Want your home to smell like heaven?
Grow lavender right at home!
Our guide will show you how to cultivate this fragrant plant easily.
Ready to fill your space with a delightful aroma?
Let’s dive in!
Advantages of Cultivating Lavender
Stress Reduction: Breathing in the scent of lavender can lead to decreased stress and anxiety levels, which encourages a peaceful state of mind.
Sleep Improvement: The essence of lavender may contribute to better sleep quality. Keeping lavender close to your sleeping area might help alleviate sleep disturbances.
Flavor Enhancer: Select lavender varieties can be safely consumed and add a unique flavor to a variety of recipes including sweets, teas, and some savory dishes.
Healing Benefits: Lavender is known for its antiseptic and anti-inflammatory capabilities. Applying its oil may provide relief from minor burns, insect stings, and skin annoyances.
Ecosystem Support: The striking blossoms not only enhance your garden’s aesthetics but also invite bees and butterflies, aiding in the sustainability of these vital pollinators.
Creative Uses: Incorporating dried lavender into your crafts like potpourri, scented candles, and natural soaps can create delightful personal gifts or embellish your home environment.
Cultivating Lavender in Containers
When selecting a container, ensure it has adequate drainage holes to avoid excess moisture, which can lead to root diseases. A pot with a minimum of 12 inches in diameter will give your lavender ample room to flourish.
For the growing medium, lavender thrives in well-draining conditions. Combine potting mix with sand or perlite to facilitate this. For optimal growth, mix the two materials in equal parts.
Among lavender varieties, the English lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) is highly recommended for container culture due to its manageable size and appealing scent. Varieties such as Spanish lavender (Lavandula stoechas) and French lavender (Lavandula dentata) are also suited for pots.
To plant, fill your pot with the soil blend and position the lavender so that the crown is at soil level. Do not cover the crown with soil to prevent rot.
Lavender loves the sun, so position your pot where it can bask in at least six hours of direct sunlight daily. Water the plant only when the soil is dry to the touch to avoid overwatering.
After the bloom period, prune your lavender to keep it compact and to invigorate new growth.
Harvest the flowers shortly before they fully open for the strongest scent. Hang the cuttings in a dry, cool spot until they are completely dried out.
During cold months, protect your lavender by bringing the pot indoors or to a protected outdoor space to prevent frost damage.