unlocking this expert answer. How to Grow Lavender in Containers The best way to plant and grow Lavender in containers or pots is to replicate the growing conditions that the plant loves. Where soils are strongly acidic, a dose of lime is beneficial. How to grow lavender – French lavender in pots Lavenders thrive in an open site in full sun in a well-drained, neutral to alkaline soil (got acid soil? If anything you may have to amend the soil to balance the nutrients with sand or gravel. Consider using a terra-cotta pot for growing lavender indoors. The most cost effective way to keep a supply of lavenders is to propagate them to produce your own, which is a very fulfilling garden project! Add just 2 or 3 ounces per cubic foot of soil. Dwarf varieties of French lavender are also considered the most appropriate plants for indoor potted lavenders as they are a modest size and therefore can fit on a sunny window sill and they can live comfortably at room temperature. pot (30-40 cm) will be perfect. She earned a BA in Environmental and Sustainability Studies from Western Michigan University in 2014. Propagating lavender from cuttings is relatively simple and much easier then trying to grow lavender from seeds, which requires a very specific sequence of changing conditions and has a lower success rate compared to propagating. To learn how to grow lavender indoors read my article for a full guide. French lavenders do not need fertilizer or feeding. Or, you can try taking a cutting from a mature plant. Colours include pink, rose, purple, white, plum, icy blue and musk. (For more information on the precautions to take read my article will French lavender survive winter). It blooms in late spring or early summer and flowers with shades of purple. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. A sunny spot is a great location to keep the soil from getting too wet and to add warmth. Clear away leaves or other organic material from around the lavender that may hold moisture. Plant French lavender in the sunniest place in your garden for best results, although they will grow with 6 hours of sun per day during the growing season. Lime is available online and from any good garden store. Always water with a generous soak for every lavender and make sure the surrounding soil is wet, but it also should drain very quickly and not hold onto the moisture. One easy tip to recognize the French variety is that its leaves are serrated. http://bonnieplants.com/growing/growing-lavender/, http://sunshinelavenderfarm.com/planting.php, http://www.sunset.com/garden/flowers-plants/guide-planting-care-harvesting-lavender, https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?pid=127, consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. This is significantly less time then English lavenders which can live up to 15 years with the right conditions. Chalk soils are ideal for growing French lavender as they have all the characteristics of the optimal soil type. Care for French lavender in winter by planting them in well draining soil and do not water them if they are left outside as wet soils in winter will cause fungal disease. The reason some people mistake French lavenders for annuals is that they grow them in a climate that is too cold for French lavender to survive winter and then have to replace the plant every year. The most important factor will be the climate. The added sand or gravel will increase drainage, improve soil structure and balance the fertility of the soil (as sand and gravel are relatively low in nutrients). French lavenders can vary in size depending on the specific cultivar and whether the lavender has optimal care and conditions. References Stick the lower end of the cutting about 2 inches into the soil and firm the soil so that the cutting stands up straight. The soil conditions for French lavender are: To replicate these conditions you will need to add some sand or gravel to your soil so that they make up at least 30% percent of the volume of the planting mix with the rest composed of organic soil. The same rules of pruning apply whether you trim your lavender at the start or the end of the growing season. If your soil is heavy, plant on a 20-30cm (8in-1ft) mound, ridge or in a raised bed where the roots will not sit in wet soil. For more information on this read my article on the optimal soil mix for lavenders. Avoid using a mulch of organic materials (such as compost or manure) as this will add to the fertility of the soil and retain more water which will to be the detriment of the lavender. Provide plenty of light while the plants are inside. Nitrogen based fertilizers will cause the plant to grow leggy with yellow foliage and produce fewer flowers. A fragrant and colorful plant native to Europe and Western Asia, lavender is a sun-loving flower best grown outdoors. If the growing conditions are ideal and the lavender is pruned every year, then French lavender can live for around 5 years. Water your lavender after planting, and then pull back on the water. If you are planting in a pot make sure that the pot is at least 16 inches across as this will contain enough soil to help insulate the roots from the colder temperatures. Pruning encourages healthy new growth to emerge. Rose leaves turn yellow and drop... Hey I'm Mark. The roots also need space to grow and access water and nutrients without being overwhelmed up competition from the roots of other plants. Select a good sandy potting mix that easily drains water and fill the pot three quarters full. Support wikiHow by Do not water in the winter if kept outdoors as this will keep the soil moist and increase chances of fungal disease. Bloom time is much longer though and lasts from early summer all the way to the fall. If the soil does not drain well, consider raised garden beds or pots. For French lavenders in pots, water till there is a trickle of water appearing through the drainage holes in the base of the pot. The more sun the more potential for flowering. Therefore you cannot grow French lavender outdoors if your climate experiences cold winters, however you can grow them outdoors in pots and move them indoors for winter protection. You could also choose to grow lavender in a pot or a raised bed, which allows you to control the soil's properties more carefully and tailor them to the lavender's needs. Your support helps wikiHow to create more in-depth illustrated articles and videos and to share our trusted brand of instructional content with millions of people all over the world. If you have acidic soil then it is a good idea to add some lime to the soil which has the effect of raising the soils pH from acidic to alkaline. The easiest way to do this is with a soil gauge from Amazon I personally use and does not require any technical knowledge, as it just gives a clear reading of the soils pH and it is available for a great price. Whether the plant will grow to its greatest potential size also depends on growing conditions. To dry lavender, cut stalks before the flowers open, as soon as the buds turn purple. If you are in a cold climate, plant French lavender in pots and move it indoors before the first frost for Winter protection. Depending on which type of lavender you keep and where you