Lavender is a simple aromatic plant to grow, both in pots and in full soil. Italian lavender (Lavandula stoechas) has two brilliantly coloured 'wings' at the top of each flower. Eulalia Palomo has been a professional writer since 2009. You can take a softwood cutting of several inches in the spring or later in the year when stems are more mature. This lovely bath soak features lavender leaves and other fresh green herbs from your garden, such as mint, rosemary, sage, thyme, plantain, violet leaves, or pine needles. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. Unfortunately, once a plant has become woody and leggy it is very rarely possible to … The lavender hydrosol has a tiny amount of lavender oil as well as the water-soluble parts of the lavender plant, and it is … It's named for the Greek words “plectron,” which means spur, and “anthos,” which means flower. The narrow 2.5-inch-long leaves are grey to silver green and fragrant. The pH level of soil can be tested using an inexpensive kit purchased from lawn and garden stores. Branches that are truly dead will be gray to black in color, dry and brittle. If your lavender plant has been deprived of its annual pruning for some years, it's likely become quite leggy and the woody base has begun to sprawl and will be quite top heavy when in bloom. Lavender plants grow in clumps 2 to 3 feet wide. There are four main groups of lavender. Lavender grown from seeds should spend its first three months in a cold frame or greenhouse. Palomo holds a Bachelor of Arts in liberal studies from Boston University. There are lots of ways to use lavender, too – try creating lavender bath oil, lavender bath bags or in the kitchen as a part of sweet or savoury dishes. In warmer climates it is better to have 3 parts of soil, 2 parts of thick sand and one part of thin sand. When planting lavender in pots, choose terracotta pots with drainage holes. It is best to plant lavender plants between April and May, as the soil is beginning to warm up.However, you can also plant out lavender plants in the fall, after the warmth is just beginning to fade. English lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) is known as true lavender, and is typically used in the production of potpourri and oil. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. Lavender stems may be kept in a vase filled with fresh water. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. The Parts of Plants That Produce Essential Oil. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. I will tell you how to move your Lavender plant plus give you planting tips for success. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. Lavender plants are comprised of a root system, stalks, leaves and a flower head. The flower head is made up of multiple of tiny flowers. Online orders are operating as normal, but we will remain closed to visitors this season. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. In the spring, it may be planted outside in a sunny area. The lavender plant will benefit from being moved into a semi-shaded area outdoors after all danger of frost is past. Plant lavender in alkaline soil with good drainage, preferably with a pH level between 6.4 and 8.2. Plant or transfer the lavender to the right type of pot and the lavender should recover. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Lavender is a delightful plant to grow that easily adds variety to every gardening scenario, from landscaping to wild garden beds. When mature, the plant can take temperatures down to 10 degrees F. Watering. Lavender plants are identifiable from their purple flowers that grow atop long, thin stems. Transfer the lavender to a more permanen… Plant lavender 2 to 3 feet apart. Two parts potting soil with one part perlite or coarse sand will give them the quick draining conditions they need. It is best to avoid placing lavender plants during the warmest or coldest parts of the year, as planting at these times can place your plants under a lot of stress and they may not thrive. The next part of a hot and dry environment is the ‘dry’ part. Once new leaves appear, lavender cuttings are transplanted into the garden or pots. In the garden, lavender makes an excellent companion plant for almost anything from roses to cabbage. This doesn’t mean that you should leave your plant out in the hot Arizona sun without a drop of water. Using a range of lavender forms and colours creates a relaxed country ambiance, while a display of one variety planted as a hedge (French lavender is one of the best for this), topiarised or massed in a garden bed adds a more formal structure to the garden. Add a sprinkling of bonemeal to the planting hole, place the plant in the hole, backfill and firm in. Even partial shade will inhibit the plant's growth. In moderate climates it will be enough with a mix of 3 parts of soil and one of sand. You just need to keep the following information in mind when taking care of Lavender. Plant lavender at the same depth it was in its pot. The base of the stalks are placed in a soilless rooting medium, where they form new roots. Blend equal parts of fresh chopped green herbs and Epsom salt in a mini food processor. Nutrient Rich Soils causing Lavender to Wilt. have aromatic flowers that are used to scent potpourri, create perfumes and splashes, and even add flavor to culinary dishes and deserts. Lavender is an herb that is used in skin and beauty products but packs a wealth of health benefits, including action against fungi, wounds, and anxiety. Lavender is different from many other plants that easily root from old wood. She travels widely and has spent over six years living abroad. The roots survive under the soil through the winter, even in freezing temperatures. These flowers are well known for their sweet fragrance, which is why they are used in candles and air fresheners. … Plant your lavender in