Introducing the Lavender Plant!
Welcome to the genus lavandula! There are about 47 different species of lavender out there, but all of them are part of the mint (lamiaceae) botanical family, making them cousins with other herbs like rosemary, sage, basil, and thyme.
You’ve heard of lavender before, and chances are that you already have some form of it in your house! They go into makes teas, essential oil, they’re used as a garnish for sweet dishes, and they have all sorts of calming and soothing effects.
Luckily for us gardeners, lavender is surprisingly easy to grow indoors! This article will go through everything that you need to know about lavender before teaching you the tricks of growing lavender indoors!
What does Lavender Look Like?
With so many different species of lavender growing wild out there, they are bound to have some variations. This is a fast growing plant that can grow as a low growing subshrub of 30 inches, or as a herbaceous perennial shrub of over 4 feet.
The leaf shape will also vary according to the species, but lavender foliage is usually quite small and grows all along the long stems of the plant. Some are simple, some are pinnately toothed, some are deeply lobed.
Lavender leaves are usually gray/green in color and are covered in tiny hairs. Usually the more hairs a lavender leaf has, the more fragrant it will be.
Accompanying these leaves are tiny flowers. Lavender flowers are borne in whorls of very small flowers. Each lavender flower spike is held high above the foliage, and a lavender flower can be blue, lilac, white, pink, and sometimes even yellow!
Where do Lavender Plants Come From?
Lavender is a Mediterranean herb and it be cultivated there for thousands of years. It also grows naturally in Europe, eastern Africa, Asia, and North America as well. They can grow happily outdoors in USDA growing zones 5 through 8.
When growing wild, a lavender shrub can be found growing in areas that have dry and well draining soil, and in areas that usually have direct sunlight exposure. In more humid areas they are grown as annuals.
What are some Popular Lavender Species?
Spanish Lavender (Lavandula Stoechas) – Spanish lavender is a very showy lavender variety that is known for having a pineapple shaped flower spike!
Each purple flower spike of lavandula stoechas is topped with a set or dark purple bunny ears. The flowers aren’t particularly fragrant, but the light green leaves are.
English Lavender (Lavandula Angustifolia) – English lavender is used to living in cooler climates and is known as being the most cold hardy variety of lavender.
L angustifolia can be identified by its tiny lavender flowers and gray/green foliage. English lavender plants are a staple in English herb gardens and can grow to be 2-3 feet tall.
French Lavender (Lavandula Dentata) – French lavender is also called fringed lavender and is known for having very fragrant leaves and lesser fragrant flowers.
L dentata can grow to be around 36 inches tall with light purple flowers. This lavender variety has narrow, finely toothed leaves that have a scent that is said to be similar to rosemary.
Canary Island Lavender (Lavandula Canariensis) – Canary island lavender is a showy lavender variety that is essentially everblooming when it has the opportunity to grow in more mild climates.
L canariensis can be identified by its deeply cut foliage that is a very rich green color (which is unusual for the genus) and is similar looking to fern leaves. On top of slender stalks emerge purple flower spikes.
How is Lavender Used?
Ornamental – lavender is a very popular garden plant for several reasons. It’s beautiful, it produces lovely flowers and foliage, and some evergreen species bring ornamental interest to the garden all year round.
It’s also a great cut flower and is often used for dried flower arrangements and in potpourris. It’s wonderful fragrance is often added to little bags of dried flowers to hang on a wall or in a car as an air freshener.
Culinary – lavender essential oil and dry lavender is also a wonderfully unique garnish or flavor to add to sweet dishes, cocktails, juices, and desserts. Lavender is said to have a rather sweet, floral, and citrus-like essence to it. The buds and greens are used to make tea, and the buds are the essential ingredient to making mono-floral honey.
Cosmetic – lavender is very widely grown for its cosmetic purposes as well. Lavender essential oil is a common ingredient in salves, perfumes, balms, moisturizers, and hair products.
How do you Grow Lavender Indoors?
Usually grown as on outdoor herb, not everybody knows that indoor lavender isn’t too tricky to maintain at all! It will be very similar care to the rest of your indoor plant family and probably one of the easiest to maintain in your indoor herb garden. First, you will need a few things:
- well draining potting mix
- terracotta pot
- grow light
- lavender seed/cuttings
- all purpose fertilizer
Soil Mix – one of the most important growing conditions for a lavender plant that your potting soil should have is proper drainage. You can easily achieve this by incorporating sand or gravel into the potting mix.
Additionally, adding compost to the potting soil is a great way to achieve the right nutrient content and to increase the drainage of the soil.
Lavender seems to perform its best when it’s growing in alkaline soil as well. A very easy way to achieve alkaline soil is by crushing up some egg shells and mixing it into the potting mix.
Watering – lavender requires moderate levels of water. They don’t want to dry out completely, but they also don’t want to have consistently wet soil, as this can lead to root rot.
The best rule of thumb is to allow water to dry out between waterings. This is also why having well draining soil is so important so as to prevent that dreaded root rot. If you don’t water it enough, the plant will tell you with yellowing leaves.
