industry, as well as the tourism sector, the healthcare sector, the hospitality sector, and the cosmetics sector (including the makers of soaps, lotions, and candles). You can expand your customer base by selling in many venues, such as online and in-person.

It’s not easy to set up and keep up a Lavender farm for financial gain, but the payoff is significant. Since lavender may be used as both an ecotourism attraction and a crop, small-scale farmers have a lot of leeway in deciding how to cultivate it.

How To Cultivate Lavender?

Planting Lavender in your yard can bring in beneficial insects that will help fertilize your fruit trees and vegetable gardens year after year. It’s a fantastic flower to cultivate if you want to attract butterflies to your yard. Starting a Lavender farming business doesn’t necessitate purchasing a sizable plot of land. It’s a good idea to start by planting these herbs in your backyard. Plant them in perennial flower beds or containers with herbs, and your garden will be filled with aroma. If you follow these instructions, your garden will flourish with Lavender plants, and you’ll be delighted by their beauty and utility.

Propagation

Lavender seeds require a cold stratification period of five weeks before they will germinate, making seed-to-sprout time a lengthy six months.

Whether you start with seed or a cutting from an established plant, growing lavender couldn’t be simpler. After the lavender blooms, you can take cuttings from the stems that don’t have any buds. Plant your lavender cutting in sterile potting soil or vermiculite after removing the lower leaves.

Even though the cuttings will begin rooted in about three weeks, it is still crucial to provide them enough of water. Once this Lavender cutting has rooted, it should be transplanted to a container that is two to four inches in diameter. Finally, if the roots are strong enough, it’s time to plant them outside.

Planting

Plant Lavender with 4–6 feet of spacing between rows, depending on the size of the cultivar. Also, make sure they’re getting enough of direct sunlight.

  • Low to moderate fertility soils are ideal for growing lavender; hence, it is not recommended that any organic matter be added to the soil. Lavender thrives in soil that is neutral to slightly alkaline. The ideal pH for Lavender is 7.0, so adding lime and making sure the soil pH adds up to that can help you get your garden ready.
  • Plant your Lavender at a distance of at least one to three feet apart from one another.
  • Lavender thrives in warm, dry climates with plenty of sunlight and well-drained soil. However, they might make it through the summer if given some afternoon shade.
  • The climate is ideal for the development of this plant, which thrives in dry conditions. Lavenders may thrive in a wide range of temperatures. Unfortunately, it can’t grow properly in conditions of extreme humidity or very cold temperatures. Consequently, you want to think about the setting before you go out to plant Lavender.

Mulching

Due of its high susceptibility to mold and fungus, Lavender should not be mulched with conventional organic materials. The weed-blocking properties of the black fabric used for Lavender planting are considerable. Using white sand or white stones as mulch on Lavender plants may help to enhance oil and flower production while also reducing weed growth and the risk of fungal infection.

Lavender: Secrets to Success - Great Garden Plants Blog

Guide In Harvesting Lavender

All of the foliage and blossoms on a branch need to be picked when it’s time to harvest. The leaves can be swept away at your convenience. Flower cutting instruments are recommended for harvesting purposes.

In order to reap the full benefits of Lavender, which may be used as both a flower and a herb, the harvesting process must be carried out in a specific way. Essential oils can be extracted from flowers by chopping them just before use. The slower rate at which this plant blooms is something else to consider. It does flower the first year, however the quantity of flowers it produces is inadequate. The traditional method of Lavender farming is quite efficient. However, if you want to be a successful gardener, you’ll need to invest a lot of time and money into this. Your perseverance will be rewarded with bountiful harvests that are well worth the time and energy you’ve invested.

How To Process Lavender For Sale

There are a variety of techniques to package and store lavender for later sale at a farmers market or to wholesalers. The quickest and easiest way is usually to use dried lavender. Bundle 50–100 lavender stems with rubber bands for efficient drying. Lavender needs to be dried for two weeks in a dark, cool, well-ventilated room.

