How to Care for Lavender

With such a rich history, lavender has been cultivated throughout time into a variety of different plants. There are three primary types of lavender that have been cultivated into sub-varieties. These primary species are known as English Lavender, French Hybrid Lavender, and Spanish Lavender. Each lavender variety has its own benefits and unique looks.

Here is a list of popular lavender variants:

1. Sharon Roberts

   This English lavender variety will bloom twice and has long, attractive flowing spikes.

2. Vera

   Another English variety, the Vera lavender variant works well in relatively cold climates and can survive in temperatures down to – 20° F (- 29° C). if you live in zone 5a, this may be the variety for you.

3. Grosso

   This cultivar is one of the more popular French hybrids. They grow well in zone 6 and can grow to a relatively large size.

4. Kew Red

   The Kew Red is a Spanish lavender variety that is known for its reddish-purple flower heads that have pink petals on top. In mild climates, the flowers may remain all year long.

5. Purple Ribbon

   Another Spanish variety, check out the Purple Ribbon which has a strong scent and is very easy to grow.

• How Often You Should Water Your Lavender?

  Most lavender plants need to be watered once every 1-2 weeks. It is a good idea to watch how your plant reacts to watering and adjust your schedule as necessary. Fortunately, lavender is a drought-resistant plant that does well even if it hasn’t been watered as frequently as it should.

  Frequently check your lavender’s soil to ensure that it has enough water to thrive. When the soil starts to dry out, thoroughly water it, but don’t allow water to stand in it as that may cause root rot.

  You will be able to tell if you aren’t watering your plant enough if the lower leaves begin to yellow. In these cases, you will need to increase watering. You should also increase watering if you move your plant outdoors in the spring or summer.

• When to Fertilize Your Lavender

  While fertilization practices may vary depending on your plant’s specific variety, it is common to fertilize indoor plants once a month during the spring and summer.

• Best Fertilizer For Your Lavender

  Use a water-soluble, all-purpose fertilizer that has been diluted to half strength when fertilizing your lavender. Ensure you follow the application instructions and watch the plant to see how it is affected. Adjust your technique over time based on results.

• How Much Light Does Lavender Need?

  When growing lavender indoors, place your plant in south-facing windows to give it the most daylight possible. You can also supplement lighting as needed. Lavender needs a minimum of 3-4 hours of direct sunlight to ensure that it grows hearty and can produce flowers. In order to achieve uniform growth, make sure that you rotate the plant at least once a week so that all sides get equal amounts of sun.

  Not enough sunlight may result in your plant becoming more susceptible to disease as well as sporadic growth patterns that will lead to a weaker plant.

• Best Soil For Your Lavender

  Lavender does well in well-drained, moderately fertile soil. If using a potting mix, look for one that has equal parts perlite, sand, and compost. As lavender thrives in slightly alkaline soils, some homeowners will add a few crushed eggshells or a couple of spoonfuls of powdered lime to the mix to add alkaline as they decompose.

• Optimum Temperature/Humidity for Your Lavender

  From early spring to late fall, the ideal temperature for your lavender plant will be around 70° F throughout the day and 50-55° F at night. During the winter months, the plant should be kept in a cooler area of the home that is kept between 60-65° F throughout the day and 45-50° F at night.

  Do not place your lavender plant where it may be in the direct line of forced heated air.

While lavender is relatively easy to grow, there are a few common problems that may arise if you aren’t diligent in watching out for them. Here are a few things you should watch out for:

• Lavender Is Susceptible for Root Rot

  Lavender needs to be planted in well-drained soil and watered correctly in order to avoid root rot. You can often identify root rot by yellowing, browning, or mushy leaves or a dropping plant overall. If you notice these symptoms, inspect the roots of the plants. If they are soft, brown, or wet, you will need to act quickly to give yourself the best chance of saving your plant.

• Why Does Your Lavender Have Yellowing Leaves?

