Lavender (Lavandula spp.) is a valuable addition to any garden. It grows nicely in borders and pots, as well as in herb, flower, and rock gardens. Its strong fragrance and lovely blossoms draw in bees, butterflies, and pollinators.
There are many different species and cultivars of lavender, but it’s not always clear which one to use. Here are some expert growing guidelines for lavender in pots, along with suggestions for the ideal kind.
Choose a Quality Pot
Firstly, ascertain the size of the container that you have available. A 12-inch-diameter container is a minimum requirement for lavender. For transportation and future growth, a 16–24″ container is the perfect size.
Ceramic, terracotta, and clay pots are the greatest materials. Since lavender may live for five or more years in a container, you must ensure your pot has a natural resistance to weather damage.
Last but not least, make sure the drainage hole in your container is at least 2 inches wide. This plant prefers fast filtration, so big drainage holes work best. Steer clear of pots that have attached saucers or “self-watering” features. This will reduce the amount of drainage, which could result in root rot or reduced growth.
Select a Dwarf Variety
There is a large assortment of lavender varieties available. Technically, you can grow any variety in a pot and prune it to the shape you want. Dwarf cultivars, on the other hand, are deliberately selected because of their compact growth, which produces a high flowering rate in a small amount of space.
The cold-hardy English lavender (Lavandula angustifolia), if you reside in a cold environment, may withstand temperatures as low as -30°F when it is dormant. It could be well protected in a big, heavy terracotta container. Many gardeners in zones 3 and 4 keep their plants in containers and bring them inside for the winter.
English varieties including “Blue Cushion,” “Thumbelina Leigh,” “SuperBlue,” and “Betty’s Blue” are resilient yet small. The majority of plants are only 12 to 15 inches tall on average, and they bloom heavily all growing season long.
Use a Well-Drained Soil Mix
The Mediterranean climate is natural for lavender, which grows well on sandy or gravelly soil that drains well. This becomes especially crucial in a container that is prone to water build-up or saturation. Fill your pot with the best-performing soil mixture that drains well.
Lavender also prefers soil that is fairly alkaline and low in richness. Add one tablespoon of lime to each pot to adjust the pH. Steer clear of potting mixes that have received fertilizer treatment.
Prune and Transplant
Starting lavender from a seed, cutting, or little plant that you bought from a nursery is required; it needs to be placed in a brand-new pot and let a year or two mature.
It is necessary to slice larger seedlings—six inches or more—before transferring them to a new container. You can relocate smaller seedlings precisely as they are. Eliminate approximately one-third of the green plant material with sterile shears or pruners.
Pre-transplanting pruning will help the plant focus its energy on establishing roots in its new container. To start planting, put your soil mixture in your container about halfway full, then set the plant in the middle.
Fill the bottom drainage hole with water, and then fill it from the top until it overflows. This first deep watering ensures that the lavender may start spreading its roots into the pot.
Keep in a Warm, Sunny Area
A pot of lavender requires as much sunlight as possible. This herb can withstand lengthy days with eight or more hours of direct, intense sunshine because it is endemic to the bright, exposed Mediterranean slopes.
In the autumn, you can trim back around one-third of the new growth and bring it inside to a sunroom, uninsulated greenhouse, or sunny window. If grown in pots outdoors and kept in a shady area throughout the winter, cold-hardy English lavender cultivars and certain hybrids can be kept outdoors in zones 5 and higher.
Conversely, gardeners in southern subtropical regions might like keeping their English lavender outdoors throughout the winter and moving it to a cooler, brighter windowsill in the summer when temperatures rise. If you choose heat-resistant Spanish lavender, you might not need to do this.
Also Read: Lavender Companion Plants
Water Sparingly
You must use caution when watering lavender plants grown in containers, regardless of the season. It can naturally tolerate droughts, but it favours dry soil. Even when potted plants have elevated roots to aid in drainage, overwatering can still be a problem.
This can require watering as little as once every few weeks or more, depending on the humidity. Using a clean finger, pierce the soil 4-6 inches deep to measure the moisture content.
Fill a watering can to the brim with lavender. Try not to pour water directly onto the head of the pot; instead, distribute it around it. The plant will no longer be thirsty after water starts to emerge from the bottom drainage hole. Remember to water your plants less during the winter.
Proper Air’s Circulation
For healthy growth and to guard against fungal illness, all lavender needs brisk airflow. These little plants are particularly vulnerable to stagnant air because of their compact size and indoor location. Regular pruning is the simplest technique to maintain airflow through their leaves.
This may cause a minor delay in flowering, but in the long run, it helps the plant become more vigorous and healthy. It also allows you to create a more aesthetically pleasing presentation by shaping your lavender plant into a ball or cone.
After the final bloom flush fades, the second trimming takes place in the autumn. If you take care to avoid the woody parts, you can trim back to about an inch above the crown. This aids in getting the plant ready for its winter hibernation.
Conclusion
It’s as simple to grow lavender in a container as it is in a garden. It requires lots of warmth, sunshine, and drainage. Select a small variety based on your preferred style and climate. Do not forget to select the appropriate earthen pot and fill it with an extremely well-drained soil mixture.
It can be moved outside in the summer, moved inside to a cold position for the winter, then moved outside again in the spring. For best air movement, don’t overwater, and remember to trim in the spring and autumn.