To keep your potted lavender blooming, there are several steps that you can take. First and foremost, make sure your lavender plants are getting plenty of sunlight. Your potted lavender should be exposed to six to eight hours of direct sunlight during the peak of the day, as this will give them the energy and strength they need to produce blooms.
You should also keep the soil moist but not overly wet, as too much moisture can lead to root rot. When it’s time to water your lavender, do so early in the morning to allow the foliage plenty of time to dry before nightfall.
During the winter months, the plants may not need to be watered as frequently. Additionally, you should regularly remove any flowers that start to fade and give your plants regular, light fertilizer.
Deadheading spent blooms is essential for giving the plant the energy to create new flowers, as is removing any weeds or other debris near your plant. With regular care and maintenance, your lavender plant should be able to continue blooming for many weeks or months.
Should potted lavender be cut back?
Yes, it is important to regularly cut back potted lavender plants. Pruning helps the plants grow strong and healthy and prevents them from becoming overgrown. It also helps to keep the compact, mounding shape that is characteristic of lavender.
While the plants are actively growing in the spring or summer, trimming the foliage down by about one-third encourages new growth and flowering. Deadheading—or snipping off the flower spikes after they have finished blooming—will encourage more flowers and a more compact, bushy shape.
If any stems become leggy with long internodes, it is recommended to trim these branches back to just above a healthy leaf node. Lavender responds well to pruning and can be pruned heavily if necessary.
On established plants, it is best to prune in late winter or early spring.
Can lavender plants survive in pots?
Yes, lavender plants can survive in pots. In fact, lavender is one of the few plants that can survive in a pot as it requires very little water and thrive in dry climates. When choosing a pot for your lavender plant, make sure that the container you choose is deep and wide enough to allow for proper drainage.
It’s best to use a pot or planter with drainage holes, to ensure the soil does not become over-saturated. The size of your pot will depend on the variety of lavender you are looking to grow. If you choose a smaller variety, you will be able to get away with a smaller pot, but with a larger variety, you may need to use a larger container.
Additionally, it is important to use a potting mix specifically marketed for use with lavender plants. This mix should be well draining, yet able to retain moisture when watered. When potting your plant, add some gravel or pebbles to the bottom of the pot to provide better drainage.
Once the lavender plants are planted, be sure to water them deeply. Lavender plants prefer dry, warm soils and need to be watered deeply on a regular basis. Finally, lavender plants need plenty of sunshine to do its best, so place the pot outside in either a sunny or partially shady spot.
Will potted lavender come back every year?
It depends on the type of lavender you have. Some types of lavender (such as English, Spanish, and French) can be perennial in mild climates and could come back each year if cared for properly, while others (like Lavandin) may be annual and will not return.
Proper care of your potted lavender involves protecting the lavender from frost in the winter and providing plenty of sunlight, nutrition and well-draining soil during the growing season. In colder climates, however, the best bet may be to grow lavender in containers that you can bring indoors during the winter.
With the right care, you can enjoy fragrant lavender blooms year after year.
Should I bring my potted lavender inside for the winter?
It depends on the variety of lavender you have and the climate where you live. Generally speaking, lavender doesn’t survive temperatures lower than 40 degrees Fahrenheit (-4 degrees Celsius). If your lavender is a hardy variety, such as English lavender, it can survive temperatures down to 0 degrees Fahrenheit (-18 degrees Celsius).
Additionally, if temperatures where you live are rarely freezing, it’s possible that you can leave it outdoors in a sheltered area during the winter, as lavender prefers full sun and dry, low-humidity climates.
If you live in an area with cold winters or you have a less hardy variety of lavender, it’s best to bring it indoors for the winter. Make sure there is plenty of light and ventilation. Also, the soil should not be kept overly wet, since lavender does not do well in moist climates.
It’s also a good idea to keep the lavender away from heaters, which can dry out the foliage. Finally, ensure the potting soil is light and drains well.
Ultimately, the decision to bring your potted lavender inside for the winter should depend on the variety of lavender you have and the climate where you live.
Can English lavender survive winter?
Yes, English lavender is an herbaceous perennial that can survive winter in most climates. It is hardy down to USDA hardiness zone 5, although some types of English lavender can survive in colder zones.
English lavender can survive both wet and dry winters, but it does not tolerate cold winds or frost. To help the lavender survive the winter, it is best planted in well-draining soil in an area with full sun and protection from cold winter winds.
Mulching the lavender with straw or pine needles over the winter will also help insulate the soil and protect the roots from extreme temperature swings. Additionally, watering the lavender lightly at least once a month during the winter months will help reduce stress on the plant and ensure healthy growth in the spring.