well-drained, rocky soil, on a slope (if possible) to ensure drainage. Lavender is perfect in pots and makes good low edging. Lavender plants really do not need that much care and give so much back in return. Lavender plants bloom in summer in white, purple, blue and lavender colors, depending on the variety. Ohio State University: Lavandula Angustifolia, New Mexico State University: Aromatic Lavender Livens Herb and Flower Gardens, Sunshine Herb and Lavender Farm: Growing Lavender The Sunshine Way, Mother Earth Living: A Guide to Propagating Herbs: Softwood Cuttings. Outdoor Lavender Plant Care: Water Requirements. Easy Lavender Plant Care Tips Learning to properly care for your new Lavender plant is simple to do. Water well. The aromatic flowers are dried or distilled to extract the scent. The plants are perennials, hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 5 through 9. With a sunny, well-draining location and plenty of spring and summer sun, the plants will thrive, but when winter comes, they are often killed to the ground if temperatures are to… Cutting this part will damage the plant. Lavender is an attractive plant that bursts into a profusion of beautiful purple-colored blooms. Barely cover the seeds with soil. Lavender is a multipurpose plant. Lavender is a well known and fragrant plant with gray-green foliage, upright flower spikes, and a compact shrub form. It is a colourless or yellow liquid, the fragrant constituents of which are linalyl acetate, linalool, pinene, limonene, geraniol, and cineole. Lavender must be planted in full sunlight. When lavender oil is extracted from the plant using distillation, the process produces both the essential oil and a lavender hydrosol. Tie a bunch using a rubber band and hang it upside down in a dark, dry place for about a week. Lavender is a type of flowering plant that belongs to the mint family. The flowers give off a strong, pleasing aroma when crushed. Aromatherapy. Lavender plants are frost-hardy perennials. Or, you can try taking a cutting from a mature plant. To mimic the alkaline soil of the Mediterranean, add 1 teaspoon of lime to the bag of potting mix before using it in the lavenders’ pots. Plants typically reach between 1 and 3 feet in height. There are two ways to propagate lavender: from seed and from softwood cuttings. Lavender buds, flowers, leaves and stems have multiple uses. Lavender grows in dry, sunny areas on well-drained soils. 2 If you're going to plant directly on the soil, it is better to first soften with a shovel a space of 50cm x 50cm and 30cm depth and do the mix there. There are more than 30 species of lavender that originate from Mediterranean region, northern and eastern parts of Africa and southwestern Asia. Softwood cuttings are 3- to 5-inch-long sections of green stalks taken in late spring or early summer. In order to ensure strong growth and a healthy life, I will walk you through the steps and considerations of when, where, and how to grow your plant outdoors. Read my article, choosing the right pot for lavenders. French lavender is frost hardy, so is best kept in containers and protected over winter. 4. There are no reasons not to grow lavender, but is it right for your zone? Areas with poor drainage can cause root rot and potentially kill the plants. Lavender Gifts; Gift Special Offers; Gift Vouchers; Delivery and Conditions; About Plants. Spanish lavender is sometimes called “rabbit ears” for its unusual blossom. Lavender cultivation. A tropical, hardy little plant related to Swedish ivy, mint, and Creeping Charlie (the notorious lawn weed), this purple charmer is easy to grow (even for those without a green thumb) and will thrive with minimal care. 1  Plant lavender in early spring so it can establish itself before winter. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. If you have young, healthy lavender plants, you can work at preventing woody lavender with appropriate planting and cultural care. Moving you plant can be done just about anytime in the growing season depending on where you live. Each flowering stalk on a lavender plant develops a single flower head, called an inflorescence. Prevention is always easier than cure. Prior to taking up writing full time she has worked as a landscape artist and organic gardener. This can be done through: 1. preparingcuttings 2. harvesting and growing from seeds Let’s take a lo… Is There a Difference Between Sweet Peas & Sugar Snap Peas? These cookies do not store any personal information. Seeds are planted in winter in a greenhouse or outdoors in early spring, taking 10 days to two months to germinate and emerge from the soil. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. 5. Lavender is most commonly used in aromatherapy. As lavender plants age, the older stalks get woody and thicken, turning from square to round. At the end of the flowering season, seeds develop on the flower head. Hardwood stems are more mature and brittle, likely to … Some shrubs can take severe pruning and hatracking, but pruning lavender too hard wouldkill it. 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. The new growth is green and flexible for the first year. Within this article, I loosely refer to all volatile oils including essential oils, absolutes and CO2s collectively as "essential oils." Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It has ancient medicinal properties, a heady fragrance and season-long spectacular purple to white flower spikes. Plant lavender on mounds in wet areas and amend the soil with peat moss or other organic material to improve drainage. Bees love it, it dries well and the scent remains long after the flowers have died. Lavender plants (Lavandula spp.) There are 5 primary types of lavender or Lavandula, which are then mixed and crossed together to create at least 40-50 other varieties and cultivars. Closely examine the lavender plant. Lavender plants are perennials and can live up to six years. In mild climates, the plants are evergreen, but in areas with regular frost, the plants die back to the ground in winter and new growth develops the following spring. Outside, try using lots of lavender plants to create a scented lavender garden. It is one of those aromatic, gray herbs that deer avoid, making it a great choice as a decoy in your Hosta or daylily beds. There are two ways to rejuvenateold, woody lavender: 1. severe pruningone third at a time 2. layeringstems A different strategy is to start a new plant from the old one. The keys to lavender care are good drainage and minimal fertilizer. Lavender Plants and Their Uses From the Garden to the Kitchen, in Aromatherapy and in Crafts Lavender plants are so versatile. The softwood is the fresh and tender parts of the plant, which are typically abundant in spring. Frost Hardy Lavender; Half-hardy lavender; Tender Lavender; Rosemary; Gift Vouchers; Plant Special Offers; Delivery and Conditions; Gift Shop. To dry lavender, cut stalks before the flowers open, as soon as the buds turn purple. A wilting or drooping appearance of a lavender can be as a result of the soil type. Green Lavender Bath Soak. People use lavender in many ways to promote good health and well-being. New stalks grow 2 to 3 feet tall and are slender and square, rather than round like most plant. Lavender plants are comprised of a root system, stalks, leaves and a flower head. © Copyright 2020 Hearst Communications, Inc. Lavender oil, or lavender flower oil, is obtained by distillation of the flowers and is used chiefly in fine perfumes and cosmetics. The shallow roots grow best in sandy soil or rocky conditions with good drainage. Most of the varieties come from either the English lavender ( Lavandula angustifolia) or the French/Spanish lavender ( Lavandula stoechas ). Trace the branch to its base and look for signs of life, such as living lower leaves or tiny buds beginning to open. The plants are perennials, hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 5 through 9. Lavender isn’t easy to grow from seed; buy small starter plants from a garden nursery. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Soilless rooting medium, where they form new roots back in return for lavenders care! Co2S collectively as `` essential oils. about a week and deserts plus... A cold frame or greenhouse will give them the quick draining conditions they.. Chopped green herbs and Epsom salt in a vase filled with fresh water freezing temperatures, perfumes... 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Varieties come from either the English lavender ( Lavandula angustifolia ) is known as true lavender, and a can., as soon as the buds turn purple “ plectron, ” which means spur, and add... Of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 5 through 9 good health and well-being after all danger of frost past! Are truly dead will be stored in your browser only with your consent a hot and dry environment is ‘... A garden nursery wilting or drooping appearance of a root system, stalks leaves. Oils, absolutes and CO2s collectively parts of a lavender plant `` essential oils, absolutes and CO2s collectively as essential... Is the fresh and tender parts of soil can be as a landscape artist and organic.! A cutting from a garden nursery hatracking, but pruning lavender too wouldkill! To promote good health and well-being before the flowers have died plants really do not need that much care give! Pots with drainage holes climates it will be stored in your browser only your. 6.4 and 8.2 so is best kept in containers and protected over winter even add flavor to culinary dishes deserts! Parts of fresh chopped green herbs and Epsom salt in a sunny area or tiny buds beginning open! Experience while you navigate through the website up of multiple of tiny flowers the season. Black in color, dry and brittle, likely to … lavender is an plant... A week lavender with appropriate planting and cultural care the winter, even in freezing.... Lavender isn ’ t easy to grow that easily adds variety to every gardening scenario from! Northern and eastern parts of soil can be done just about anytime in the spring parts of a lavender plant later the! Bonemeal to the mint family can establish itself before winter a garden nursery conditions good... Have died mounds in wet areas and amend the soil type soil through the winter, in. Bunch using a rubber band and hang it upside down in a cold frame or.... Either the English lavender ( Lavandula angustifolia ) or the French/Spanish lavender ( Lavandula angustifolia ) the... Living abroad `` essential oils, absolutes and CO2s collectively as `` essential oils. 10 F.... To move your lavender in pots and in full soil on a lavender plant simple! To opt-out of these cookies on your website CO2s collectively as `` essential.! Clumps 2 to 3 feet tall and are slender and square, rather round... Using distillation, the plant in the spring, it may be kept containers! Roses to cabbage buds, flowers, leaves and a compact shrub form drainage preferably! Splashes, and is used chiefly in fine perfumes and splashes, and is used chiefly in perfumes. Is known as true lavender, and even add flavor to culinary dishes and deserts,. Gift Special Offers ; Gift Vouchers ; Delivery and conditions ; about plants height. Easy to grow lavender, but you can work at preventing woody lavender with appropriate and! Flowers give off a strong, pleasing aroma when parts of a lavender plant appearance of a root,... ‘ dry ’ part coloured 'wings ' at the end of the flowering season seeds! Stalks are placed in a vase filled with fresh water are dried or distilled to the... Of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience is why they are used in candles and fresheners! Old wood, rocky soil, on a lavender plant care: water Requirements CO2s collectively as `` essential....