Today I’m teaching you how to grow lavender. Trust me, you’d definitely want this flower blooming in your home garden.
We can all agree that lavenders are pretty to look at.
The beautiful and delicate purple flowers partnered with the lavenders’ soothing aroma, make these blooms a natural eye-candy.
Something that you’d want in your garden for the sheer aesthetic purposes alone.
However, the benefits of planting lavender don’t stop there. Aside from being visually appealing, the number of ways you can use them can go from skincare to cooking.
Let me give you some reasons why you should definitely want to be growing lavender plants yourself.
Let’s start with skincare!
Were you aware lavender oil not only prevents acne but also heals breakouts as well?
There are numerous ways lavenders can improve your skin.
Listen up beauty community ‘cause you’ll fall in love with this plant just as fast as I did.
Lavender oil aids in reducing wrinkles, soothes dry skin, acts as an anti-inflammatory agent and clears skin.
If that’s not enough to lure you into the wonderful world of lavender, then check this out.
Lavender helps promote hair growth too.
You read that right and I’ve got science to back it up.
The Korean Society of Toxicology conducted a study back in 2016 that proved lavenders have hair growth-promoting effect!
Personally, one of the reasons why I love my lavender plants though is because it acts as a natural insect repellent, especially in the summer.
From mosquitoes to garden pests, lavenders can help shield your home and your garden from these nasty critters.
The fragrant smell of lavender may be a scent most of us love but these insects are definitely not fans of it.
Speaking of their scent, I also love using lavender for quick relaxation and aromatherapy. (Plus lavender has a sedative effect that’ll help you sleep better at night)
And let me just sneak in one last thing.
Lavenders can be used in cooking too! Culinary lavender like the English Lavender variant has that sweet, floral flavor, with just the right hints of citrus best partnered with other herb favorites such as oregano, fennel, and rosemary.
So I hope by now I’ve succeeded in making you fall in love with this wonderful plant. ‘Cause I’ll be dropping a complete guide on growing lavender at home below!
Grow You Own Lavender at Home
Lavender plants are one of the most sought-after flowers to grow at home mainly for the number of ways you can use them.
Case in point: The things I’ve listed above. But first, ask yourself this; Can I grow a lavender plant on my own?
For those amateurs and beginner gardeners who’re doubting themselves at this very moment, let me help you out. The answer should be a definite YES!
Growing lavender is easy, not to mention super rewarding. So just relax. You’re gonna have a great time growing lavender on your own.
This plant can grow in garden beds or in pots. Good news for anyone who has a very limited space or just starting their garden at home!
All this plant needs to successfully grow is a well-drained soil and full sun.
Gardening tip! If you plan on growing lavender indoors, be sure to place it on a windowsill or any spot in which it can receive a full sun.
Whether you’re living in an area with an arid or humid climate, no worries, lavender plants can thrive in either of these.
It grows as a perennial in arid climates while it’s grown as an annual in humid climates.
Oh, and did I mention this hardy plant requires very little attention? Compared to other herbs, lavender plants are low-maintenance.
It’s a simple plant to grow—perfect for gardens of all sizes.
And it will even be easier with the right tools and information.
So just continue reading and I’ll give you all the details you need to know about how to plant, grow and harvest lavenders.
And with proper cultivation, I guarantee that you’ll harvest some good home-grown lavender in the end.
From Plant to Harvest Your Lavender
When is the best time to plant lavender?
Before you start preparing all your garden gears, make sure you know when is the best time to plant your lavender.
Check your calendar first because as always, timing is important in gardening.
It is best to plant lavenders in the spring just as the soil starts to warm up.
If you do plant in the fall, make sure you choose a cultivar that can survive over the following winter.
This tends to be the lavender variants that are bigger in sizes.
If growing lavender from cuttings, it is best to take a lavender cutting in the early spring, preferably before it flowers.
This way, the cuttings will root easily and will have a bigger chance of growing successfully.
What variety of lavender should I plant?
Search for the cultivar that would best thrive in your area and climate. There are a number of varieties of lavender that you can choose from.
They come in many charming colors such as white, pink, blue, violet and of course, various shades of purple.
Basically, there are four common types of lavender; English lavender, French lavender, Spanish lavender, and Lavandin.
The English lavender (L. angustifolia) is one of the most cold-hardy varieties of lavender.
Its low camphor content also makes it the best variety to use for cooking! And I’m using this variety of lavender in today’s growing guide!
Should I use a lavender seed or a lavender cutting?
Now that you know when’s the best time to plant a lavender, keep on reading for the best way to get started.
You can grow lavender starting from seeds or from cuttings.
Although it’s exciting to watch a lavender grow from seeds and it is the cheaper method between the two, I still recommend starting from lavender cuttings.
Simply because growing lavender from seeds is extremely difficult.
See, lavenders at their early stages are not very resilient. It’s sensitive and prone to all kinds of problems. Even when you plant a number of them, only a few will reach maturity.
Starting from lavender cuttings, on the other hand, is so much safer and faster! Not to mention how easy it is to grow successfully.
