Are you looking for a new houseplant?
Lavender is native to Europe and the Mediterranean, but it can be grown in a variety of different zones and climates. It isn’t a traditional houseplant, but that doesn’t mean you can’t succeed. With enough love and attention, you’ll have a thriving, delicious-smelling lavender plant growing in your home before you know it.
You don’t have time for complicated instructions that take hours of research before planting your new plant – we’ve done all the work for you! Our website has everything you need about growing your own lavender including instructions on how long each plant should be grown at home as well as tips on how best to care for them throughout their lives. And if anything goes wrong, there’s always someone around who knows what they’re doing.
Lavender (Lavandula species)
When is the Best Time of the Year to Plant Lavender
The best time to plant out your lavender plants is in the middle of either April or May, depending on how long you’re happy to wait for them to grow. If you plant them out too early, they may be susceptible to cold weather damage; but if you wait too long, the plants may become harder to establish. In addition, lavender plants grow best when they are planted in full sun (though they will tolerate partial shade).
Where in the Garden Should You Plant Lavender
lavender plants like dry, well-drained soil, so make sure to amend your garden bed accordingly before planting. If you live in a particularly cold climate, you can also try growing lavender in a pot and bringing it inside during the winter. If you’re not sure where to start, here are a few tips on how to plant lavender in your garden:
When planting lavender, it’s important to make sure that the roots have plenty of room to grow. Dig a hole that is twice as wide as the width of the pot and just as deep. Carefully remove the plant from the pot and loosen the soil around the roots. Then, backfill the hole with soil, making sure to tamp it down gently.
If you’re planting lavender in a new garden bed, make sure to add some organic matter to the soil to help improve drainage. You can do this by adding a few inches of compost, manure, or shredded leaves to the bed before planting.
Lavender does best in full sun, so make sure to plant it in an area that gets plenty of direct sunlight.
How Often Should I Watering Lavender
While there are a million and one different opinions on how often you should water your lavender, the rule of thumb is to water at least once a month from April or May through October. The first year you plant lavender, make sure to water it more often. In the second year, give your lavender a good soak once a month. Once you’re into the third year, if conditions are ideal (i.e., not super hot and dry), you should be able to get away with watering once every two months or so during the growing season.
One thing that differs between people is whether they like to water in the morning or at night. The general consensus seems to be that watering at night is better for the plant (and it’s good for the soil, too). However, if you don’t have time to wait for an overnight soak, then go ahead and water during the day.
Just make sure to avoid watering when it’s hot and sunny out, as this can cause the water to evaporate quickly and not reach the roots. Also, if you’re going on vacation, make sure to ask a neighbor or friend to water your lavender for you.
Since lavender is drought tolerant, it can go some time without water, but it will suffer. The more you stress the lavender plant, by withholding water for extended periods of time, the less fragrant it will be; and if you over-water your plants, they’ll rot. So only water when necessary.
When and How to Harvest Lavender
Lavender can be harvested at any time of year. It’s best to wait until after the flowers have bloomed so that you can get the most potent oils from the plant.
There are two ways to harvest lavender: cutting and pinching. To cut the plant, use a pair of shears to snip the stems about three inches from the ground. Layout the stems on newspapers in a single layer so that their essential oils can fully dry. It is recommended that you wait 2-3 weeks before removing the flowers from the stems.
To pinch the plant, use your fingers to pluck off the flowers. This is a quicker harvesting method, but it results in less potent oils. The flowers can be used fresh or dried. To dry them, lay them out in a single layer on newspapers or hang them upside down in a dark, dry area. Do not let the flowers sit around too long after they’ve been picked because their oils will dissipate.
Different Ways to Store Lavender
Lavender is a beautiful flower that can be used in a variety of ways. One of the best ways to store lavender is by drying it. You can either dry it in a dehydrator or in the sun. After it is dried, you can store it in an airtight container.
Another way to store lavender is by freezing it. You can either chop it up and freeze it in an ice cube tray or freeze the whole flower. Freezing lavender will help to preserve its flavor and aroma.
Finally, you can also store lavender by using essential oils. Essential oils are a great way to keep lavender fresh for a long time. You can either put the essential oil in a spray bottle or apply it directly to the skin.
No matter how you choose to store lavender, it is sure to keep its beauty and aroma for a long time. Try using different methods to see which one works best for you.
Other Things of Interest About Lavender
- Lavender is a flowering plant in the genus Lavandula of the Lamiaceae family.
- It produces an edible purple or pinkish-purple flower and is widely cultivated for its sweet, distinctive fragrance.
- The flowers and leaves are used to produce lavender essential oil, which typically has a more intense color, aroma, and flavor than the less refined extract.
- Chocolate contains some lavender so if you love chocolate you can get double use out of it by adding it to your ice cream every now and time!
- Lavender grows well in pots.
- The flowers are edible and can be used in salads or to flavor desserts, drinks, etc.
- It is an aromatic plant that can help when relieving stress and depression. It can also help relieve migraines. Source
- It can be used as a fabric softener.
Conclusion: Now you have a better idea of how to grow Lavender. Make sure you give your plant plenty of love and attention, and it will thrive in your home. Not only will it look beautiful, but it will also smell delicious.