The sale of lavender plants and their by-products can provide a reliable source of revenue. Lavender buds, cosmetics, aromatherapy, herbal pillows, and many other goods all benefit from the versatility of these plants and can be sold to the public. Numerous Lavender-infused goods are simple to create.

Where To Sell Your Lavender Products?

You should take your Lavender crop to the farmer’s market if you’re a small grower. You can make money off of your farm by selling fresh bouquets, dried buds, Lavender oil, and anything else you’ve manufactured that contains Lavender. When you sell at a market instead than going via a distributor, you get to keep all the money you make.

As an added bonus, your fresh vegetables can be used to make one-of-a-kind artisanal crafts and valuable products. A few of the most fundamental Lavender goods are organic soaps, essential oils, and perfumes.

There has been a recent uptick in sales of all-natural toiletries. Soaps and lotions, for instance, are seeing double-digit growth as more and more people prioritize their health by purchasing all-natural products. Utilizing the wealth of information at your fingertips, you may differentiate your Lavender offerings from the competition by drawing on online examples and guides. However, keep in mind that creating aromatherapy items entails additional labor due to mixing and packaging. However, with the correct branding, packaging, and advertising, your products will stand out from the crowd.

Bunches of fragrant new lavender. This is a highly lucrative market for lavender, especially for a small grower. Growers typically sell their wares directly to consumers, either from home gardens or in community farmer’s markets. We pay $6 for a bunch of lavender at the Saturday farmers’ market. About 300 bunches, worth about $1,800 per year, can be harvested from a 20′ x 20′ growing area. Increasing the size of the plot increases the return. About $20,000 is possible from a quarter acre plot, which will yield about 3,000 bunches.

Flower Arrangements with Dried Flowers, Secondly. Unsold lavender bunches can be dried upside down and resold to craftspeople and florists who utilize the dried flowers in their own work. The flower buds can be separated from the stems and sold separately or used to create sachets or other items with extra value.

Finally, sachets. You may place a lavender sachet in any drawer, closet, or even stinky shoes to eliminate odors and purify the air. Customers who purchase many sachets typically have a strong preference for the lavender aroma. Local merchants also have access to the sachet market. Especially if you make them out of scraps of attractive fabric, sachets are a terrific item to offer at the Saturday market.

Pillows to rest your head on in bed, number four. To start, let’s define this thing called a “dream cushion.” One of the most lucrative value-added lavender items is lavender pillows, which makes sense given the herb’s reputed relaxing effects. Many medical studies have shown that lavender oil can help reduce hyperactivity in children who suffer from ADHD. One innovative grower of lavender has developed a line of animal-themed dream pillows for kids, and these pillows bring in over a million dollars in annual sales.

The fifth item is a living plant. Selling live plants alongside lavender is a popular business strategy for many farmers due of the high profit margins. Instead of growing lavender from seed, commercial producers prefer to root cuttings from the parent plants to preserve genetic purity. Named varieties in a 4” or 6” pot bring $5 or more, and the sole cost is for pots and potting soil. Potted, live lavender plants can be wholesaled to local garden centers and nurseries.

Pet Supplies, No. 6. Though lavender may be used to make a variety of valuable pet products, flea repellant created from the herb is guaranteed to be a hit with pet owners. Commercial flea repellents often contain potent chemicals that aren’t without their own dangers. In addition to being an effective natural flea treatment, lavender also improves a pet’s odor. 500% to 800% markup over cost of components is usual.

Count seven, the lavender soap. Lavender soap is often regarded as a need in the washroom. Lavender soap bars can be made in an almost infinite range of sizes and forms thanks to the wide number of molds accessible to soapmakers. Soap is an obvious staple product and a go-to present option. Making your first batch of soap with a “melt and pour” soap base is a breeze, even for beginners.

There are a plethora of markets for lavender, proving the economic viability of lavender farms. One can make money off of a lavender patch all year long rather than only after harvest by using value-added items.

