Table of Contents
Lavender can be sown indoors in late winter or outdoors in early spring or late fall. Wherever it is sown, it will germinate in about 15 to 20 days. Indoors, place one seed in each bio sponge of your Bio Dome or, if you are using a seed flat, on top of the starting medium (the seeds need light to germinate).
Can you plant lavender seeds directly outside?
If you’re direct sowing them outside, space them in groupings about 2″ apart, and thin them to 18″ later on. Step 3: Plant the seeds – Since they need light to germinate, I prefer to drop my lavender seeds on top of the soil and leave them there. This will help to keep the soil moist during germination.
Is lavender hard to grow from seed?
Growing from seed is difficult, but it’s not impossible. If you want to try starting lavender from seed, sow seeds in a sterile seed starting mix. Barely cover seeds, because they need light to germinate. Lavender seeds can take as long as a month to germinate, although sometimes they’ll sprout in as little as 14 days.
What month should I plant lavender?
Planting Time: In areas colder than Zone 6 (Zone 6-1), we recommend planting in spring or early summer. In areas warmer than zone 6 (7-10), we recommend planting in early fall so the roots can get established during the cool, moist winter weather.
How long does it take for lavender seeds to sprout?
Barely cover the seed, as they germinates in 14-21 days in warm soil. Do not use a plastic lid or covering because this will make the surface of the soil too moist.
Does lavender bloom the first year?
Once the lavenders are settled in the ground they will grow slowly the first year, but most of them will bloom, and by next year you will have a splendid supply of lavender to plant into a hedge or use as a colorful border for your perennial bed.
How do I prepare lavender for winter?
Prepare lavenders for winter by pruning them late summer or early fall, into a dense mound shape to increase resistance from hostile winter weather and to deflect snow. Clear away fallen leaves and decaying organic matter from around the lavenders as this will only encourage the disease root rot.
How do I prepare my soil for lavender?
Plant lavender in well-drained, slightly alkaline soil with a pH between 6.7 and 7.3. You can add builder’s sand to the soil before planting to increase drainage, which is vital because lavender will not tolerate excessive soil moisture or humidity.
What can you not plant with lavender?
Lavender Companion Plants and Plants to Avoid! Good companion plants that will grow well with lavender are Roses, Alliums, Yarrow, Rosemary, Thyme, and African daisies. You should avoid planting Camellias, Mint, Hosta, and Impatiens with lavender.
Can I plant lavender in March?
The best time to plant tender lavender is in spring, from March through to May. If you have heavy soil, improve drainage by adding horticultural grit to the planting hole before planting. Planting on a slight mound can also help prevent water-logging. Plant lavender at the same depth it was in its pot.
Is lavender easy to grow?
Growing lavender is easy and rewarding. Lavender can be grown in garden beds or in pots. To grow lavender successfully it needs well-drained soil and full sun. In arid climates lavender grows well as a perennial, but in humid climates it is often grown as an annual.
Can you direct sow lavender seeds?
Yes, you can sow the seeds directly into the ground, but this method is less successful than starting your seeds indoors. Your seedlings will need more care and attention than an outdoor bed can provide.
Does lavender spread quickly?
The lavender plant is a very popular plant that gives off gorgeous flowers. There are several varieties of lavender and while the colors usually vary, you should know that the growing process for most lavenders is essentially the same. Lavender, if you didn’t know, is a fast grower and is going to spread very quickly.
Is lavender toxic to dogs?
Diluted lavender oil is generally considered safe for topical use on dogs. Lavender essential oil is extremely potent. Just like for humans, pure lavender essential oils should not be applied to the skin or ingested. Instead, they should be mixed with a carrier oil.
How often should I water lavender seeds?
Water newly planted lavender straight away after planting and then water once every two days for the first week. Scale back the watering after the first week to once every three or four days. 2 weeks after planting you can water the lavender once per week for the first three months.
How long does lavender take to grow?
This lavender species performs best in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 5 through 8. If starting new plants from seed, it will take 90 to 200 days to reach maturity. English lavender is considered fully mature when it reaches between 1 and 2 feet in height with an equal spread.
How big does lavender get in the first year?
During this first year, they have grown to a height of 10 inches and when in full bloom will reach 20 inches.
How many times a year does lavender bloom?
English lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) is most common and hardy to Zone 5. There are hundreds of varieties available in many colors and sizes. It often blooms twice in one season.
Does lavender grow year round?
Lavender is a low-care, low maintenance plant. Lavender (Lavandula) can grow year round in a hot and dry climate like southern California and the arid Southwest, or even arid West. Most of the 15 or so species don’t grow as well, nor are long-lived, in hot and humid climates such as the Southeast or Midwest.
What happens if you don’t prune lavender?
An annual pruning is an important step for long-lasting lavender (Lavandula spp. and hybrids) plants. Without it they grow a large, lanky, woody base that can split open — it looks bad and shortens the plant’s lifespan.
Is lavender poisonous to cats?
Most disturbingly, cats can’t efficiently metabolize the compounds in essential oils, which can lead to toxic build-up in their bodies. Fresh lavender is not toxic to felines, only the essential oils derived from the plants are.
