How to Plant English Lavender in Pots

English lavender is a popular herb that is mainly known for its sweet and relaxing fragrance. Growing lavender in pots can be a wonderful addition to your home or garden. Not only does it add a touch of beauty and fragrance to your space, but it also serves as a natural repellent for pests. Here is a step-by-step guide on how you can plant English lavender in pots.

Choose the Right Pot and Soil

The first step when planting lavender in pots is choosing the right container. English lavender needs a pot that is at least 12 inches deep with good drainage holes. It is also essential to use a high-quality potting mix with good drainage to ensure the roots don't sit in water. You can add some perlite or sand to the soil mix to improve drainage further.

Prepare the Lavender Seedling

Before planting your lavender, make sure to keep them well-hydrated for a few days before transplanting. This helps ensure the lavender plant gets enough moisture to help establish itself in the new pot. Once hydrated, remove the lavender seedling from its current pot carefully. Gently loosen the roots and remove any excess soil from the rootball, if necessary.

Planting the Lavender

Once you have selected a pot and soil and prepared the lavender seedling, it's time to plant the lavender. Take your pot and fill it with soil mix up to the halfway point. Place the lavender plant in the center of the pot, then fill it with the remaining soil mix until the lavender is planted to the same depth as in its previous pot. Water the plant thoroughly after planting.

Care and Maintenance

After planting the lavender, it's essential to take care of the plant to ensure it thrives. Place the pot in a sunny location with at least six hours of direct sunlight. Lavender can tolerate some shade, but too much shade can make the plant leggy or less fragrant. Water your lavender when the soil becomes dry, but make sure the soil well-draining to keep the roots from rotting.

Feeding lavender is also essential. Fertilize the plant every four to six weeks using a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer. Be careful not to over-fertilize, as this can cause the plant to grow too much foliage and reduce flowering. Finally, pruning lavender is important to keep the plant looking neat and healthy. Cut back the stems by up to one-third in late summer to encourage new growth and blooms.

In Conclusion

In summary, growing English lavender in pots is easy and rewarding. Choosing the right pot and soil, preparing the lavender seedling, planting the lavender, and taking care of the plant is essential to ensure it thrives in your home or garden. With a little care and maintenance, you can enjoy the beautiful fragrance and stunning flowers of English lavender in your space.