Top 10 FAQs About Growing Lavender For Profit

If you have a green thumb and a passion for herbs and gardening, consider growing lavender as a business. You may sell lavender plants as well as lavender-infused goods you create. Lavender has been cultivated for commercial purposes for millennia in many parts of the world, including the Provence region of France. Many new and seasoned herb producers in North America have begun to focus on lavender due to its rising appeal. The farms’ sizes vary widely, from personal gardens to hundreds of acres. As a fragrant ingredient to products ranging from fragrances to body lotions, lavender is enjoying a renaissance in favor today. If growing lavender is something you’re considering, we’ve compiled ten of the most often asked questions and their solutions.

1. Will lavender grow in my area?

Unfortunately, lavender is not a plant that can be grown by just anyone. Having a suitable climate is essential. Lavender is native to the Mediterranean region and does best in warm, dry conditions. Most lavender is grown commercially in the Provence region of France because of the region’s perfect climate for growing lavender—mild winters and warm, sunny summers. Growing lavender well requires full sun but not excessive summer heat. The greatest flower heads can only be made with a really cold winter. Growing lavender in humid climates can be challenging due to the prevalence of fungal diseases; however, this issue is occasionally resolved by increasing the distance between plants.

Although lavender has been successfully cultivated across the United States, certain microclimates, such as that found near a large body of water, are ideal. Lavender has been successfully cultivated by farmers in areas with colder winters and huge lakes, such as the Great Lakes and other northern regions. Consult with a local agricultural extension agent or garden center if you are unsure if lavender will grow in your area. In hardiness zones 5–9, lavender thrives. Lavendula augustifolia is the hardiest species of lavender, therefore it’s a good choice if you live in a zone 5 climate or colder.

2. What is the best lavender species to grow?

What you do with your lavender yield is a factor in this. The vast majority of commercial producers focus on just three species of lavender, despite the fact that there are more than 30 species and hundreds of variants. For starters, there’s Lavendula augustifolia, or “English” lavender. The second is a kind of lavender known as Lavendula x intermedia, or simply lavandins. This hybrid is most commonly referred to as ‘Spike’ lavender. Lavendula stoechas, often called topped lavender or Spanish lavender, is the third most popular commercial species.

  • English lavender, or Lavendula augustifolia, thrives in the mild summer heat and extended daylight hours of USDA hardiness zones 5 to 9. The essential oil and fragrant flowers of real lavenders are perfect for use in the kitchen. Several species are widely used for both cut and dried flower arrangements, making them versatile landscape plants.
  • A hybrid of lavender and thyme. These hybrids are known as lavandins and represent a cross between L. augustifolia and L. latifolia. The plants they generate are taller and more floriferous than traditional lavenders. Essential oil production is the primary reason many cultivars are cultivated; in fact, some kinds can produce more than five times as much oil per plant as English lavenders.
  • This is stoechas lavender. The cylindrical flower head of this rare variety of lavender is topped by leafy extensions that look like rabbit ears, making it easy to identify. The common names “topped lavenders” and “Spanish lavender” both refer to stoechas. Most types are only hardy in zones 7–10, although they bloom first and continue to bloom throughout the season more than any other type of lavender. The fresh cut flower market there is booming.

3. How much money can a lavender business make?

There are some backyard growers who are content to tend to a few dozen plants and earn a few hundred bucks a year. Revenues in the hundreds of thousands are not uncommon for larger operations based on land, especially those that additionally create and sell products with added value. For instance, Sequim, Washington’s Purple Haze Farms often earns over a million dollars year from only approximately 8 acres of lavender. Selling fresh lavender bouquets is a lucrative business. Growers typically sell their wares directly to consumers, either from home gardens or in community farmer’s markets. We pay $6 for a bunch of lavender at the Saturday farmers’ market. About 300 bunches, worth about $1,800 per year, can be harvested from a 20′ x 20′ growing area. Increasing the size of the plot increases the return. About $20,000 is possible from a quarter acre plot, which will yield about 3,000 bunches. If you have any lavender bunches that don’t sell, you can dry them and sell them to craftspeople and florists that use dried flowers in their work. The flower buds can be separated from the stems and sold separately or used to create sachets or other items with extra value. Lotions and soaps scented with lavender can fetch markups of 500% or more over the cost of their constituent ingredients.

