Lavender Propagation Guide

Propagation is one part of your overall lavender care. Here’s how you can propagate your own plant so that you can grow or share your personal crop:

How to Propagate Lavender

Step 1

Decide whether you want to harvest your lavender in the spring or autumn. Harvesting softwood cuttings in the spring is less likely to cause damage to the parent plant but they are less reliable than hardwood stems when taking root. Hardwood stems can be harvested in both the spring and the fall, but are less plentiful than spring softwood.
Step 2

Find the healthiest part of your plant to harvest the best cuttings. This will give you the best chance for rooting. Cuttings should be at least 3-4 inches long and should be cut just below the bump of a leaf node.
Step 3

Remove the leaves from the lower 2 inches of the cutting.
Step 4

Use a butter knife to gently remove some of the skin from one side of the bottom of the cutting.
Step 5

Dip the tip of the cutting into a rooting hormone then gently place it into a small pot that has been filled with a mixture of half vermiculite (or perlite) and half peat moss. You should also add a little bark to aid with draining.
Step 6

It typically takes about 2-4 weeks for your lavender cutting to take root (it will be a little longer if you used hardwood cuttings). While waiting, place the plants in a sunny location and ensure that the soil remains moist. You will know when they have taken root when they don’t budge when you gently tug on them.

To ensure that you keep both your old and new plants healthy during the propagation process, here are a few things you should keep in mind:

Look For Healthy Stems

Take care when you make your cuttings to choose the right types of stems. The best stems will be healthy and straight. Look for those that are full of life as they will have the best chance of rooting. These will have good coloring as well.
Choose Stems without Buds

Blooming takes a lot of energy out of the plant. If you choose stems with buds, they may not have enough energy to produce the roots they will need to propagate the plant. Therefore, look for stems without buds to give them the best chance of starting new growth.
Snip Cuttings Between 3-4 Inches Long

Make sure that your cuttings are between 3-4 inches long. This will give you enough space to prepare it and keep the energy needed to keep the cutting healthy to a minimum. If you have chosen to cut hardwood stems, make sure to cut just beneath a bump (leaf node).
Fertilize The Cuttings

To give your cuttings the best chance of propagation, you should fertilize them about once per week. Choose a liquid fertilizer that has been watered down to one-quarter strength.
Choose the Right Location

Lavender loves full sun and propagating plants are no different. Place your cuttings in a sunny location and water them when the top inch of the soil dries out.