How to Grow Lavander

Lavender is a fragrant and beautiful herb grown in many herb gardens. It is a member of the mint family and includes 39 species of flowering plants. Its native range spreads across the north and east Canary Islands, Africa, Southern Europe, the Mediterranean region, Arabia, and India.

Among its species, the most commonly cultivated species is the English lavender, or Lavandula angustifolia. Its two most popular varieties are “Munstead,” which has lilac-colored flowers and “Hidcote,” which has deep purple-blue flowers.

Lavender flowers have been used for thousands of years in herbalism. Its fragrant oil is used in salves, balms, perfumes, cosmetics, and bath products.

In addition, its buds are used to flavor baked goods, desserts, and herbal teas. It is also known to have antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties. Its flowers are a favorite among honey makers as its flowers yield abundant nectar that produces high quality honey.

Lavender is a sturdy plant that is easy to care for. Here are a few basic guidelines when growing this fragrant herb.

Plant Requirements

1. The sturdy varieties of lavender are best planted outdoors as it grows well in full sun.
2. The tender varieties, including the Spanish lavender, French lavender, Spiked lavender, and Downy lavender are best grown outside in pots in summer and brought indoors in a bright windowsill in the winter.
3. Lavender likes loose, well-drained soil. Small amounts of compost should be added to the soil to keep it from getting heavy. Sand, perlite, or vermiculite can be added to aid in drainage.
4. Lavender thrives in alkaline soil. You may have your soil tested and add lime if it is too acidic.

Steps to Grow Lavander

1. Propagation

   There are two ways to propagate lavender.

   • Cutting

     a) Take cuttings from a mature plant in spring or autumn.
     b) Select a 6-inch non-flowering young shoot.
     c) Grasp the tip and gently pull it down to break it off from the plant. Make sure that the cutting should have some of the “heal” of the mother plant.
     d) Trim off the leaves from the bottom half before dipping it in a growth hormone.
     e) Plant the cutting in a pot with light, sandy compost.
     f) Keep it moist and out of the sun while you wait for the cutting to root.
     g) Keep the temperature at around 70º Fahrenheit.
     h) Transfer the cutting to a pot or to the garden when the roots have formed. Do the transfer in the fall or before frost comes.
     i) Add mulch in the winter for protection.

   • Layeringa) Layering is best done in the spring.
     b) Select an outside branch and gently bend it to the ground.
     c) Leave about 6 inches of growing leaves on its growing tip.
     d) Slightly wound the area where you want roots to grow.
     e) Pin that area into the ground with a stone or a wooden peg.
     f) Cover it with soil.
     g) Stake the remaining branch to keep it upright.
     h) Cut the rooted stem off from the mother plant and replant it.
2. Planting
   • Lavender may be planted solely for its dome-shaped habit to be fully appreciated.
   • Lavender may also be planted as a hedge. Hedges provide 2 to 3 months of color in the summer and attractive foliage throughout the year. When growing a hedge, plant them in a row with 9 to 12 inches of space from each plant.
3. Taking Care of Lavender
   • Lavender is moderately drought tolerant. It is recommended to water it when the soil is dry to the touch.
   • Lavender benefits from pruning. Prune some of the older branches after blooming.
   • Prune lightly in spring or fall.
   • Use well decomposed manure as fertilizer. Take care not to add too much to keep the soil from getting heavy.
4. Harvesting and Storing Blooms
   • Lavender flowers should be harvested when the bottom third of the flower spike is in bloom. Wait until the morning dew has dried and it’s a dry day before harvesting.
   • Dry the flowers by leaving it standing up in a vase, bunched up together and hung upside down, or on a screen laying flat. Keep the flowers away from direct sunlight while drying;
   • Store the dried blooms in a glass container in dim area.