What planting soil do you recommend? I transplanted about 6 seedlings into a 6 inch pot and by the end of the summer they were doing well. Proper drainage is the key to a successful season, especially in regions with rainfall averaging around 12-15 inches. Find an area with well-drained soil, or consider organic additions to amend your soil. Thanks. Established plants typically don’t require feeding, but for new ones, a dose of an all-purpose fertilizer (10-10-10) can be applied in the spring to help them along. Selecting the best cultivar out of the many available can be daunting. Lavender is beautiful, low-maintenance, and easy to grow if you know how to care for it. Based on your article I think I overwatered them. Water only when you can push your finger down an inch and come up… Read more ». Lavender doesn't need to be fertilized except in the poorest soils. Planting on a slight mound can also help prevent water-logging. Well, planting indoors is no different. The best planting time for lavender is fall. Wishing you the best of luck! Just discovered this article – purchased several lavender plants today – French, I think! I don’t know how well it will do in the ground vs in a pot because of our Zone. Compact varieties grow happily in containers, but require a coarse potting mix that doesn't stay soggy, and you will need to water, sparingly, in the summer. Thanks for your note, Kris. By the way if it helps I live in Ontario Canada. Full sun and good drainage will be helpful, and the plants will likely go dormant in the wintertime. Thank you for sharing! Discover lavender. Though the region presents more of a challenge when growing this species of plant, it can be done with a little extra love and patience. Lavender is native to the hot, dry climate of the Mediterranean and grows in rocky alkaline soils. Ensure that there are plenty of drainage holes, and place in a sunny location indoors for the winter. I live in San Antonio, Texas. When… Read more ». The 3-foot plants that need to be pruned in town grow only 12 inches high in my garden, with my shorter season. Loved the article. It is in a 8” pot and is about 15” tall. With its silvery-green foliage, upright flower spikes and compact shrub-like form, lavender is ideal for creating informal hedges. I was curious about whether I should use a cactus/succulent soil mix for better results along with a layer of gravel underneath. Lavandula angustifolia ‘Little Lottie’ As the name suggests, ‘Little Lottie’ is dwarf variety of English … Peat moss will contribute to soil drainage and moisture retention, while acidifying the soil slightly. We hope to post a more thorough guide soon. Pruning is very important as it aims to slow down the growth of woody stems, and forces the plant to produce new foliage. In most parts of Australia it benefits from added lime at planting and again, when established, in autumn or spring. Casea Peterson is a writer and screenplay adviser specialist for businesses in the outdoor industry. If you have chosen to grow your lavender in containers that can be brought in during the cold winter months, the following tips will come in handy when the time comes to bring them inside. If you are planting outdoors in a region with mildly cold winters, there are a few tricks you can use to naturally increase the temperature around your plants. Remember, if your region experiences harsh winters with very wet weather, you should consider planting your lavender in a container so it can be brought in during the darkest winter months. Could use your help. The bluish-purple flowers appear late spring to early summer. I bought lavandula ellagance purple this year. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree in art with a minor in English. There are many varieties that thrive in very specific climates, so once you know your zone, you can identify the best species for your garden by asking your local nursery or other gardeners in your area. Our climate is similar to PA. ???? But it’s better than nothing! More important than soil fertility is soil drainage. Alternative places to plant lavender while maximize its growth potential include raised beds, containers, and pots. Lavender accepts transplanting better when the weather isn’t too hot. What type of soil is best to start seeds? If your plant is not meeting your expectations after the first 2-3 years, it’s time to test your soil. Just wait until it settles in its new well-drained, sunny location – you’ll love the results! Thanks Casea, I live in Oregon, so lots of hot summer sun, but cold and rainy winters. The third year of growth is when lavender reaches its peak. We’d love to see pictures – please share on our Facebook page! Good luck! My question is, am I being overly hopeful and ambitious, to expect adequate flowers by January? tried to grow it in south Florida. However, lavenders will also grow in semi-shade, provided the soil conditions are met. Hi Allison, lavender requires only moderate amounts of water after they’re established. I’ve seen both in ground and potted feedback from the blogs I’ve read, so I’m not sure which will be successful! Also, aphids may carry viruses that may cause leaves to brown. The staff at Gardener’s Path are not medical professionals and this article should not be construed as medical advice intended to assess, diagnose, prescribe, or promise cure. Consider adding