Lavender grows well in pots and tubs and the trick is to create the right conditions for it. She needs a large pot with well-drained soil in a sunny and not too humid spot.
All lavender varieties are suitable for container growing and can successfully survive in containers, although semi-hardy varieties work best. They grow best in terracotta pots filled with light, well-drained potting soil and placed in the sunniest spot in your garden.
Growing lavender brings fragrance, evergreens and sweet blooms to the room and is a great plant for bees and other beneficial pollinators. It can be a low maintenance plant and if you grow lavender in pots you can enjoy it on your porch, deck, patio or balcony.
Does lavender grow well in pots?
Growing lavender can be very low maintenance, and the key to being successful when growing lavender in containers is to think about its natural habitat and try to replicate it in a container environment. Lavender grows in dry, sunny areas of the Mediterranean where the soil is very well drained. You must therefore provide the plant with a place to bask in the sun and soil that provides excellent drainage.
Janice Cox, author of "Lovely Lavender" and educational manager for the American Herbal Society, says many people say, "Don't pot lavender," but that's because people tend to overwater, which can lead to that the plant dries up and even dies. .
She says: “When it comes to growing lavender, three things are important: drainage, drainage and more drainage.
“I like to use pots for the sweet lavender varieties. This allows them to be closer to the house or greenhouse during the cold winter months. Also, you can put them in the full sun in summer. I've also seen people use lavender pots outside of greenhouses and gardens to attract pollinators.
Lavender is an excellent fly and mosquito repellent, so planting pots outside of your home or building can repel pests. By keeping out unwanted pests, lavender flowers attract bees and other beneficial pollinators to the garden.
The best lavender for pots
In general, there are two main types of lavender: Spanish lavender and English lavender. The latter are usually taller, hardier lavender species that are commonly planted as flowering shrubs in landscapes. English lavender has larger leaves than its Spanish counterpart.
Both species require the same growing guidelines, need full sun and good drainage, and can grow successfully in pots. Spanish lavender is softer and you should overwinter your lavender by moving it to a sheltered spot where it can spend the winter months.
Sweet, semi-hard and dwarf varieties are best suited for growing lavender in tubs. American Meadows customer and partner Tabor Lindsay Gifford says the smaller, more compact lavender varieties are "an excellent choice" if you want to grow lavender in containers.
She recommends, "Strains like Thumbelina Leigh, Goodwin Creek, SuperBlue, Blue Cushion, Wee One, Anouk, and Silver Anouk are great options that work well in pots."
With dwarf varieties it is even possible to grow lavender indoors in pots and it makes one of the best balcony plants as indoors with fragrant herbs in the pot you get a pleasant scent outside.
Buy lavender plants at Nature Hills.
How to plant lavender in a pot
Lavender requires a pot large enough to contain its spreading roots. Therefore, choose a pot that is at least 10 inches in diameter or larger. Lavender is best planted in terracotta pots, which are available on Amazon, as the material is porous and allows the plant to breathe. Make sure the container has drainage holes to allow excess moisture to drain.
Susan Betz, author and member of the International Herbal Society, recommends that "light, well-drained potting soil" is essential and that you should avoid using sphagnum and peat moss or too much compost, as this will cause excess moisture and roots. rot. . .
She recommends "inorganic element" drainage, saying, "A classic potting soil for growing healthy, vigorous lavender plants contains the following ingredients: 3 parts potting soil, 1 part coarse sand, 1 part compost, and 1 part perlite."
To pot or transplant lavender, fill your pot of choice with growing medium and pierce a large hole larger than the plant's root ball. Put the plant in the hole and plant it at the same height as in the nursery pot. Backfill the hole, anchor the plant well and water well. Place the pot in a warm, sunny spot, ideally with 8-10 hours of direct sunlight per day.
How often should you water potted lavender?
Lavender is a plant that doesn't do well if it gets too wet. This makes it all the more important to decide when to water your plants. It requires less water than many other plants, and too much water is one of the most common mistakes made when growing lavender.
When watering potted plants, always use your fingers to check if there is still a few inches of moisture at the bottom of the pot. This gives a better idea of the amount of water in the compost, well in excess of what is visible to the naked eye.
For lavender, the soil should dry out moderately between waterings, it is better to water plentifully and less often. Water thoroughly and allow the root ball to soak before allowing the soil to dry out and water again. Always water in the morning or evening - never when it's hot - and be careful not to wet the leaves.
FAQs
Should I cut the lavender in the pot?
Potted lavender definitely needs pruning to keep it looking tidy. Sturdy lavender varieties should be pruned in fall after flowering or in spring. Semi-hardy and tender lavender species should be killed in the summer and only pruned when they become too unsightly, and not pruned until spring.
To prune lavender, use clean, sharp pruning shears and trim the lavender enough to see new leaves developing. This is usually done to cut off soft new growth. You can prune old growth, but never go below where there is evidence of new growth.
How do I feed potted lavender?
Susan Betz explains that the best soil for lavender is very well drained and may be deficient in nutrients. Because when watering the plants, the nutrients in the compost are washed out. She recommends using a balanced, slow-release fertilizer like fish emulsion or liquid seaweed in the pots. An example of this is Alaska Fish Emulsion Plant Food, available at Walmart.
If you want to add fragrant herbs to your garden, lavender is a must. Because the plant grows so well in pots, you can even plant lavender in herb pots or in your own herb garden.
With the right pot, compost and location, lavender is easy to care for. Its fragrant summer flowers delight the senses and attract bees and other pollinators to your garden.
