So, you’re bringing home a baby lavender plant—how exciting! We've done it 10,000 times, so we know a thing or two about planting 😉 Whether this is your first lavender plant or you’re adding to a growing collection, we want to set you up for success, as we feel no greater joy than looking out at a blooming field. These little plugs may look tiny now, but with the right care, they’ll thrive into beautiful, fragrant plants that will bring you joy for years to come.
Here’s everything you need to know about caring for your new lavender baby!
Step One: Where To Plant Lavender
When you bring your baby home, it’s been on quite the journey, and it wants to get settled in sooner than later. If you haven't taken the time yet, map out the driest, sunniest and most barren spot in your garden, and that will be your lavender's new home address. (for real.) Lavender prefers low nitrate arid soil, at least 8 hours of direct sunlight, and very little water. In simple terms, any normal plant's worst nightmare. Think dry, unappetizing, sandy soil that looks like it's been baking in the sun for quite some time.
Step Two: Planting & Evaluation
After you've determined your baby's new home, remove it from its little peat pot (Biodegradable!) and make sure its little roots are untagled and spread nicely. (Use a gentle but firm massaging movement with your fingers to loosen up any problem roots without damaging them!) Inspect the baby from root to leaf for any foriegn stowaways (insects, mold, etc.) We pride ourselves in only offering extremley high quality plants, but we only have so much power over nature! Luckily, lavender tends to be extremely pest resistant, but, like with any other new plant, you can never be too careful.
Your baby should look like this when you bring it home:
Damp, not wet soil
Upright, confident position
Sage green color with a silvery sheen
Plump, hydrated foliage
Long, hearty, white roots
No hitchhikers, discoloration, or withered appearance
Identification tag
***If you have any concerns with your plant, please contact us!***
Once you’ve checked that your plant is in good shape, dig a hole a little deeper and wider than it actually needs—somewhere around 6 to 10 inches. Loosening and “fluffing” the soil as you go helps with aeration and makes it easier for the roots to establish. When you backfill, press the soil in firmly but don’t pack it too tight—you want a hole just deep enough to cover the roots without burying any green growth.
After planting, be sure to give the soil a good soak - the trick is to water thoroughly every once in a while, opposed to a light watering daily. Wait until the soil is completely dry before you water again to prevent diseases, such as root rot, from sneaking in from soggy soil.
Quick Tips:
If your soil is too rich for lavender's liking, amend with a mixture of sand and gravel. This is a win win, as it keeps your lavender from being overwhelmed with nutrients, and it promotes better drainage.
Though we do not recommend planting lavender in containers, there has been success in raised beds. If you're planting anywhere but the earth, proceed with caution and make sure there is no still water present, and enough room for your lavender to really stretch its roots.
Lavender likes personal space - be sure to give it at least 12 to 18 inches of breathing room from other plants.
Step Three: Long-Term Care
Lavender is very low-maintenance once it’s settled, but here’s how to keep it happy:
Watering: Once established, lavender is drought-tolerant. Water deeply but infrequently (only when the soil is fully dry). Overwatering is the #1 way to kill lavender! For the first season, we deeply water our babies every few days, especially with scorching July temperatures. After the first year, the rain should do all the work for you - just keep an eye out for dry spells!
Pruning: In the first year, focus on encouraging growth rather than shaping and pruning. If necessary, give your plant a light trim in early spring to shape it and promote strong roots.
After your first (maybe even second) year, it's time to prune. We like to keep our plants in an ornamental dome/ball shape, using electric trimmers and shears. Before getting started, it is crucial to know that your plant is made up of two components - soft, leafy green foliage on the outside, and a strong, woody interior. ONLY cut green foliage, never healthy wood.
If you suspect a woody area of your plant is damaged or dead, massage it in your hand firmly. If the foliage easily comes off, or the section was bald to begin with, it may be on its way out. Check for any underlying issues within the plant and keep an eye on it. If the wood is brittle and breaks, take your sheers and trim the affected area. Remember that this is your plants "skeleton" and helps to keep it healthy over the winter, so conservative pruning is a must.
Harvesting: Patience is key! Lavender is a slow grower at first but will take off in its second year. Sometimes, the little plants get confused and decide to grow a few little sprigs in their first year. If your baby is doing well, go ahead and see how far it goes! If you have any concerns about its health or size, it's best to deadhead the sprigs so that it can focus on its energy on its roots and growth.
Once your plant is fully established and thriving, it will put out approximately 4 half dollar sized bundles each year. If you choose to harvest your plant for use, we recommend to do so in early-mid July. Lavender will have the strongest value & scent when only a couple of flowers have opened. (higher essential oil in closed buds, a few open flowers show maturity) Or, you can choose to keep it as an ornamental plant and let all the flowers bloom.
When harvesting, cut between the first and second set of leaves (working your way downward). Cutting too deep forces the plant to use extra energy to recover, while cutting too high can prevent it from blooming again in that spot for the season. This method also saves time in the long run since it doubles as both harvesting and pruning—win-win!
A Final Note
With a little patience and the right care, your tiny baby will soon become a lush, fragrant beauty, and you'll have more lavender than you'll know what to do with! (At first - we can tell you so many ways to use your lavender that you'll be considering starting a farm yourself 😉) And if you ever need help, just reach out—we love to spread the lavender love!
Happy planting, and we can’t wait to see how your lavender grows!
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