How to Care for Potted Lavender Plant

Potted lavender can add a lovely fragrance and beautiful pop of color to any room or patio. However, it's essential to know how to care for them properly to keep them thriving. Here are some tips on caring for potted lavender plants:

Choose a Suitable Container

When selecting a container for your lavender, make sure it has good drainage. Lavender prefers well-draining soil, so a pot that doesn't allow for proper drainage could cause the roots to rot. An optimal option would be a terracotta pot as it's porous, which allows for air exchange, resulting in healthy root growth.

Select the Right Soil

Lavender grows best in well-draining soil with a slightly alkaline pH between 6.5 and 7.5. Avoid using heavy, clay-based soil and ensure that the soil mix you use won't hold in water for too long.

Provide Adequate Light

Lavender requires plenty of light to thrive. Place your lavender in a bright spot that receives at least six hours of direct sunlight each day. If you're growing lavender indoors, consider providing supplemental lighting with grow lights.

Water Properly

Water your potted lavender deeply once every couple of weeks rather than giving it light sprinkles of water frequently. Allow the soil to dry out between watering as lavender doesn't like to have its roots sitting in water. Be mindful not to let the soil dry out completely, as it can harm the plant. Avoid splashing water on the leaves or flowers; instead, water the soil directly to prevent fungal growth.

Prune Regularly

Pruning lavender regularly is essential to keep it compact and maintain its shape. You should prune your lavender after flowering, cutting back any dead flowers and trimming back some stems to keep the plant from becoming too woody. You can also prune the plant after the first flush of blooms to encourage a second round of flowering.

Fertilize Sparingly

Lavender requires little fertilization to survive. If you fertilize it too frequently, it can lead to excessive growth, resulting in leggy and less fragrant plants. With that in mind, adding an all-purpose fertilizer once every few months will provide enough nutrients to keep your lavender healthy and vibrant.

Conclusion

If you follow these tips, you can keep your potted lavender plant healthy and beautiful for years to come. Remember that potted lavender requires a balance of careful attention and neglect in equal measure. Too much care can prove harmful; therefore, it's essential to provide it with the basic needs and let nature take its course.