Should you’ve ever questioned the best way to develop lavender plant, you will be shocked how straightforward it’s. All lavender varieties want full solar and a sandy, well-drained soil. Lavender grows properly in a container indoors and out.
Recognized botanically as Lavandula, this fantastically scented plant consists of many species.
Lavandula angustifolia provides a number of cultivars that make good home crops. ‘Hidcote’ lavender is a compact plant with wealthy purple blooms, and ‘Munstead Dwarf’ is a prolific bloomer that solely reaches 1 ft (30 cm) tall. ‘Alba Nana’ is much more compact, rising to 6-12 in (15-30 cm) excessive and is a uncommon white-flowered selection.
Makes use of of Lavender
Lavender will get its identify from the Latin phrase lavare, which suggests to clean. In historical instances, Romans used the fragrant herb to scent their bathwater.
Lavender’s intoxicating perfume has made this herb a favourite for perfumes and lavender sachets for hundreds of years. Pure lavender oil is utilized in aromatherapy merchandise reminiscent of candles, pot pourri and soaps. Its soothing scent has a calming impact. Lavender crafts reminiscent of wreaths or different dried flower preparations are cherished for his or her aroma as a lot as their magnificence.
Do you know…
Dried lavender flower buds are one of many elements in herbes de Provence, a well-liked herb combine used for cooking.
Types of Lavender
L. x intermedia are hybrids of L. angustifolia and L. latifolia, that includes violet-blue flowers. ‘Twickle Purple’ is an exquisite, dark-purple cultivar with heavy perfume. ‘Hidcote’ is compact, reaching 16 in (40 cm), very best for a container.
French lavender (L. dentata) has finely toothed, grayish-green foliage and pale purple blooms.
Spanish lavender (L. stoechas), proven beneath, is a species that includes quick, thick spikes of deep violet flowers topped with lengthy bracts.
Numerous varieties can be found, however the fundamentals for the best way to develop lavender are the identical for all. Present loads of sunshine and hold the soil on the dry facet.
Lavender Plant Care
There isn’t any trick to discover ways to develop lavender. Nonetheless, rising lavender plant indoors is usually a problem if you do not have a sunny spot for it.
Native to the Mediterranean, this sun-loving herb wants as a lot direct gentle as doable. It could tolerate a variety of temperatures, so transferring it open air for the summer season could also be your only option. Don’t be concerned about placing it on a sizzling porch or patio — it may take the warmth. Simply carry it again indoors for the winter. Most lavender varieties usually are not cold-hardy.
Pruning lavender will hold the plant compact. Minimize the plant again by half after the flowering season is over.
Lavender harvesting tip: If you wish to protect the plant for drying, collect lavender simply after the flowers open. Minimize flower stems on the base.
Methods to Dry Lavender
Minimize off the stems as quickly because the flowers are totally open, leaving a stem size appropriate for a vase, wreath, or no matter flower association you select. Use a darkish, dry, ethereal room for quick drying. Tie the stems in small bunches, then hold the stems the other way up whereas drying to forestall them from bending.
It is going to take a few week for the flowers to utterly dry.
Methods to Develop Lavender Indoors
Origin: Mediterranean
Peak: 1-3 ft (30-90 cm), relying on selection
Mild: Full solar. Flip plant for even development as a result of it is going to are inclined to develop towards the sunshine supply. Rising lavender plant open air within the heat months will give it the daylight it wants.
Water: Water completely spring by fall, permitting the soil to dry out barely between waterings. In winter, water sparingly. Use a pot with a drainage gap to forestall soggy potting medium, which might result in root rot.
Humidity: Common room (round 40% relative humidity).
Temperature: Common room temperatures 60-80°F/16-27°C. English lavender (L. angustifolia) is chilly hardy to USDA Zone 5. Different lavender varieties usually are not cold-hardy. They do, nonetheless, make wonderful container crops and may be introduced indoors for the winter.
Soil: Use a well-drained potting combine reminiscent of 2 components all-purpose potting combine and 1 half sand. Lavender would not like heavy, poorly drained soil, which might trigger root rot.
Fertilizer: Feed each 2 weeks spring by fall with a 10-20-20 liquid fertilizer diluted by half.
Propagation: Take 3-4 in (7-10 cm) stem cuttings in spring and place in moist potting combine. Pinch off the flowers the primary yr to encourage sturdy development of the plant. Propagating lavender from seed is normally tough, nonetheless, one selection L. angustifolia ‘Girl’ is simple to start out from seed and can bloom the primary yr. Methods to develop lavender from seed: Sow in spring, simply barely masking the seeds with well-drained soil. Place in full solar.