How to grow potted lavender? A detailed guide to home care methods

I. How to water potted lavender

Lavender does not like water standing around its roots. Once the water has soaked through, wait until the soil dries before watering again; aim for the surface growing medium to be dry and the interior moist, and for the leaves to be slightly wilted. Water in the morning, away from sunlight, and do not splash water on the leaves or flowers, otherwise they rot easily and breed disease and pests.

A continuously wet environment means the roots do not have enough air to breathe and grow poorly, and the whole plant may even suddenly die; this is often where lavender growing fails.

II. How to give potted lavender sunlight

Lavender is a full-sun plant and needs plenty of sunlight and a moderately humid environment; an environment with full sun is better, while with half sun a plant will still grow, though it flowers rather sparsely. In summer, at least 50% of the sunlight should be blocked, and ventilation increased to lower the ambient temperature. In winter, lavender grows well on flat ground and should be grown in full sun.

III. Temperature requirements of potted lavender

Lavender is semi heat-tolerant, prefers cool conditions, and likes warm winters and cool summers.

Optimum growing temperature: 15-25°C; it can grow at 5-30°C.

Limiting temperature: above 35°C; when it stays above 38-40°C for a long time, the upper stems and leaves turn yellow and dry up.

In the north, when winter stays below 0°C for a long time, it begins dormancy; during dormancy, mature plants can withstand low temperatures of -20°C to -25°C.

IV. Pruning potted lavender

Lavender flowers are rich in essential oil, and the flowers or flower spikes are mainly used. To make harvesting easier, in the early stage of cultivation some small flower spikes may as well be trimmed flat entirely with large scissors, so the newly grown flower spikes are of uniform height and can be harvested in one go.

Some varieties can reach 90 cm in height; this method is also used to keep the plant low and encourage more branching and flowering, increasing the harvest. After flowering, pruning must be done; the plant can be pruned to two-thirds of its original size, which makes the plant shape more compact and benefits growth. Prune in cool seasons such as spring and autumn; generally prune in spring, as pruning in autumn affects cold tolerance. When pruning, be careful not to cut into the woody part, so the plant does not weaken and die.