This method is also known as propagating which I’ll discuss more later.
Additionally, the lavender we’re planting today, English lavender is generally advised to be propagated from cuttings and not started from seeds. Because this variety does not always come true from seeds.
You can ask your friends and family who already have a mature lavender plant for some fresh cuttings. Definitely the cheapest alternative since you’ll be getting them for free!
You can also go to your local garden center to buy lavender cuttings or try at your local farm.
This is also a great way to support the local farmers and get to know the nearby gardening community.
Should I grow lavender in a pot or grow it in the ground?
You can grow lavender on the ground, in a garden bed or in pots. If you have a garden bed, good for you.
Chances are, you’re an intermediate to advanced gardener but today we’ll be growing them in pots!
Lavender can grow perfectly well in pots. You’ll be needing a big pot—about 12 to 18 inches.
It needs proper depth for the roots to grow. Place the pot in an area where it can receive full sun.
Visit your local nursery and ask if they have a spare one, they usually just dispose of them after season.
Or you can always just buy some from Amazon, I got some of my pots from Amazon and they were pretty durable. (Plus they’re super cheap!)
Make sure that the pot is well-draining.
How do I prepare the soil for planting lavender?
In order to successfully plant your lavender cuttings, you need to know the soil conditions that your lavender plant needs.
As mentioned at the start, all lavender varieties require a well-drained soil to thrive.
Although, most varieties can tolerate a droughty soil it simply thrives best in a light, well-drained soil.
This well-drained soil will really come in handy once the winter months begin.
For better drainage, I suggest you mix in some gravel or sand into the soil before planting.
Gardening tip!
If you have rocks and stones present in your garden you can use those instead of using organic mulches for holding moisture.
I do this especially when the weather gets extra humid.
If you opt for mulching, see to it that you apply 1 inch of it in a uniform manner. Prepare it to a depth of 6 to 8 inches.
For the variety we’re planting today, English lavender, alkaline soil with a pH of 6.4 to 8.2 is needed.
English lavender has a Mediterranean origin, so it’s really no surprise that it loves and thrives under the hot sun.
It also best planted in a well-drained to dry soil. Remember to use a high-quality potting mix.
Another good thing about this variety is that once established, the lavender plants are already drought-tolerant so the dry soil makes sense.
You should also take note that lavender does not like much organic matter in its soil, it prefers poor to moderately fertile soil.
How do I plant lavender?
Finally! Assuming you’ve got the soil conditions right, it’s time to plant the lavender. I’ll divide this section into two parts, the first one will be about how to take lavender cuttings and the second one will focus on how to plant the lavender cuttings.
Here are the guidelines on how to take lavender cuttings:
- Take cuttings in early spring preferably before the lavender flowers.
- Grab a sharp knife or a garden sheer and cut above a node at a 45-degree angle.
- See to it that you cut at the point where the new growth meets the old growth. This is where the brown wood stem meets the lighter green stem.
- Take cuttings with a length of about 4 inches long.
- Strip the stem of its leaves about below its half-point. Make sure to remove the blooms if there are any so that the plant’s energy will be focused on establishing the roots.
- To encourage the plant to develop its roots, strip the skin off of the bottom of the cutting. Also, trim off the excess bark present using a knife.
Here are the guidelines on how to plant lavender cuttings:
- Dip the cut end of the lavender cuttings into rooting hormone.
- Insert the cuttings around the edge of the pot into the soil, with the bottom half completely underground.
- Space each cutting 1 to 2 inches apart.
- Firm the soil and water gently.
- Put a plastic bag or sheet over the cuttings to create a little greenhouse for the pot until roots are established.
- Expect the cuttings to establish roots in about 4 to 6 weeks.
- When the plastic dries out, you may water the soil.
Remember, our main goal here is to get the roots to develop.
I usually plant 4 to 6 cuttings at a time to ensure more chances of successful growth. More viable plants, more chances.
You can tell that the plant is established once you can tug on it gently and it doesn’t move. Once that happens, you may remove the plastic bag.
You may move your pots around to maximize all the sunlight in a day it can get.
Growing Lavender
How and when do I thin my lavender plant?
Once established, the lavender plant is very low-maintenance. Instead of thinning, your plants will require pruning.
I suggest you prune the established plants in the spring when green leaves start emerging from the base of your plant.
Use pruning shears to trim one-third of the top of the stem. This keeps the plant from becoming woody and in some cases, splitting open.
Lavender responds well to pruning. Prune once in the spring and once in mid-summer.
How much water does my lavender plant really need?
Water your lavender once or twice a week after planting until plants are established – especially if you weren’t able to cover them with a plastic bag.
Once matured, water plants every two to three weeks until buds form, allowing the soil to dry up between each watering.
Once buds are formed, water once or twice weekly until harvest period.
So now that we’ve discussed how to water your lavender plants, let’s move on to the indicators to look out for when something’s wrong.
I’m talking about over watered and under-watered plants.
To check if your lavender plant is either suffering from being overwatered or underwatered, the first thing you have to do is to check your plant’s soil.