Sun Exposure – lavender is a sun loving creature, and when living as an indoor plant it should be placed in a south facing window that has at least 6 hours of direct sunlight.
If you don’t have a south facing window with direct sunlight you may need to get a grow light. Set the timer to about 10 hours per day in order to have a sufficient amount of light.
Fertilizer – though it’s used to growing in pretty poor soil in the wild, lavenders respond quite well to receiving fertilizer. A diluted all purpose fertilizer added every 4 weeks during its active growing season will suffice.
Potting – growing lavender is terracotta pots is a great way to make sure that they maintain healthy roots. This is because water easily evaporates out of terracotta pots.
It’s also important to rotate your lavender plant to make sure that each side of the plant is receiving enough light. Basically just rotate the plant slightly every time you water it to ensure an even, bushy plant.
Planting – planting lavender seeds can happen in the early spring. Simply maintain soil moisture and warmth but covering your pot with a clear plastic big. You can use a large seed tray or an individual pot for each lavender seedling.
New growth should start to emerge in a few short weeks. An indoor lavender plant can always be transplanted outdoors in the warm summer weather. Growing indoors can happen all year round as well, but starting lavender plants indoors ensures success outdoors.
Plant lavender outdoors after all threat of frost has passed. Simply shake away the excess soil from the root ball and choose a spot on your property that receives full sun. Otherwise, just move your potted plant to a sunny location for easy relocation once the cold weather returns.
Harvesting – harvesting lavender can happen pretty much at any time of year, depending on when you planted it and when the growing season of your plant is.
If you want to harvest lavender flowers, the best time of year to do this is in the early spring. This is because the early spring is when the essential oils are at their peak, and it allows the plant to have a second blooming period.
FAQs
Are lavender plants deer resistant?
One great thing about growing lavender and other fragrant herbs is the fact that their fragrant leaves help deter larger pests like deer, rabbits, and squirrels.
What are the damaging agents to lavender plants?
The most damage that can happen to a lavender plant is being either over watered or under watered. You don’t want the soil to stay dried out completely, but you also don’t want it to be soggy as this will lead to root rot.
Are lavender plants perennials?
Lavender is a perennial plant type, meaning that it will continue to grow and produce flower blossoms each year as long as its ideal growing conditions are met and maintained.
What USDA growing zone can lavender plants grow in?
Lavender is a Mediterranean herb and it be cultivated there for thousands of years. It also grows naturally in Europe, eastern Africa, Asia, and North America as well. They can grow happily outdoors in USDA growing zones 5 through 8.
How often should a lavender plant be watered?
Lavender requires moderate levels of water. They don’t want to dry out completely, but they also don’t want to have consistently wet soil, as this can lead to root rot.
The best rule of thumb is to allow water to dry out between waterings. This is also why having well draining soil is so important so as to prevent that dreaded root rot. If you don’t water it enough, the plant will tell you with yellowing leaves.
Should you grow lavender indoors or grow lavender outdoors?
Planting lavender seeds can happen in the early spring. Simply maintain soil moisture and warmth but covering your pot with a clear plastic big. You can use a large seed tray or an individual pot for each lavender seedling.
New growth should start to emerge in a few short weeks. An indoor lavender plant can always be transplanted outdoors in the warm summer weather. Growing indoors can happen all year round as well, but starting lavender plants indoors ensures success outdoors.
Plant lavender outdoors after all threat of frost has passed. Simply shake away the excess soil from the root ball and choose a spot on your property that receives full sun. Otherwise, just move your potted plant to a sunny location for easy relocation once the cold weather returns.
Do lavender plants prefer full sun or partial shade?
Lavender is a sun loving creature, and when living as an indoor plant it should be placed in a south facing window that has at least 6 hours of direct sunlight.
If you don’t have a south facing window with direct sunlight you may need to get a grow light. Set the timer to about 10 hours per day in order to have a sufficient amount of light.
Where can I buy lavender seeds?
Lavender seed can easily be found for sale at your local garden centre or nursery, or you can easily order them online as well!
What is the ideal soil type for a lavender plant?
One of the most important growing conditions for a lavender plant that your potting soil should have is proper drainage. You can easily achieve this by incorporating sand or gravel into the potting mix.
Additionally, adding compost to the potting soil is a great way to achieve the right nutrient content and to increase the drainage of the soil.
Lavender seems to perform its best when it’s growing in alkaline soil as well. A very easy way to achieve alkaline soil is by crushing up some egg shells and mixing it into the potting mix.
What is the easiest way to propagate a lavender plant?
Propagating a lavender plant can easily occur through sowing seed, starting a cutting, or by dividing an existing plant. These are plants that simply want to grow and you’ll be successful with any method, though starting a plant from a cutting is the least time consuming.
How tall do lavender plants get?
With so many different species of lavender growing wild out there, they are bound to have some variations. This is a fast growing plant that can grow as a low growing subshrub of 30 inches, or as a herbaceous perennial shrub of over 4 feet.