a layer of gravel to the base of your pot to assist draining and use a terra cotta pot – its sides release moisture and prevent rot. If seeds come in a packet of about 105 seeds, am I planting all of those in one pot? How often do you water lavender? Younger lavender should be trimmed less. Purchase good quality potting mix and add a little lime to sweeten it. November is a good time to plant in southern regions that don’t experience harsh winter weather. Water plants deeply but infrequently, when the soil is almost dry. Unfortunately, if you live in a northern region, then you’ll be faced with cold weather, saturated earth, and long winters. It is a fern-leafed lavender, so I guess that makes it… Read more », Thank you very much for the very useful information about lavender. If you live in region with significant humidity, then your plants are going to need some serious elbow room to ensure maximum airflow and prevent disease. Other Mediterranean/kitchen herbs, like marjoram, thyme, sage, or oregano, would work for your slope top. You’re in luck, Jasmine, since lavender loves hot weather! Easy care flowers like cosmos, nasturtiums, or feverfew and native species such… Read more ». These plants require excellent draining soil and good air circulation. Thank you. Thank you. Add small stones for swift drainage. I planted some last November and it’s finally starting to bloom! I learnt that for I should keep my English Lavender in my gazebo which filters about 50% of… Read more », Hey Pearl, yes, it can be challenging to grow in wet, humid climates, but it’s certainly doable! Your article gave info many articles have left out. Unfortunately this is not going to be easy. Hey Ashley, lean soil with excellent drainage and a neutral pH of 6.0 to 8.0 is what they require. Avoid overwatering your lavender, and be sure to give it access to plenty of light. Planting in the spring will give your lavender time to establish through a full growing season. Cultivars of this species tend to be compact in habit and have grayish green narrow leaves and relatively short compact flower spikes. Choosing and Preparing a Planting Site Planting near southern-facing stone walls or building walls will naturally radiate heat from the sun and warm your plants. An alkaline, lean soil will make for a happy, healthy plant. Thanks for this great info! I really enjoyed reading this. Help! The best time to plant tender lavender is in spring, from March through to May. Select a container that provides your Lavender enough room to grow. Quick facts. Some of these links may be affiliate in nature, meaning we earn small commissions if items are purchased. This is a good time to add new lavender to the garden; planting is recommended no later than two months before the first hard frost, to let plants get settled in. Also, air circulation is critical in humid regions, so ensure your plants are well-spaced. © Copyright 2020 Hearst Communications, Inc. My dream is to become a lavender farmer in my… Read more ». I suggest amending your planting soil with organic material such as compost or aged manure and adding landscape sand or pea gravel to ensure free-flowing drainage. Now I know why they never survived here in our yard (we live in Texas). According to Natalia Dudareva, associate professor in the department of horticulture and landscape architecture at Purdue University, flowers emit higher quantities of scent molecules when they’re ready for pollination, and when pollinators are the most active. Do you have any tips to help me and my not-so-green thumb? Should I harvest it? So proper drainage, airflow, and fast-drying stone mulch will ensure a healthy harvest. Make sure it has at least a 1/2-in. How big a container should I use? I love lavender and have tried to grow it in the past. I’m doing almost the total opposite of what this article says to do and my plant looks poor. The best places to grow lavender are those that are hot, dry, and high in elevation to avoid water runoff. Make it a habit to add lime every month or so to give your lavender the lean soil it craves. About to go plant some indoors until I can prep my back yard. Everything you need to know about choosing the right lavender for you. Remember that thing about lavender hating water? On the coast, with its overcast conditions, you may have more difficulty growing this heat- and sun-loving plant. Thank you I hope it can.. Do you know how to determine if Lavender is receiving too much water? Try to pick a cool (but not … If you live inland, you will find this drought-tolerant shrub perfectly suited to your natural climate with intense sunlight and low rainfall. You need to allow your cold hardy Lavender about 4 weeks to settle in to its new location prior to the start of really cold weather and the first frost date. Lavender can’t tolerate an excess of water in the soil or in the air. Water is not lavender’s friend, in the air or in the soil. I tried lavender last year from seed and didn’t get any germination, so I bought mine this year from the nursery about a week ago. Thanks to your article, I know how to grow lavender. HOW TO GROW Lavender requires well-drained soil and a sunny position. Lavender is the absolute easiest thing in the world to grow. Lavender should be planted in containers in a sandy, well-draining mix with enough room for the roots and a bit of space to grow. Seedlings