How to Care for Lavender Plants: 5 Efficient Tips

Tips and tricks to grow plants are essential for the ones who love to have plants in their house. “How to care for lavender plants” is among many people’s most common questions. We have come up with this article to solve this query. 

1. What is Lavender?

Lavender is one of the most common plants found almost everywhere today. Lavandula is the botanical name of this plant, and it belongs to the mint family. It originates in the Mediterranean and is one of the most commonly found woody plants. Various species of the Lavender plant are located in the Middle East, the Mediterranean region, West Africa, North Africa, the Atlantic Islands and India. Most of these plants are found in dry soil. 

The leaves of the lavender plant are grey-green and are also evergreen. The fragrance of this plant is what makes it popular among the people. Different colours of lavender are available. These include different shades of purple. Some shades of pink and white lavender are also available in various places. 

Lavender is one of the most fragrant plants for relaxing and therapeutic purposes. The smell of lavender helps relieve stress and anxiety. It is also said that the scent of lavender helps boost good sleep. They are also used for making fragrance oils, perfumes and scented candles. 

2. Types of Lavender to Grow in Pots

2.1. English Lavender

Many different types of lavender can be used to plant in pots. English lavender is one of the most commonly used lavender for growing in pots. Lavender plants are hardy to USDA zones 5 to 9 and can generally withstand temperatures down to about -10 degrees F. In colder climates, cutting cuttings and growing them indoors over the winter is recommended to prevent outdoor plants from freezing. 

They have an average height of around 3 feet, which makes them ideal for growing in pots. Choose a dwarf variety of English lavender if you are willing to grow lavender in pots. This will not only help you in monitoring the plants but will also be much more manageable. 

2.2. French Lavender

French lavender is another widely used lavender to plant in pots apart from English Lavender. They are less hardy than the first type of lavender and, hence, are unsuitable for planting in all climatic conditions. Frost protection is one of the most important things to remember for these plants. 

French lavender can grow to a height of 1.5 metres and is quite bushy. Make sure always to trim and cut these plants to keep them clean. 

2.3. Spanish Lavender

Spanish lavender is also referred to as the French lavender at times. It is comparably more compact than the French lavender and is easier to manage. The plants have leaves like the rabbit ear in some of the cases. It is, therefore, referred to as the rabbit ear plant in some places.

Do not worry about the type of soil while planting this plant. They are tolerant to acidic soils and can be seen growing well in them. This is one of the most suitable varieties of lavender to grow in pots because it is compact and small. 

2.4. Portuguese Lavender

Portuguese lavender is another commonly found variety of lavender in the world. This variety of lavender is the best for growing in large pots or borders in gardens. The flower spikes of these plants are long and thick. These make them one of the best choices for ornamental purposes. 

Make sure to choose a shorter variety of these plants if you plan to plant them in pots. 

3. How to Care For Lavender Plants in Pots

There are a lot of things to keep in mind while choosing to plant lavender in pots. Some of the most important criteria are mentioned below: 

3.1. Choosing the Right Variety of Lavender

Choosing a suitable variant of lavender is one of the most important aspects of selecting to plant lavender. There are many different types of lavender available in the world. You will have to choose one according to your preferences and needs. 

Make sure to choose the right variety of lavender to have great results. Some lavender plants are more flowery, whereas some have a great smell. All these plants can be used for medicinal and other purposes. 

3.2. Choosing the Right Soil

Choosing a suitable variety of soil also plays a vital role when planting lavender. The quality of your plants also depends on the ground they are planted in. 

Some lavender plants require acidic soil, whereas some grow well in non-acidic soils. Some have more water retention, whereas some have low water retention. Choosing the suitable soil can work wonders for your plant. 

3.3. Selecting the Correct Fertilizer

Most lavender plants do not require fertilizers, but specific variants do. In this case, choosing the right fertilizer can also work wonders for your plant. If you are confused about which fertilizer to use, you can always contact an expert. 

But do not use the wrong fertilizers on plants. This will not only damage the quality of the plants but also lead to damage to the soil for future purposes. 

3.4. Taking Care of the Temperature of Growth

Not all lavender plants can grow in all climate regions. Therefore, it is important to choose a plant that can grow well in the climatic conditions of your area. 

Doing a bit of research before buying the plants is advisable. 

3.5. Watering the Plants at Regular Intervals

Like any other plant, watering is one of the best ways to care for your plants. Different types of lavender plants are available. Some require less water, whereas some require more water to survive. 

Make sure you water the plant adequately. More or less water might destroy the overall well-being of the plant. 

4. Tips to Plant Lavender in Pots

• Choose a pot that has adequate drainage holes.
• Pots prevent the plants from being in puddles.
• Adding broken pieces of terracotta pots and extra gravel also increases the drainage system of the pots.
• Choose the adequate soil for your plant.
• Bring the right fertilizer that suits your plant best.
• Pour more compost into the pot if you find empty spaces.
• Make sure to water the plant thoroughly to keep it in an excellent growing state.
  

5. How Much Water is Adequate for Lavender Plants

It is essential to know the amount of water required for your plants. Overwater can reduce the quality of most of the plants. Ensure the pot you use to plant your lavender has enough drainage holes. This will help in draining out the excess water from the pots. 

Watering the plant very little is also harmful to the flowering plant. Very little water only makes the surface of the soil moist. This makes the plant more vulnerable to drought conditions. 

Therefore, it is advised to water the plant in adequate amounts so the water can reach the roots. It will keep the entire soil moist, and the roots can soak in water as required. 

Also, avoid excess watering as it may form a humid climate. This type of condition is not suitable for the overall well-being of the plant. 

6. Conclusion

These are all the information one requires to silence their thoughts on how to care for lavender plants. Make sure to keep these things in mind whenever you plan to bring a lavender home. 

Choose suitable soil, the right temperature and the right fertilizer. Keeping these in mind will help your flower bloom! Happy gardening!