How to Grow Lavender

A wonderfully fragrant flower that is easy to grow, lavender deserves to be added to any garden. Everything you need to grow and care for this fragrant flower is a suitable spot in the garden and a little gardening knowledge.

Table of Contents

Prepare

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Choose a location with lots of light. An herb native to the Mediterranean region, lavender grows well in hot climates with lots of sun. Choose a corner of the garden where the plant can receive at least eight hours of light a day. You should also choose a shady spot to protect the tree from strong winds. ^{[1] X Research Source}

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Make sure the soil is well drained. Wet soil is the enemy of lavender, so the most important thing that you need to take into account is choosing a site that drains well. Light, porous and aerated soil is the optimal condition for lavender to grow. ^{[2] X Research Source}

For better soil drainage, you can mix some sand before planting. Sand offers many benefits: it drains well, it’s non-sticky and it’s reflective, allowing sunlight to bounce off the plants. This is especially useful in regions with cold and humid climates. ^{[3] X Research Sources}
As an alternative, you can try planting lavender on high ground, on top of a slope or next to a wall to maximize drainage. ^{[4] X Research Sources}

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Check the pH in the soil. Lavender grows best in slightly alkaline soil, with an ideal pH between 6.7 and 7.3. ^{[5] X Research Source} You can test the pH of your soil with a test kit available at home supply stores and gardening centers.

If necessary, you can increase the alkalinity of the soil by adding a little lime. The amount of lime added will depend on the soil type and test results. ^{[6] X Research Sources}

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Buy lavender. Many species of lavender can be grown at home. Whether lavender grows well or not depends on soil conditions. The varieties sold at local nurseries are usually suitable for your local conditions, but you can also check the labels on the plants or ask the staff at the nursery if you are unsure. ^{[7] X Research Sources}

Mustead and Hidcote are two very hardy lavender varieties.
Although lavender can be grown from seed, this method is not recommended as it requires a cold incubation process, which can take up to a month to germinate.

Plant a tree

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Dig a hole large enough for the roots to spread out. Use trowel to dig a hole at the selected location. The planting hole should be deep and wide enough to spread the roots. ^{[8] X Research Sources}

If growing lavender in a pot, you should choose a very large pot – the lavender plant’s roots will be much wider than it is now. ^{[9] X Research Source}

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Prepare the land. Prepare the soil for planting lavender plants and create optimal conditions for the plants to grow. Spread two handfuls of round gravel about 2.5 cm in diameter with half a cup of a mixture of lime, well-rotted compost, and bone meal. Mix. Cover this mixture with a layer of soil. ^{[10] X Research Source}

Gravel helps to drain water, lime will increase the alkalinity in the soil, bone meal and fertilizer will provide plants with nutrients to grow well. ^{[11] X Research Source}

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Water the lavender plants while they are still in the nursery before planting. You should water the plant in its nursery at least an hour before planting. This step is to make sure the roots are moist but not too wet before planting in the ground. ^{[12] X Research Source}

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Prune. Prune a little before planting. This step is to shape the plant, ensure air flows through the branches, stimulate new shoots, and prevent the inner core of the trunk from turning wood, a common problem with lavender. Good air circulation is especially important when you live in a humid climate. ^{[13] X Research Source}^{[14] X Research Source}

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Prepare the roots. Lift the plant from the pot and gently shake it to loosen the soil. You should plant lavender in a new place with roots that do not stick to the soil so that the plant can quickly and easily adapt to the new environment. ^{[15] X Research Source}

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Plant a tree. Carefully plant the lavender plant in the prepared location, placing it on top of the previously prepared gravel mix. Make sure the roots are not in direct contact with the mixture. Cover the roots with soil, gently patting the soil around the base of the plant. ^{[16] X Research Source}

If you plan to grow many lavender plants, you should plant them about 90cm apart. This distance allows good air circulation and enough space for the plant to grow. ^{[17] X Research Source}

Take care of plant

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Fertilize once a year. Lavender is a low-maintenance plant, and if it is fertilized, it only needs to be applied once a year. Spread a thin layer of the compost and bone meal mixture around early spring. ^{[18] X Research Sources}

The ideal time to fertilize a newly planted lavender plant is after the first watering. Let the soil dry, then fertilize.