are available in five-inch pots from Nature Hills Nursery. What should I do. For commercial growers, the general rule of t… Water lavender once a week, or twice weekly, if needed. Mine is growing in a pot, so I’ll watch out for overwatering! Hi Sara, Thanks for your question! Thank you for this information! Had no idea they didn’t like water. Thanks for your informative article, and for your help. The sweetly fragranced perennial herb is a popular ornamental plant for a variety of garden and landscape uses, as well as an arsenal of medicinal and home applications. Hi. These are much more heat tolerant and are typically hardy/tolerant to Zones 10 or 11. I’m living in a tropical climate, with about 33°C (91°F) year round, 4 to 5 months dry season but the rest of the year can be very humid. Allison PS, I am very new to gardening. And water weekly in dry, hot conditions for their first summer. Lots of useful info, much appreciated. As a general rule, for plants in need of pruning to maintain their shape or keep them contained, I try to avoid rainy times of year and times when blooms are at their peak. What can we do about the air humidity as it is around 90% year round and probably more during rainy season? A sizeable cultivar needs room to mature. We occasionally link to goods offered by vendors to help the reader find relevant products. I am using a t5 light to grow them and so far they seem to like it but my question is this: what… Read more », Hi Kyle, Wow, this is an ambitious project for a new gardener! I watered them literally to death. Here are some tips: Plant lavender in full sun and well-drained soil (add organic matter to improve heavy soils). COPYRIGHT © 2020 ASK THE EXPERTS LLC. Lavender is very tolerant of cold winters provided the soil remains free-draining, waterlogged winter soils are not suitable for lavender. July to September, it rains heavily. I live in a North facing apartment and would love to grow the true English variety of lavender. You can also plant lavender along pools, sidewalks, or walls for a nice pop of color. Will try again. I wonder if I may pick your thoughts on the following. Lavender, an herb with many culinary uses, also makes a stunning addition to borders and perennial gardens, providing sweeping drifts of color from early summer into fall. If so, how low? At the height of the summer, your lavender may need more frequent watering, but do not allow the soil to become waterlogged. pot (30-40 cm) will be perfect. Pick a plant to fit your garden. I love this plant but never Thank you! Which lavender do you recommend? It looks good all year round with its neat mounds of narrow grey leaves and the … If you have an especially woody plant, prune lightly throughout the growing season for maximum results. That took a while to find. In Ontario it can get humid so there are some Lavender varieties that are a hybrid and bloom best in the Ontario climate. Terracotta is best for promoting good airflow and drainage. You’ll notice that many flowers have less of a scent at night as well. Would that be too much water for lavender? The essential oils in these plants have various medicinal properties, and they are often used as antiseptics, sleep aids, and for stress relief. If you live in a southern state where summers are long and hot, then you’ll need to provide slight shade during the peak heat of the day, and aid in air circulation by generously spacing out your plants. FYI – I live in Anchorage, Alaska. Feel the soil beneath them, and if it’s saturated, the drainage is inadequate. Also I have a water sprinkler system that waters every MWF in am and pm. Remember, if your region experiences harsh winters with very wet weather, you should consider planting your lavender in a container so it can be brought in during the darkest winter months. I have a brown area that is approx. I actually bought a gallon size pot of lavender at Home Depot and it said Hardy up to negative 20 degrees and I have not been here that long but the lowest I have seen is about negative 8. 7ft x 8ft and would like to plant full sun, dry soil (top of a slope), bee and insect friendly plants. Hardy English lavender varieties naturally die back in the winter and respond better to hard pruning than non-English varieties. Lavender should generally be pruned right after it flowers, and again at the end of the summer months to help prevent a damaging winter. How to Care for Lavender in the Summer Time, How to Plant Lavender in Late Summer & Fall, Washington State University Extension: Growing and Marketing Lavender, The Best Climate to Grow English Lavender. Use pea gravel, not compost, as a mulch to help keep the roots cool. Thanks for the question! This plant is typically 2 to 3 feet tall, with narrow, gray-green leaves (to 2 1/2 inches long) on square stems. When it comes to plants that earn their keep, lavender is in the top rank. You will likely have more success growing it as a summertime annual than a more long-lived perennial, but with proper care in a growing area with excellent drainage, you should… Read more ». Be sure to plant a cold-hardy variety, such as ‘Vera’ or ‘Thumbelina Leigh’ (English), or ‘Grosso’ (French). It tolerates soils with a pH between 6 and 8. Fresh lavender will be lovely for your daughter’s wedding- but it typically blooms in the spring and summer. Share your experiences or your favorite DIY home