To do this, you’re gonna have to take your index finger and you’re gonna stick it 1 to 2 inches directly into your plant’s soil.
If you are having a hard time pressing your finger into the soil and it feels spongy, it’s most likely underwatered.
And if the soil is damp to touch, it’s most likely overwatered.
Take note, damp, not moist.
Most importantly, if you see the foliage of your plants get a little pale or yellow, take it as a sign that you may be watering a little too much. That and you have a poorly drained soil.
Once you have figured out the problem, adjust how often and how much you water accordingly.
In the lavender’s case; as mentioned above, you generally have to water them regularly on the first growing season and allow them to dry between each watering session once matured.
Do not overwater.
Unhealthy roots are most commonly caused by short and frequent watering.
How often does my lavender plant needs to be fertilized?
This plant prefers poor to moderately fertile soil so you won’t be really needing a fertilizer for your lavender plants.
However, you may use a slow-release fertilizer when planting the lavender. This will go a long way for your plants.
How much sun does my lavender plant need?
Lavender needs at least eight hours of full sunlight.
Too much shade may stunt their growth so make sure you place them on an area with enough sunlight.
Which climate better suits lavender? (Best Hardiness Zones)
This plant is a hardy and dependable woody perennial that will last for several years given the right conditions.
It fits in a wide range of climates and does best at temperatures between 7 and 21°C (44.6–69.8°F).
If you followed the guidelines above, you’ll be enjoying your lavender plants for a really long time.
English lavender loves the sun and dry soil, mainly due to its Mediterranean origin.
That’s why the main problems for these plants are overwatering and too much shade.
This variety is best for cooler climates since they are cold hardy to Zone 5 and above.
For anyone living in an area with hot humid climates, Spanish and French lavenders are the ones for you.
Since these types are more tolerant of moist conditions. If planting these types, make sure they’re spaced apart to allow good air circulation between the plants.
How long does it take to grow lavender?
It takes 4 to six weeks for the lavender cuttings to establish roots. With proper soil, sun and water conditions, you can expect a 6 to 8-inch plant in just several months. And they usually flower a year after planting the cuttings.
Common diseases and pests and how do I avoid it?
As mentioned before, lavender is a natural pest repellent but that doesn’t mean you won’t encounter some problems while growing this plant.
Although, you should be glad that there aren’t that many! Here are some of the common diseases and pests of lavender:
- Root rot
This is caused by overwatering your plants and when the soil you use is not well-drained. The signs for a root rot include wilting and yellowing of leaves, leading to dying leaves and discolored root tissue.
Once your plants passed the first growing season, water sparingly. Follow the guidelines mentioned before. Check that the pot you use has enough hols for proper drainage.
- Four-lined plant bug
The damage of this pest is commonly seen on newly developed leaves. If you see spotting on your developing lavender shoots, chances are it’s this pest’s fault.
Remove immediately when seen.
What plants grow well with lavender to maximize my garden space?
I hope you are familiar with companion planting. It’s a form of polyculture used by fellow gardeners and farmers that is believed to produce mutual benefits for certain crops planted next to each other.
The idea is these companion plants can help each other grow while maximizing your garden space.
Score! Some of the benefits include natural pest control, higher crop yield and shade protection for sun-sensitive plants.
For example, the lavender plant is an excellent plant to grow in the garden because it is a natural pest repellent and attracts pollinators. Here are some plants that will like being close with your lavender:
- Thyme
- Rosemary
- Mint
- Basil
- Celery
- Broccoli
- Brussel sprouts
- Cabbage
- Cauliflower
- Aster
What are the plants that will not go well with lavender?
While lavender has a number of great companion plants we should be thankful for, there are just some crops that will never go well with this plant.
Generally, aside from the vegetables I’ve mentioned above, lavender doesn’t do well being planted next to other vegetables.
This is because of their clashing moisture needs.
Harvesting Lavender
How do I harvest lavender and when is the best time to do it?
Once mature, you can harvest the flowerheads from your plant at any time. If you’re using the Flowerheads for extracting essential oils, its is best to harvest when only ½ to ⅓ of the florets are open.
Gardening tip! If extracting oil, it’s best to harvest in the morning.
You can also opt to trim the whole stem using garden shears for some fresh cut flowers.
What is the best way to store the lavender that I have harvested?
The best way to store your harvested flower for the long run is by hanging it upside down in bunches to dry it out.
Dried lavender can last for a very long time and has a number of uses.
Do this right after harvest.
Keep it in a cool dry place. The dried lavender buds which I use for cooking are stored in a jar and placed on my spice rack away from the stove.
It’ll keep for six months. I also put some of them in a tightly sealed jar and place it on my fridge.
That’s it! Happy harvesting and join me again on the next gardening guide!
Featured Table
| Botanical Name | Lavandula |
| Plant Type | Herb |
| Sun Exposure | Full Sun |
| Soil Type | |
| Soil pH | Neutral |
| Bloom Time | Summer |
| Flower Color | Blue, Pink, Purple, White |
| Hardiness Zones | 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 |
