Are you looking for a way to propagate your own lavender plants? Taking cuttings from an existing lavender plant is a great way to get more plants for your garden without spending a fortune.
In this quick guide, we’ll show you the steps to take lavender cuttings RHS so you can easily propagate your lavender plants.
We’ll cover what you need, how to take the cutting, dipping it in rooting hormone, placing it in water, monitoring root growth, transferring it to soil, and taking care of your cuttings.
Let’s get started!
Table of Contents
Short Answer
Lavender cuttings can be taken in the late spring or early summer.
To take a cutting, use sharp, clean pruning shears to snip off a piece of non-flowering stem that is about 5-7 cm long.
Make sure the cutting has several sets of leaves.
Dip the cutting in a rooting hormone and plant in a well-drained container filled with moist, sterile soil.
Place the container in a warm, sunny spot and keep the soil moist.
After a few weeks, the cuttings should have rooted and can be transplanted to their permanent location.
What You Need
Taking lavender cuttings is a great way to propagate new plants and increase your gardens lavender population. To do this successfully, you will need the following items: a sharp knife, some rooting hormone powder, a container of water, and a pot of moist, well-draining soil. All of these items can be purchased from a local garden center or online.
The knife should be sharp enough to cleanly cut through the stem of the lavender and the rooting hormone powder will help to encourage root growth.
It is important to make sure that the rooting hormone you purchase is specifically designed for lavender cuttings.
You should also ensure that the container of water is large enough for the cuttings you will be making and that the pot of soil is moist but not soggy.
Once you have all of the necessary items, you can begin taking your lavender cuttings.
Make sure to select a healthy, mature plant from which to take your cuttings and make sure that each cutting is around 5-7 cm in length and that it has no flowers on it.
This will help ensure that the cutting will successfully grow roots and become a new plant.
Taking the Cutting
The first step in propagating lavender is taking the cutting.
You should choose a healthy, mature plant that is free of pests or diseases and has plenty of foliage.
Then, using a sharp knife or snips, cut a 5-7 cm long stem from the plant.
Make sure that the stem does not have any flowers on it, and try to make the cut as close to a leaf node as possible.
This will help to encourage root growth.
Once you have the cutting, its time to move onto the next step!
Dipping the Cutting in Rooting Hormone
When taking lavender cuttings, it is important to dip the cutting in rooting hormone powder in order to encourage root growth.
Rooting hormone is a naturally occurring plant hormone that helps stimulate root formation in cuttings.
The purpose of using rooting hormone is to increase the chances of success when propagating new plants from cuttings.
To use the rooting hormone, simply dip the cutting into the powder and make sure it is completely covered.
You can then shake off any excess powder before placing the cutting into the container with water.
The rooting hormone will help the cutting to form roots more quickly, which will increase the chances of success when transplanting the cutting into the soil.
It is important to note that the rooting hormone is only effective for a short time, so you should make sure to transfer the cutting to the soil as soon as possible after dipping it in the powder.
Placing the Cutting in Water
Once you have taken the cutting from a healthy, mature lavender plant, the next step is to place it in a container of water.
This will help the cutting to form roots and encourage healthy growth.
It’s important to ensure that your container is clean and free of any debris or dirt.
Also, make sure the water is at room temperature.
Cold water can shock the cutting, while warm water can cause it to rot.
To place the cutting in the water, start by submerging the end of the cutting that was closest to the branch in the water.
Then, hold the cutting in place for a few seconds to ensure that the end is fully submerged.
After that, release the cutting and let it float in the water.
If the cutting is too long to fit in the container, you can gently bend it in half and hold it in place.
Once the cutting is in the water, it’s important to keep the water level consistent.
To do this, you can top off the container with fresh water from time to time.
Make sure to use room temperature water each time you refill the container.
Additionally, you can add a few drops of liquid seaweed fertilizer to the water, as this will provide your cutting with extra nutrients.
Monitoring Root Growth
When taking lavender cuttings, monitoring root growth is essential to ensure that the cutting develops a strong and healthy root system.
To do this, it is important to place the cutting in a container of water and check it regularly.
Over time, you should see roots beginning to form around the base of the cutting.
Additionally, the container should be refilled with fresh water every few days to ensure that the roots are able to take in the nutrients they need.
Once you notice a significant amount of root growth, the cutting can be transferred to a pot of soil and cared for accordingly.
With proper care and attention, your lavender cuttings should be ready to be transplanted in just a few weeks.
Transferring the Cutting to Soil
Once the lavender cutting has started to form roots, it is time to transfer it to soil.
For best results, it is important to use a pot of moist, well-draining soil.
If the soil is too dry, the cutting may not root as quickly.
Additionally, it is important to use a pot that is big enough to accommodate the roots without overcrowding them.
Once the pot is ready, the lavender cutting can be gently placed in the soil.
Make sure to pat the soil around the cutting and water it lightly.
This helps to ensure that the cutting is securely held in place and will receive enough moisture.
It is also important to place the pot in a place that gets plenty of indirect sunlight.
This will help the cutting to take root quickly and healthily.
With proper care, the lavender cutting should be ready to be transplanted in a few weeks.
Make sure to keep the soil moist during this time and to check periodically to see if the roots have developed.
Once the roots are strong and healthy, the cutting can be moved to its final location.
With a little bit of patience, you can easily increase your lavender population with this easy and fun propagation method.
Taking Care of Your Cuttings
Once you have taken your lavender cuttings, they will require proper care in order to thrive.
To ensure your cuttings are successful, it is important to provide them with the correct environment.
First, make sure you are providing your cuttings with enough light.
Lavender prefers full sun, so find a spot with plenty of direct sunlight.
Next, you will need to water your cuttings regularly.
Lavender requires moist, but not soggy, soil.
Therefore, it is important to water the soil lightly and avoid overwatering.
Additionally, you may want to consider misting your cuttings periodically, as this will help keep the soil moist.
Finally, it is important to keep an eye out for pests and diseases.
If you spot any signs of pest or disease, it is important to take action quickly in order to protect your cuttings.
Overall, taking care of lavender cuttings is not difficult, but it does require some attention and patience.
If you are willing to provide your cuttings with the proper environment and care, you should have no trouble growing a healthy and vibrant lavender population.
Final Thoughts
Taking lavender cuttings is a great way to propagate new plants and increase your gardens lavender population.
With these simple steps, you can now enjoy the beauty of your lavender plants in no time.
All you need to do now is get the necessary supplies, take the cutting, and follow the steps outlined in this guide.
With proper care and love, you will be able to enjoy the beauty of lavender for years to come.