recipes in the comments below! I planted it in a large pot with herbs, so now I need to give the plant its own small pot with gravel for drainage and move to a sunnier spot. Years of growth and an abundance of uses when harvested make this plant ideal for any home garden or landscaping project. The poly house will help, especially since you are located in the south, but adequate light is also key to encourage new growth and blooms. The main reason is because flowers emit scent to attract pollinators. I live in eastern Ontario Canada. Zone 6. The first is to give your plants more sunlight. Will they receive natural light during the day as well, and are you housing them indoors in a location with southern exposure? Thanks for the tips so I can hopefully keep them going strong. Very helpful, thank you . Lavender loves a lot of light, so supplementing with grow lights while your plants are indoors is a great idea. Water your lavender infrequently -- once every two weeks. It sounds like they may be suffering from root rot due to overwatering, and the small plastic nursery containers are not draining adequately. I live in MI. If you’re starting in a container, you can cover the container with plastic wrap and poke a few holes in it to retain water. Daily Care Water the lavender only when dry. Lavender grows in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 5 through 9, depending on species and cultivar. Most importantly for us, the da__ deer don’t like it! How do I prepare them for winter? Click here to find the best lavender varieties for your pots and containers . Your lavender seedlings will be ready to transplant once they have several leaves per plant. an arsenal of medicinal and home applications, Top 17 Beet Varieties to Plant This Season, How to Overwinter Bird of Paradise Plants, Using Pheromones to Control Insects in Your Garden, Managing the Aphid: An Unwelcome Garden Visitor, 25 of the Best Agapanthus Varieties for Your Garden. My good intentions are killing my plant. In the spring and in the summer you can give the lavender shrub a rejuvenation cut. Plant it so that it is at the same level with the soil as it was in the pot. Place near a southern-facing window and consider providing supplemental lighting via grow lights if you’re in the darker, northern climates. I am excited about getting it into the ground to watch it take off hopefully… Read more », Good luck with the gardening (and the weather)! Always consult with a medical professional before changing your diet or using plant-based remedies or supplements for health and wellness. Consider planting your lavender in places that have good southwestern exposure, or on the sides of slopes or banks. Once established in the garden, you shouldn’t have to water unless there’s a severe drought. Seeds for this variety are available on Amazon, from JPK Seed Company. Is your soil acidic? One of those hard lessons Pam… good luck with your new plantings! Check the soil with a moisture meter when in doubt. Let us know how your plants do, and don’t hesitate to ask questions if you run across any issues! I just ordered my soil Burbees. This isn’t to say… Read more ». If planting in the fall, use larger, more established plants to ensure survival through the winter. Lavender can be planted anytime from early spring to late autumn. If you are not sure, gently scratch the wood to see if you can detect a bit of green underneath. I’m in the Florida panhandle, and have been trying to grow lavender with ZERO success for the past 4 years. If you are planting early in northern climates, you should skip ahead to the section on growing indoors. No worries, just add a half cup of a lime and bone meal mixture to your planting hole to sweeten it up a bit. You’re welcome! I live where the summers are hot and dry. It’s bushy, has woody parts in the middle, has never bloomed, but continues to grow. Space seeds with about 1/2-1 inch between each. For small spaces and containers opt for a compact type such as as the English lavender Lavandula angustifolia ‘Hidcote Blue’. ???? A good rule of thumb is to plant them as far apart as they will grow tall. I’ve also noticed some aphids on the new growth, Which I’ve been trying to control my hand picking.… Read more », Hi Patty Over saturation may lead to root rot, a symptom of which is browning. Lavender grows best when air is allowed to circulate around the plant. That sounds great, JoDee. When the lavender flowers just begin to open, usually in early summer, gather the lavender into a bunch (one bunch is about a handful of stems) and cut the stems. My zone is 5ish. How to grow lavender. Plant ‘Munstead’ 18 inches apart for hedging and 2-3 feet apart in boarders for the best results. If you’d like to harvest the blooms first before potting up, that should be fine. Planting in the spring is challenging with wet weather, but it gives your lavender enough time to acclimate and strengthen before the following winter. I’m in PA and wish to try container growing from seed. . Lavender is a delightful plant to grow that easily adds variety to every gardening scenario, from landscaping to wild garden beds. It’s blooming even though I did everything wrong! Should they be pruned? A spot with 6 or more hours of sunlight is ideal to keep your plants happy and warm. Didn’t know I should have put it outside in the summer. How can I grow lavender? Are