grow it, it can be grown as a perennial or annual flower. You can successfully prune French lavenders in the early Spring and in the Fall after flowering. Did you know you can read expert answers for this article? By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. Because French lavender is suited to warm climates and does not have to prepare for a cold winter with frost and snow, there is more freedom for the timing of your lavender planting. Always grow lavender in full sun -- spaces that receive at least eight to 10 hours of direct sunlight per day. If there has been significant rainfall since you last watered the lavender then delay watering for another few days and test to see if the surrounding soil is dry first. Winter is the time when lavender is more vulnerable to root rot and watering will only compound the problem. Do not water French lavender during winter. This will give the plant the opportunity for its roots to develop and establish in the new soil. French lavender is native to the countries of Southern Europe that are on the Mediterranean coast. I am not sure what to do with them, so I came on here to learn. Water. The porous clay pot sides lose moisture, which can help prevent root rot. Most French lavender varieties are hardy in USDA zones 7-11. Rooting hormone helps prevent the tip from rotting and encourages quick, strong root development, but lavender roots well without it. Annual pruning also encourages new stems to grow. French lavender grow very well in pots and containers. French Lavender thrives in Zones 7-9. Wait till after the plant has flowered and round the plant as this will prevent it from becoming leggy or splitting at the vulnerable woody base. Prune French lavenders once per year either in the early Spring or the Fall after the plant has flowered. Once established, lavender is a drought hardy plant. Ideal soil conditions for lavender. Spring is when the first flowers emerge usually in May or June and it can flowering into the Fall as late as September if the growing conditions are perfect. Lavender is a small shrub that usually grows 20 to 24 inches tall and wide. Pruning will extend the life of the plant and encourage more flowers. As with all lavender species and varieties, French lavender will not cope well in areas of persistent high humidity. Warm, dry climates are perfect for growing lavender. French lavender will attain enough moisture from the environment if left outdoors over winter. This helps to dry an moisture that could cause problems and reduces the chance of fungal disease. The plant itself has leaves that are a grayish-green color. Please consider making a contribution to wikiHow today. French Lavender is the best choice for growing Lavender inside and has lovely serrated leaves. Plant each lavender 2-3 feet apart to allow for airflow and space to grow. You can prune French lavender in the Fall in a warm climate that has a mild winter (between USDA zone 7-11) as the lavender is less susceptible to damage from the cold in these climates. The more sun the more potential for flowering. French lavender grows best in full sun, with high temperatures, low rainfall and infrequent watering, in well draining sandy soils, low humidity, low to medium fertility with a soil pH between 6.5-8. B) French Lavender Each group is unique in their growing and climate requirements, so pick the variety that’s best suited for your garden and needs. French lavender only live for 4 or 5 years even with good care. Lauren has worked for Aurora, Colorado managing the Water-Wise Garden at Aurora Municipal Center for the Water Conservation Department. 2-3 feet will give each plant the space it needs to grow and prevents lavender from casting shade on one another which will restrict flowering. This article has been viewed 49,092 times. hole in the bottom. This site is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Can I use weed barrier fabric around lavender? wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 49,092 times. This way French lavenders can survive winter if you are in a cold climate. Lavenders do not grow well in the shade and will not last long. It has hardiness zones between 8 and 11. Always grow in full sun. Lavender is a well known and fragrant plant with gray-green foliage, upright flower spikes, and a compact shrub form. Every day at wikiHow, we work hard to give you access to instructions and information that will help you live a better life, whether it's keeping you safer, healthier, or improving your well-being. French Lavender vs English Lavender - Varieties and How to Grow May 3, 2016 by Patti Estep 18 Comments Learn a little about the differences between French Lavender vs English lavender including a few of my favorite varieties. To grow a French lavender hedge, plant one stem every 12 to 16 inches (30 to 40 cm). For a good visual guide of what to do take a look at this YouTube video: Commercial lavender growers will plant French lavenders 2-3 feet apart. This is simply an adaptation to their native Mediterranean climate. They cope well with drought conditions and may suffer in wet, heavy soils, particularly over winter. Next, sprinkle composted manure or bone meal fertilizer in the hole and mix it with the soil. Lavender is easy to grow, easy to find at most nurseries, and can be found in purples, blues, pinks and whites. If you detect any moisture then refrain from watering for another week or so. It is important to prune ‘Provence’ annually to increase the longevity of the lavender and prevent it from turning woody. For more on how to care for potted lavender in winter read my article. If your soil isn't quite sandy enough, you can grow lavender in pots instead of a planting bed. French lavenders are perennial plants that live for several years. Please consider making a contribution to wikiHow today. Make sure it has at least a 1/2-in. This plant is a native of the Mediterranean region which is sunny, hot and dry. Last Updated: November 5, 2020 The lavender flowers may be used in baking and savory recipes, for crafts, or to. Use shallow seed trays and just barely cover the seeds with soil. French lavender is easy to grow … French lavender can grow to around two to three feet; English lavender has a stronger, more fragrant scent; French lavender remains in bloom for far longer, and smells faintly of rosemary; Both English and French lavender can conceivably be grown and cultivated indoors. This article cover all aspects of growing and caring for French lavender in the following sequence, so scroll down for more information on: The most important aspect when it comes to growing French lavender is know which climates it will grow in successfully. An essential oil made from its flowers is said to help calm the body and mind and when you apply it to a sprain or pain of any type, it can help to ease the suffering. This allows water to drain quickly so the roots are in cold wet soil. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/c\/ce\/Plant-Lavender-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Plant-Lavender-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/c\/ce\/Plant-Lavender-Step-1.jpg\/aid794130-v4-728px-Plant-Lavender-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"