Air drying herbs is an easy and effective way to preserve herbs for storage. It works best for herbs that have a low moisture content that dry quickly and don’t easily go mouldy. The gentle air drying process is also good for fragile flowers and herbs high in essential oils as it is less depleting.

Insects can easily be removed by shaking the plants and remove any dried or diseased plant material. If you do need to rinse the plants make sure to dry them well with paper towel to prevent the dampness encouraging mould.

If you have harvested entire branches with leaves they can be bundled together in small bunches and hung upside down to dry. Avoid large bunches in plants with a high water content. Leaves and flowers can be laid out loose in single layers on sheets of paper or wire drying racks. Large roots may need to be cut up into smaller pieces. Place the herbs in a shaded but warm, dry place where the air can circulate easily. Your garden shed, kitchen or airing cupboard may be ideal for this.

Check on the herbs a couple of times a week until they are dry and ready to store.