there certain types of flowers you would recommend? My daughter is getting married next January in Alabama, so I’ve decided to try to grow the lavender for her bouquet and decorations. Transplanting lavender can be done in spring or fall in mild climates, but spring is the best time for moving a lavender plant in climates with cold winters. Another vital element to consider when choosing where to plant your lavender is drainage. Check the soil around the lavender with a moisture meter and do not allow the soil to dry out. And allow the top couple of inches to dry out before watering. You may even consider moving plants to pots and bringing them into a greenhouse during the winter months. Glad you found some tips helpful Maureen! I love the smell of it! It probably is not very common over here as the vendor could not advise on the proper way to get the best growing results. Thank you, the article is really interesting reading as I am planning to do a border of different sorts of lavendars. If you fail to compensate for climate, then your plant will not yield as bountiful a harvest, or even fail to survive. I would like to put it in a container and bring it in for the winter. Sometimes plants will not survive. A top dressing of compost works… Read more », Rookie 48-year-old gardener here! Prune the lavender once every year in the spring to increase the life span and keep the lavender looking tidy. That’s great news. I grew my lavender in a container. I have purchased seed of Lavandula angustifolia from Ebay and am waiting for my seeds. The best time of year to transplant a lavender is early spring as this will minimize transplant shock. I just bought my first silver lavender plant. I need forgiving plants!! As would spring and summer bulbs like daffodils, grape hyacinth, and lilies. Water weekly until after they finish flowering, and after that when the top 3 to 4 inches of soil are dry. Winters here are harsh and I was wondering if lavender can survive the bitter cold of the High Desert? If the pH is too low, add lime when planting to boost the alkalinity. The best time to plant is in early Spring. Wow, Julia, this is wonderful news- and this does sound like an ambitious project! I started seeds in my unheeded greenhouse, in Zone 5 in NS, Canada. Try incorporating some sand into your garden soil, and be sure that potted plants have enough drainage holes. Place the lavender in the hole, fill in any spaces with the amended soil. I couldn’t resist and bought a Lavandula Stoechas Anouk. I will give it a try to see if I succeed! You can also harvest it for fragrant floral arrangements, sachets, and potpourri. So does it matter when I prune it? Thank you for your advice! I tried angustifolias and stoechas with no luck every time (plants wither and dry up), but have had good results with Multifida and with a Croatian variety (which unfortunately, neither can be purchased on the island!). Better suited for hot summers are the English hybrids, Lavadins (L. x intermedia) and French (L. dentata) or Spanish (L. stoechas) species. Strong southern varieties will grow much taller than the northern varieties, which remain short and dense due to the cold weather. If you can’t (because you don’t have the expertise or familiarity in growing plants in such climates) then specify that this is a How to guide for American climates only so that people won’t waste their time reading through an article that doesn’t include theirs! This Lavender type is great for formal or informal edging along walkways, raised wall beds, rock gardens, herb gardens and in mass plantings. Sadly, with especially dark and cold winters, poor growth is to be expected when moving plants indoors. Plant in full sun and protect from strong winds. The mound will settle some, but by piling the earth up before planting you will maximize drainage around the plant. Response is after my first question! Also I didn’t realize it was a perennial!! And as I said before – lavender loves heat. This get tons of sw sun. The title of this article is misleading. Trim off the brown leaves. And how much water to germinate? They come in these little plastic pots….from Hannaford… After introducing the plant into my home in Maine, it quickly wilts, then rots. Thank you for the article! In Mongolia, any people haven’t tried to grow lavender. Recent Content. We’re glad you enjoyed it and hope you will keep coming back for new articles. link to How to Revive a Dying Cilantro Plant . We’ve acknowledged just how detrimental excess water and cold climates can be to the growth of your plant. hole in the bottom. Water only when soil is dry up to one inch under the surface. The short growing season might make it difficult, but not impossible. Now the new plants are looking like they are dying too. Thanks. I have purchase 3 plants from Lowes garden center and have returned 3 plants. If you’re concerned about your plants receiving too much water, you can always take an extra precautionary step: dig a half-foot deeper than the root ball and add a layer of gravel to assist drainage. They are beautiful. I live in the Tarai region in the foothills of the Himalayas where summer temperature is around 42 degrees Celsius April to July, and in winter (November to Feb.) it ranges at night from 2-6 degrees Celsius and during the day 15-21 degrees Celsius.
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