4. How is lavender propagated?

Almost all commercial lavender farmers propagate their plants through cuttings rather than seed to ensure uniformity in plant size, color, and oil production. If lavender is grown from cuttings, the resulting plants will be genetically identical to the originals. New producers can get started with cuttings from established plants they acquire in bulk from wholesale growers.

5. What kind of soil does lavender need?

Soil with a pH between 6 and 8 and good drainage is ideal for growing lavender. There is a simple pH tester that can be purchased at most garden centers to check the soil. You can lower the soil’s pH by adding sulfur if it tests alkaline. If the pH level is too low, lime can be added to correct the situation. Lavender thrives in well-drained, sandy loam soil with just the right pH. Saturated soil causes root rot disease, which is fatal to lavender plants. This is especially true in clay soils, hardpan soils, or locations with a high water table. Growers of the fragrant lavender plant often construct elevated beds for their plants.

6. When should lavender be harvested?

If you want to keep your lavender mold-free, don’t pick it just after it rains or when there’s a lot of dew on the ground. Extreme heat can also be problematic because it speeds up the oil drying out process. Growers generally believe that the optimal time to harvest is in the late morning or early afternoon, when the dew has dried. The first open flower clusters on the stalks are prime pickings for fresh or dried bouquets.

7. How is lavender dried?

Once you’ve gathered your lavender, tie a strong rubber band around the stems to keep the bunches together. As soon as possible, transfer the bundles to a drying place to preserve their vibrant hue. Space for drying needs to be well ventilated, dark, and dry. To dry, the bundles are hung upside down.

How to Grow Lavender in Your Garden

8. Where can I sell lavender?

The Saturday market is the greatest venue for most small lavender farmers to sell their crop, whether it be fresh cut lavender bouquets, dried buds, lavender oil, or any of the many other value-added lavender products that can be made. The best part is that you may avoid any markdowns or discounts by selling directly to customers at the market. Lavender may be transformed from a simple herbal product into high-demand consumer goods like soap, spritzers, and sachets with just a few more steps on the part of the producer.

9. What value-added products can be made from lavender?

The raw value of lavender can be increased by as much as a factor of a thousand by processing it into finished goods, such as the many lavender-based cosmetics and toiletries that can be crafted from the flower buds or the essential oil that can be distilled from them. There are three value-added items that have been shown to have wide appeal, high profit margins, and loyal customers.

  1. Purple satchels. Once lavender flowers have been picked and dried, the flower buds can be separated from the stems and woven into a sachet that can be utilized in a variety of settings, including laundry bags, bath bags, and even pet beds.
  2. Oil used in aromatherapy. In the field of aromatherapy, lavender oil is among the most popular essential oils utilized. Its aroma has a sedative, relaxing impact on the senses.
  3. Lavender-scented soap. The most reliable best-sellers are the cheap, basic lavender soap bars. To top it all off, many consumers use many bars of soap each month.

10. How do I make lavender oil?

For centuries, people have turned to lavender oil for its many therapeutic benefits, including as an antiseptic, natural antibiotic, insect repellent, and relaxing sedative. Thousands of lotions, massage oils, fragrances, and soaps use it as their fragrant base. Essential lavender oil and lavender hydrosol are both byproducts of the distillation process used to remove the oil from the lavender plant. The lavender hydrosol is used to create spritzers and air fresheners, and it contains a trace quantity of lavender oil in addition to the water-soluble components of the lavender plant. There are a number of manufacturers who provide inexpensive, compact distillers that can be set on a tabletop and used to get the lavender oil out of the flowers.

Conclusion

Knowledge that there is still a need for a steady supply of this essential plant is encouraging for lavender farmers and fans. If you want to get into the business of making useful Lavender items, this guide will get you started. You can build a farm, grow Lavenders in fields, and turn a profit using the various ways and ideas we’ve discussed here.