Lavender care »The great guide

When and how often do I have to water lavender?

How do I care for lavender? This question is often asked because it is a Mediterranean, warmth-loving plant. But don't worry: taking care of lavender properly is actually not difficult. This includes that the plant - after all, it comes from the dry areas of the Mediterranean - should be protected from moisture and wetness. Waterlogging in particular has a detrimental effect on their growth, and the roots can rot and other parts of the plant become moldy. You need to Only then water garden lavenderwhen the soil is dry - and it does not harm the plant if the soil occasionally dries out completely for a short period of time. Also, be careful not to give the plant too much water at once. Lavender develops very deep tap roots, which can also fetch water from deeper layers of the earth. Only potted lavender should be watered more often, whereby the substrate may only be kept moist here, but never wet. It is best to water early in the morning and avoid wetting the leaves and flowers as well.

In many gardening guides you can read that lavender should be fertilized every two weeks. However, fertilizer is hardly necessary in lavender care - especially not at such short intervals - since the plant comes from a region with traditionally nutrient-poor soils. Therefore, frequent fertilizer applications do more harm than good and tend to promote the blanching of the plant. In principle, it is sufficient to provide lavender with potash fertilizer, manure or compost once a year, preferably at the beginning of the growing season in spring. If possible, avoid using a nitrogen-rich fertilizer (such as B. Horn shavings), because this primarily stimulates the irregular height growth of the plant.

Does it make sense to mulch lavender?

No, from one Mulching with bark mulch, peat or Sawdust you'd better watch out. The mulch material also stores moisture, which in turn promotes mold growth in lavender. It also makes the soil leavenedwhich the lavender cannot tolerate either. One is better suited Layer of sand or pebbleswhich provides additional warmth and also keeps the plant nice and dry.

The roots of the lavender take up a lot of space, which is why you should choose a pot that is as deep and wide as possible. The more unhindered the roots can spread, the longer the plant will thrive. It is also important to avoid waterlogging through good drainage. For this purpose, layer several inches Expanded clay(€ 16.36 at Amazon *) or small pebbles at the bottom of the pot, then excess water can flow off unhindered. The trivet must not be filled with water, it is best to remove this regularly.

Which species are particularly suitable for keeping in the bucket?

In particular the distinctive but sensitive poppy lavender is ideal for keeping in a bucket.

I only have a small garden, which variety is good for it?

Some Lavender varieties can get quite high, some even up to a meter, so that small gardens can be overgrown quickly. Hence are suitable for this Compact lavender varieties that stay small best, for example, the only 30 to 40 centimeters high 'Dwarf blue'. By the way, this variety is hardy.

How often do I have to repot lavender?

Potted lavender should be repotted once a year - preferably in spring, at the beginning of the growing season. If you have just bought potted plants from a gardener or garden center, plant them in a sufficiently large pot as soon as possible. In the usually small plant pots, the sensitive roots are too much restricted, which greatly affects the growth and health of the lavender.

How big does the pot have to be?

Choose a pot with at least 10 liters. In addition, the ideal lavender pot must not be flat (i.e. no balcony box or similar). Ä.), but should be as deep as possible because of the tap root.

Can I also keep lavender as a houseplant?

Lavender is suitable only to a limited extent as a houseplant, like so many Mediterranean plants. Properly caring for indoor lavender is not an easy task, as you should imitate the natural living conditions as best you can. This also includes the plant in summer if possible on the balcony and to ensure a cool, but frost-free overwintering in winter. Year-round keeping in the (heated) living room is very likely Death of the lavender to lead.

When and how do you cut lavender?

The fast-growing lavender should ideally be cut back twice a year, once in spring and a second time at the end of the flowering period in summer. Cut the plant about halfway back, but without cutting too much into the old wood - the lavender does not tolerate this and does not sprout again at the cut point.

Lavender has a high proportion of essential oils, which usually keeps pests away. Not without reason are scented sachets with dried ones Lavender flowers a popular remedy for moths in the closet. By the way, eat too Snails are extremely reluctant to lavender at.

Actually, lavender is a so-called subshrub, not a tree. However, since the older (lower) parts of the plant lignify over time, a lavender high stem can be grown with a little effort. In order for this to keep its shape, however, it must be regularly trimmed.

Can I also harvest from the lavender tree?

Of course, you can harvest from your lavender tree as you would from any other lavender.

For wintering outdoors are only suitable certain, frost-hardy lavender varieties. Some varieties, on the other hand, should only be cultivated in pots (such as the popular Schopflavender), as they in turn cannot tolerate frost and freeze to death. It is best to cover hardy lavender varieties with brushwood in winter to keep the plants from drying out. In the case of prolonged, very frosty temperatures, additional protective measures such as covering with a coconut mat are recommended.

Potted lavender should never overwinter outdoors, but in a cool, but frost-free place. Temperatures around 10 to 12 ° C are best suited for this - such as a stairwell or the (unheated) bedroom.

The only really hardy species is the so-called real lavender (Lavandula angustifolia), in particular the established varieties 'Hidcote Blue' or 'Munstead' as extremely apply robustly.

Tips & Tricks

Even though lavender should not be watered very much, the plant needs more water in very hot summer temperatures - then you can also water it daily. Just make sure your lavender doesn't stand wet!

IJA