  If your plant isn’t getting enough water, the lower leaves will begin to yellow. Increase the amount of water you give it or water it more frequently until the symptoms are reversed. Be careful to not over-water it as this can cause root rot.

  The leaves of your plant may also turn yellow if you have fertilized the plant too much. In this case, decrease the amount of fertilizer or add your plant food less frequently throughout the year.

• What Insects Can Affect Lavender?

  There are a few insects that can affect lavender plants. Knowing what to look for will help you identify the pests so that you can prevent future damage to the plant.

  

  Aphids

  Remove Aphids

  Aphids are generally found in groups or colonies on the undersides of new growth on a plant. While they will vary a bit in color (or whether or not they have wings), aphids are generally pear-shaped with little cornicles sticking out of the back of their abdomens. These soft-bodied insects seek out the sap of plants and will inject saliva into the foliage during the process which may alter the overall look of your plant.

  

  Typical Signs

  • Misshapen or yellowing leaves
  • Honeydew on leaves or stems
  • Sooty mold
  

  Spittlebugs

  Remove Spittlebugs

  If you see a white, bubbly substance on your plants in the spring, it may be due to spittlebugs (also known as froghoppers). These pests use their needle-like mouthparts to suck the nectar from your plants, slowly draining the nutrients it needs to thrive. While the stems with the spittle-like substance may die, infestations rarely become bad enough to damage the whole plant. Just remove the stems as you find the substance and dispose of them to manage it. You can also wash your plant with water to remove both the bugs and the white substance.

  

  Typical Signs

  • Distorted leaves
  • Stunted growth
  • Spittle-like substance
  

  Whiteflies

  Remove Whiteflies

  Whiteflies appear exactly as they sound. With four, white wings, these tiny insects measure to be about 1/16 inch in length. They are very hard to spot individually, but when brushing up against a plant, you may notice them swarm together in a “cloud” above the plant. Whiteflies suck the juices from the underside of leaves which can cause damage to your plant over time. They also produce honeydew which can attract other pests to your plant.

  

  Typical Signs

  • A wax-like, white substance on leaves
  • Honeydew present on the plant
  • Sooty mold
• Is Lavender an Invasive Species? 

  Lavender is not classified as an invasive species, but like all plants, it should be planted responsibly.

It is much easier to propagate lavender than it is to grow it from seed. Many gardeners choose to complete the process in the spring than in autumn as there is more softwood on the plant that can be used. The process is simple enough and new lavender plants can be cared for and shared annually.

When propagating the plant, it is important that you don’t cut into the woody section of the plant (especially if you propagate in autumn) as that can cause long-term damage to the plant.

Pruning

If you want a bushier plant, you will want to prune your lavender plant frequently. Harvesting your plant regularly will allow for a fuller plant over time. Note that lavender flowers are at the tips of the stems so if your prune it too regularly, you may not receive many flowers.

There are several plants that grow well with lavender. You should look for varieties that thrive in your area to create an idyllic garden that you can enjoy. Here are a few good companion plants for lavender:

The following are a few plants that are similar in appearance to lavender:

• How Large Will Lavender Grow?

  Most of the time, lavender will grow between 20-24 inches tall, though some varieties can grow up to 4 feet tall. As the plant blooms on tall stalks, when it is out of season, it will appear to be a much small bush, being only about a foot tall.

• Is Lavender Toxic or Bad for Pets?

  Humans can eat lavender (though they should avoid ingesting lavender oil). In fact, there are several recipes that include lavender and several other herbs.

  While the plant can be ingested by humans without issue, it does contain a compound called linalool which is toxic to dogs and cats. Ingesting can cause nausea and vomiting as the animals do not have the appropriate enzymes to process the compounds.

• What Kind of Container Do You Need for Lavender?

  Lavender should be planted in larger pots (between 12-16 inches in diameter) as they can grow into the size of small shrubs. If you plan to keep it indoors, you may be able to use a smaller pot until the lavender grows too large and needs to be transplanted.