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Limited watering. As noted above, moisture is the enemy of lavender, and if the roots are soggy, the plant will die faster than in drought and freezing temperatures. In fact, over-watering in the spring is a major cause of lavender failure. Once the lavender plant has taken root, water it every 7-10 days. ^{[19] X Research Source}

To water the right amount of water, you need to allow the soil to dry completely between each watering; However, you should not let the plant be deprived of water. ^{[20] X Research Source}
If growing lavender in northern climates, be sure to water sparingly until summer, when temperatures skyrocket and the soil dries faster. Then you should start watering your plants every 7-10 days.
If you plant flowers in pots, you need to make sure the pot has good drainage to prevent water from pooling on the bottom.

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Weed prevention. You can prevent weeds from growing around your lavender plants by spreading a thin layer of mulch over the soil. Use a light colored mulch such as coarse sand, gravel, or seashells. ^{[21] X Research Source} Mulch will also help protect plant roots from frost during the winter.

Do not use woodchip mulch to prevent moisture retention leading to root rot.

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Prune. Lavender plants should be pruned once a year, preferably in the spring before the plant begins to sprout new shoots. You should prune about 1/3 -1/2 of the tree when the tree sprouts. Use tree clippers or hedge shears to create a neat and round shape for the tree. ^{[22] X Research Source}

Thin, long shoots emerge from leafy branches. The lavender plant will also begin to flower. This is a good time to fertilize the plant.
Pruning will stimulate the plant to sprout and prevent the tree from breaking and lying down.
However, you need to make sure not to prune too much as this can even kill the young shoots.

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Harvest flowers. The best time to harvest fresh lavender is when the stalks of each flower begin to bloom. This is when lavender is most fragrant and full of life. Cut flowers at the base, near the foliage. ^{[23] X Research Sources}

Prune to new leaves. This can stimulate the plant to bloom a second time in the fall.
When all the flowers on the plant have bloomed, it is too late to harvest lavender for medicinal purposes. If you want to dry your lavender, harvest when only three-quarters of the flowers are in full bloom.
To dry your lavender, bundle about 100 flowers together, tie them with an elastic band, and hang them upside down in a warm, dark, dry place indoors for 10-14 days. ^{[24] X Research Source}
If you want to remove the flowers from the stem, you can roll the bouquet over a metal mesh over a bucket. This work is called “sifting” lavender.
If you want to spruce up your home with lavender, put the flowers in a vase, but don’t put the roots in the water. Water will only cause the flowers to fall faster and the stems to soften. ^{[25] X Research Sources}

Advice

Lavender leaves are usually stone-green to silver-gray in color, with some species having a bright pale green color. Not all are available, but you can find them on ordering sites.
Perennial lavender plants can grow from 30 cm to 90 cm depending on the species. Plants need at least 6 hours of direct sunlight each day, more is better. Lavender can grow well in zones 5 to 10 and is planted about 40 cm apart.
Lavender blooms in mid-summer and ranges in color from gray to deep purple. Many species of lavender come in other colors such as white, pink, and yellowish green. Lavender flowers are small, sometimes looking like flower buds, but sometimes large, they often grow on pointed branches.
Older branches are often woody and do not divide as easily as many other perennials. If you need to move, move in the spring and replant right away. Lavender plants can reproduce by cuttings.
Some lavender species can be grown from seeds (especially the “Munstead” species), or can be purchased as a potted plant in the spring. Popular species are “Grosso”, “Provence”, “Royal Purple”, “Gray Lady”, and “Hidcote”.

Warning

Lavender is susceptible to root rot. To avoid this situation, you should never overwater and in winter should only water to a minimum.

Steps

Prepare

Plant a tree

Take care of plant

Advice

Warning

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