Versatile Lavender, or the Mistake of Not Having It Already
10 Reasons to Grow Lavender
It's an ornament to every garden
Repels aphids
Beautiful decoration
Dried lavender flowers repel moths
Lavender tea calms
Lavender bath soothes the skin
Lavender oil relieves migraines
Fresh flowers can decorate desserts
Dried lavender flowers are used as a spice
Young lavender leaves go well with meat and fish
When and How to Grow Lavender
Lavender is suitable for growing both in the garden or in a bed, as well as in a pot. Of course, provided you create suitable living conditions for it there. You can grow lavender from seeds, which is a bit more demanding, so many growers of this plant prefer to reach for pre-grown lavender in a container or pot. However, we will cover both options for planting lavender.
If you're wondering when to plant lavender, you can do so in spring, but also in autumn. In autumn, however, you should only plant older plants in the garden, with which you'll have greater certainty that winter and frost won't harm them.
Planting from seeds: Growing lavender from seed is quite demanding, but if you're among passionate gardeners, it certainly won't discourage you. The foundation is suitable substrate - lavender needs permeable and nutritious soil at the same time, so don't be afraid to add a little sand to it. The topmost layer of soil should consist of substrate designed for sowing herbs.
After sowing purchased lavender seeds, be patient, because germination requires time, usually up to several weeks and the first leaves can easily appear only after a month. It's necessary to keep the soil moist and warm - room temperature is best.
Keep in mind that growing lavender in a pot is demanding on substrate. It should be permeable, but never dry.
Planting from Cuttings
If you belong to the more laid-back growers, you'll definitely like the option to grow lavender from cuttings, either from herbaceous or semi-woody ones. Herbaceous cuttings will start rooting at the cut site, and it's advisable to use a growth stimulator and remove the lower leaves.
Planting Already Grown Plants
Of course, the absolutely easiest method that any beginner gardener can handle is planting lavender directly from a pot. Quality lavender seedlings are easy to find nowadays, and selecting them from pots and planting them wherever you want will be a breeze.
Growing in the Garden
Growing lavender in the garden is very popular because it's also suitable for various decorative purposes and can be used, for example, as a path edging or to create a small flowering hedge. Alternatively, you can create an herb bed where lavender definitely shouldn't be missing. This aromatic semi-shrub that blooms at the beginning of summer looks beautiful even when not flowering thanks to its nice silvery leaves. It will enhance any exterior.
Growing in Pots
If you decide to grow lavender in a pot, choose a size that will match the size of your seedling. When growing lavender in a pot, keep in mind that it needs sufficient moisture. Compared to growing in a bed, lavender in a pot needs to be watered more frequently. However, don't overdo the watering, and it's advisable to wait until the soil dries out a bit. Otherwise, there would be a risk of root rot and eventually the entire plant dying. And you probably wouldn't want that.
Pruning
Regular pruning is important, and during the season you should cut the flower stems so that the cut is as long as possible. This means you should make it at the part where leaves grow on the twig. At the end of summer, you should prune all flowers this way. After winter, it's recommended to give lavender a deeper cut. This means you should make a radical cut and properly prune your lavender. Thanks to this, flowers will form on long stems and the lavender bush will look nice and neat. Feel free to cut into the woody parts of the plant, which will rejuvenate the plant.
Overwintering
The question of how to overwinter lavender has a slightly different answer for potted lavender and for garden lavender. If you've planted lavender in a pot and kept it outside all summer, you should wrap it in plastic and place it somewhere where it will be protected from snow and wind. We don't recommend moving it to heated rooms because at temperatures around 15 degrees it may start to wake up. If it's not freezing, you can occasionally water the overwintered lavender this way.
As for overwintering lavender planted in the garden, you can protect it from frost by covering it slightly with straw and mounding soil around it so the stem is safe. Before overwintering, you should prune it.
Diseases
Dying Lavender - This common problem is usually caused by improper care of the flower. It could be due to an unsuitable soil type, or the lavender might have been overwatered, which is more likely.
Spots on Leaves - The most common problem is spots on leaves. They appear as dry spots on leaves that gradually die off. Apply chemical products to the plants such as Ortiva, Talent, Rovral Flo, which will help you fight the fungus.
Rotting cuttings and roots - In case of medium to high humidity and temperature, rotting of cuttings and roots may occur. The disease manifests itself as sharply defined rust-brown to black spots.
Stem spots - If the plant is infected with the fungus Phoma lavandulae, small grey-brown to black drying spots appear on the stem.