How do you revive lavender plants after winter?
Reviving lavender in the spring after a long winter can be done fairly easily. First, make sure to start cutting it back early in the spring to promote new growth. This can be done using garden shears.
Next, give the plant a good dose of fertilizer to help it recover after the winter. Use a fertilizer that has a good ratio of nitrogen to phosphorous, which will give the plant the nutrients it needs to start growing again.
After that, check the soil pH and make any adjustments as needed to make sure it’s in the ideal range for lavender. The ideal range is from 6.5 to 8.0. Finally, always make sure the soil is moist but not soggy.
Lavender needs about 1-2 inches of water a week and it’s important not to over-water it or let the soil get too dry. By taking these steps, you can easily revive your lavender plants each spring.
Will dead lavender grow back?
No, once a lavender plant is dead, it cannot grow back. Lavender is a perennial plant, meaning it will last for more than two years, but it must be properly cared for in order to keep it alive. Without water, sunlight and nutrition, lavender will not survive and it cannot be revived once it has died.
If your lavender plant has died, it is best to remove it from the area and replace it with a new lavender plant.
What do you do with lavender before winter?
Before winter, it is important to properly prepare lavender so that it can survive the cold weather. To do this, begin by trimming any dead or damaged stems and leaves to promote healthier growth in the spring.
Once the lavender has been trimmed, move it to a sunny location so it can soak up as much sun as possible in the months before winter. Once the plants are in their new location, feed them with a balanced fertilizer to ensure the lavender is well-nourished before the cold weather sets in.
Also, make sure to water the lavender deeply once every week so the plants have a healthy supply of moisture before winter. Finally, begin gradually acclimating the lavender to cooler temperatures by exposing it to the outdoor ventilation for an hour more every day.
Once the plants are fully acclimated to the cooler weather, cover them with mulch or straw to insulate the roots. This will help the lavender survive winter and have a healthy start to the new growing season.
Can I cut lavender back to the ground?
Yes, you can absolutely cut lavender back to the ground. This is a process known as “dead-heading. ” Dead-heading removes the flower spikes, so it is generally done when the flowers are dying or when you want to refresh the look of the lavender bush.
This is best done in the late spring or early summer, just after flowering has finished. Before you dead-head the lavender, grab some pruning shears or scissors and sterilize them with rubbing alcohol or a mixture of one part bleach to 10 parts water.
You want to avoid transferring any disease or bacteria to the plant as you prune it. Once you have done this, cut the flower spikes back to the foliage. If the foliage is woody or there is no foliage left, you can cut all the way down to just above the soil.
Cutting the plant back to the ground will not cause damage, but it will delay flowering. The lavender needs time to “rest” and regrow back to its full-sized flower spikes. Make sure to give it plenty of light and water during this regrowth period.
Does lavender do good in pots?
Yes, lavender can do very well in pots. It is well suited to container planting due to its low water needs and its ability to tolerate cooler temperatures and partial shade. When choosing a pot for lavender, make sure that the pot is at least 12 inches (30 cm) in diameter and 8-12 inches (20-30 cm) deep, and that it has good drainage holes at the bottom.
Place a layer of broken pots or stones at the bottom of the pot to aid in drainage. Use a fast-draining potting soil suited to cactus and succulents. Position the pot in a sunny location–preferably in a spot that gets a minimum of 6 hours of sunlight a day.
Watering requirements for lavender in pots are low; just keep the soil slightly moist, but not wet. Feed your lavender about once a month with a balanced liquid fertilizer. And lastly, remember that lavender can not overwinter in a pot, so unless you want to bring it indoors for the winter, it’s best to replant it in the ground in a cold-hardy location.
Does lavender flower twice?
Yes, lavender typically flowers multiple times per season. Depending on the species, it may flower two to three times a year, and in some cases, it even has a fourth flowering. Most lavenders are generally spring-flowering, with a second flowering during the summer.
The spring flush will often last until July or August, followed by a period of dormancy, before the repeat flowering in late summer or early autumn. In many climates, this second flowering can give a lovely display of scent and colour late in the year, making lavender a valuable garden perennial.
In optimal conditions, the cycle can be repeated year after year, providing a reliable source of colour, scent, and enjoyment throughout the season.
How long do lavender plants live?
Most varieties of lavender are quite hardy and can live for many years in the right conditions. In fact, mature plants may even last decades! Lavender prefers a sunny and dry environment, and should be planted in well-draining, sandy soil.
It is important to prune the plants back to keep them healthy, and to remove any dead or diseased stems. Additionally, lavender requires plenty of water and should be watered deeply but infrequently—once every two weeks during the growing season and once a month during the winter months should suffice.
