Lavender is a beautiful and fragrant herb that can bring a touch of the outdoors to any home.
But do you know how to keep your lavender alive and thriving for as long as possible? If not, don’t worry! We have compiled a list of tips and tricks that will help you keep your lavender alive and well for years to come.
In this article, we will discuss the benefits of keeping lavender alive, the sun and water requirements, pruning, fertilizing, and mulching.
We will also cover some common mistakes to avoid when caring for lavender.
Read on to learn more about how to keep your lavender alive!
Table of Contents
Short Answer
To keep lavender alive, make sure to plant it in well-drained soil in a sunny location.
Water the plant regularly, but avoid over-watering.
Prune your lavender regularly to maintain its shape and prevent it from becoming leggy.
Finally, make sure to mulch around the plant to help retain soil moisture and protect the roots from extreme temperatures.
Benefits of Keeping Lavender Alive
Keeping lavender alive and thriving has many benefits.
Not only does it look beautiful in your garden, but lavender has a number of uses that can benefit you, your home, and your garden.
Lavender is known for its calming and relaxing effects, which can help reduce stress and anxiety levels.
The scent from lavender is also known to help reduce headaches and nausea.
Lavender is also known to be a natural insect repellent, so if you have a problem with bugs in your garden, planting lavender can help keep them away.
In addition, lavender can be used in various ways in the kitchen.
Its strong flavor is great for adding to recipes, and its essential oils can be used to make homemade cleaning solutions.
Finally, lavender is a great addition to your garden as it is drought tolerant and requires minimal maintenance.
Sun Requirements for Lavender
One of the most important requirements for keeping lavender alive and thriving is plenty of sunshine.
Lavender plants are native to Mediterranean climates, so they are used to hot, sunny days.
Lavender requires at least six hours of direct sunlight each day to thrive, though more is even better.
If you live in an area with less sunshine, you may need to supplement the natural light with grow lights.
When choosing where to plant your lavender, look for a spot that gets plenty of light and is free of any large trees or other plants that could shade your lavender.
Additionally, be sure to keep the lavender away from any sources of wind, as this can cause the delicate flowers to wilt.
With the right amount of sun, your lavender will be able to grow strong and healthy.
Water Requirements for Lavender
Water is the single most important factor in keeping your lavender alive and thriving.
Lavender requires deep waterings once a week, and the soil should be allowed to dry in between waterings.
It is important to not over-water lavender, as too much moisture can lead to root rot, fungal diseases, and even death of the plant.
To ensure your lavender is receiving the right amount of water, use a soil moisture meter to measure the dryness of the soil.
If the soil is dry to the touch, its time to water.
Additionally, lavender prefers slightly acidic soil, which can be achieved by adding a small amount of acidic fertilizer, such as ammonium sulfate or sulfur-coated urea.
To prevent your lavender from being over-watered, you can mulch around the base of the plant to help retain moisture and prevent water from evaporating too quickly.
Additionally, you can use a soaker hose to slowly and evenly water the lavender.
Make sure to keep the hose at least 6 inches away from the base of the plant to avoid root rot.
Lastly, you should water your lavender in the morning or early afternoon to give the plant enough time to dry off before nightfall.
Pruning Lavender
Pruning lavender is an important part of keeping it alive and healthy.
Regular pruning helps to promote new growth and remove dead or damaged wood.
The best time to prune lavender is in the fall, after the plant has gone dormant.
Pruning should also be done if the plant is getting too big or if an old woody branch needs to be removed.
When pruning lavender, use sharp pruning shears or scissors.
Start by looking for dead or damaged branches, then trim them off at the base.
If the plant is getting too big, prune away some of the larger branches to help keep it in shape.
Pruning should be done gradually, so as not to shock the plant.
When pruning lavender, it is important to remember to never prune more than a third of the plant.
Pruning too much can cause the plant to become stressed and weak, and can even kill it.
It is also important to make sure that the pruned branches are disposed of properly, as lavender is susceptible to pests and diseases.
By following these tips and pruning your lavender regularly, you can keep it alive and looking beautiful!
Fertilizing Lavender
Fertilizing lavender is an important part of keeping it healthy and vibrant.
Lavender is a light feeder, so it doesnt require a lot of fertilizer, but it does benefit from having some available nutrients in the soil.
The best way to fertilize lavender is to use a balanced fertilizer that contains all the necessary nutrients, such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium.
Its important to use a fertilizer that is specifically formulated for lavender, as their nutrient requirements are slightly different than those of other plants.
When fertilizing lavender, its important to follow the instructions on the packaging.
Generally, you should apply the fertilizer once or twice a year, in the spring and fall.
Make sure to spread the fertilizer evenly around the base of the plant, but be careful not to get any fertilizer on the leaves or stems.
After applying the fertilizer, water it in well to help the soil absorb the nutrients.
Its also important to keep in mind that too much fertilizer can be detrimental to lavender.
Using too much fertilizer can cause the plant to become over-fertilized, resulting in excessive growth and weaker stems.
To avoid this, its important to use the amount of fertilizer recommended on the package and to never exceed that amount.
By following these simple steps, you can ensure that your lavender is getting the right amount of fertilizer it needs to stay healthy and vibrant.
With the proper care, your lavender can bring you many years of beauty and enjoyment.
Mulching Lavender
Mulching is an important step in keeping your lavender alive and thriving.
Mulch is a layer of organic material placed around the base of the plant to help retain moisture and protect the plant from extreme temperatures.
It also prevents weed growth and helps to improve the soil structure.
When choosing a mulch material for your lavender, avoid any that are too coarse or acidic as these can damage the roots.
Instead, opt for a mulch that is soft and slightly acidic such as pine needles or shredded bark.
A 2-3 inch layer of mulch is generally sufficient and should be applied in late winter or early spring.
Be sure to keep the mulch away from the base of the plant to avoid rotting or disease.
Mulch should also be kept at least several inches away from the stems to prevent the growth of fungi or mildew.
Additionally, its important to monitor the moisture levels of the mulch and adjust as needed.
Too much or too little moisture can cause problems for your lavender.
Mulching your lavender is a great way to help ensure its survival and keep it looking its best.
With the right care, you can keep your lavender alive and looking beautiful for years to come!
Common Mistakes To Avoid with Lavender
When it comes to keeping lavender alive, its important to remember that it requires specific care. To ensure that your lavender thrives, be sure to avoid these common mistakes:
1. Overwatering. Lavender prefers well-drained soil and should only be watered once a week. When watering, be sure to water deeply and allow the soil to dry in between waterings.
2. Too much fertilizer. Too much fertilizer can burn the plant, so use a balanced fertilizer only once or twice a year.
3. Not pruning. Pruning your lavender in the fall will help to encourage healthy new growth.
4. Not mulching. Mulching around the base of the lavender helps to retain moisture and keep the soil cool.
5. Planting in the wrong location. Lavender requires lots of sunshine and slightly acidic soil to thrive, so be sure to choose a location that meets these requirements.
By avoiding these common mistakes, you can ensure that your lavender stays alive and well for years to come!
Final Thoughts
As you can see, keeping lavender alive is not difficult if you follow some simple steps.
Lavender needs lots of sunshine, well-drained soil, regular deep watering, occasional pruning, fertilizing, and mulching to stay healthy and vibrant.
With the right care and attention, you can keep your lavender alive and looking beautiful! So, take the time to give your lavender the love it needs, and you can enjoy its calming scent and colorful blooms for many years to come.