With proper care and maintenance, it is certainly possible for a lavender plant to live for 10 to 20 years.
How often do you water lavender in pots?
The frequency at which you should water lavender in pots largely depends on the pot type and conditions of your climate. In general, lavender prefers to remain on the dry side and should be watered sparingly.
During the summer months, when temperatures are high, lavender in pots may need watered every 5-7 days, but if the soil is more on the sandy side, then water more frequently. If you’re uncertain as to when to water, it is best to check the soil instead of relying on a watering schedule.
Stick your finger in the soil and if the top inch of soil is dry, then water until the soil is damp. During winter, when temperatures are cooler, you may only need to water lavender every 10-14 days or even less often.
Reducing the frequency of your watering during colder winter months can help prevent root rot.
Should you deadhead lavender?
Yes, it is beneficial to deadhead lavender as it stimulates new growth, allowing for bushier, more productive plants as well as helping to keep the overall shape and size of the plant. Deadheading also helps to control how much the plant reseeds itself in the garden.
When deadheading, it is important to wait until the blooms have withered and then simply remove the flower heads and stems. You can deadhead lavender either before or after they have gone to seed, whichever is most convenient for you.
Additionally, if you are growing lavender specifically for its oil, it is important to deadhead the flowers so that the nutrient and energy goes into the development of the leaves instead of flowers and seed.
Lavender should also be pruned to maintain shape and size as soon as it finishes flowering and regular pruning encourages new growth, branching, and bushy growth.
Can you grow lavender in large pots?
Yes, lavender can be grown in large pots. The key is to choose ample-sized containers, use a well-drained potting mix, and provide regular watering and good sunlight. Choose a pot that is at least 12″ wide and 12″ deep and place it in a sunny location.
Make sure the pot has plenty of drainage holes in the bottom and use a good quality potting mix that drains well and retains moisture. Water your lavender regularly and add a liquid fertilizer every few weeks during the growing season.
With ample sunlight, regular water, and fertilizer, your lavender should thrive in the pot.
When should I plant potted lavender?
Potted lavender is best planted in late spring, after all danger of frost has passed. Before planting, thoroughly water the pot and fill the container with potting soil. Make sure the soil is well-draining and enriched with aged compost.
Position the plant in a sunny area, and water regularly to keep the soil evenly moist (but not soggy). Take care to avoid overwatering and ensure the drainage is adequate. Once the plant is established and the weather starts to warm up, you can move it outdoors to a sunny spot with good air circulation.
Be sure to cover the plant during cold winter months.
Is French or English lavender better?
The answer to this question largely depends on the purpose for which you want to use the lavender. Generally speaking, French lavender is considered to be of higher quality and has a more intense fragrance, so French lavender may be the better choice if you are looking for something to use in aromatherapy or natural remedies.
On the other hand, English lavender tends to be less fragrant, making it better for use in soaps, candles, and other uses where you don’t need a strong fragrance. Additionally, English lavender is better in cooked and baked recipes because it holds up to heat better than French lavender.
Another important difference between French and English lavender is the way they look. French lavender usually has a paler and lighter bloom while English lavender has a darker and robust bloom. Ultimately, the better choice between French and English lavender comes down to your intended purpose and preference in terms of appearance.
Which variety of lavender is best?
The variety of lavender that is best will largely depend on the purpose for which you wish to use it. For culinary purposes, the Munstead variety may be best as it is thought to have the best flavour.
For non-culinary uses, the Lavandula x intermedia Grosso is often the preferred variety. This variety can be grown in a range of climates and survives through cold winters. It is well known for its strong scent and is often grown to be used as an essential oil or in sachets, potpourris, and scented candles.
The Dwarf Blue variety is a great option for gardeners who want a low-maintenance plant, as it doesn’t need much to thrive. Lastly, Lavandula stoechas is an ornamental type of lavender that is suitable for dry, sunny areas.
Its flowers have a distinct shape and can range from light to dark purple color.
What happens if you don’t prune lavender?
If you don’t prune lavender, the plant will become overgrown and the stems will become weaker and less capable of producing flowers. Without regular pruning, the stems and foliage can become overly dense and the stems will become more vulnerable to disease and pests.
Additionally, the overall lavender flowers will reduce significantly, as the plant will be unable to produce new flowers due to its overgrown foliage and weakened stems. Without pruning, the lavender plant may also succumb to issues such as poor drainage and lack of sunlight, as it’s unable to receive the necessary amounts of both when overgrown.
Lastly, without pruning, the lavender plant won’t be as aesthetically pleasing, as it won’t have an attractive uniform look.