What to Feed Lavender Plants in Pots

Lavender plants bring beauty and fragrance to any garden or patio, and are especially suited for container planting. However, to ensure that your lavender thrives and produces abundant blooms, it is important to provide it with the proper nutrients. Here are some tips on what to feed your lavender plants in pots.

Choose the Right Soil

The first step in feeding your lavender plants is to choose the right soil. Lavender requires well-draining soil that is high in minerals like calcium, potassium, and magnesium. A good potting soil mix for lavender should contain 50-60% inorganic material like perlite or vermiculite, along with 40-50% organic material like compost, peat moss, or coconut coir. It is also a good idea to add limestone to the soil to maintain a pH balance of between 6.5 and 7.5, which is optimal for lavender growth.

Use a Balanced Fertilizer

Lavender plants benefit from regular fertilization, but it is important to use a balanced fertilizer that contains equal parts of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. This will provide the plant with the essential nutrients needed for growth, without over-stimulating leafy growth at the expense of blooms. Choose a slow-release granular fertilizer that can be mixed into the soil at the time of planting, or applied as a top dressing every 6-8 weeks throughout the growing season.

Add Compost Tea

Compost tea is a nutrient-rich liquid fertilizer that can be used to supplement the soil and promote robust growth in lavender plants. To make compost tea, mix a cup of vermicompost or well-aged compost with a gallon of water, and let the mixture steep for several days in a warm, sunny spot. Once the tea is brewed, strain out any solids and use it to water your lavender plants. Compost tea can be used every 2-4 weeks during the growing season.

Avoid Overwatering

One of the biggest mistakes gardeners make when caring for lavender plants is overwatering. Lavender prefers soil that is dry and well-drained, and is prone to root rot if it is consistently moist. When watering your lavender plants in pots, make sure to wait until the top inch of soil is dry before watering again. When you do water, water deeply, and make sure that excess water drains away from the pot. Lavender plants in pots may need to be watered more frequently than those in the ground, but it is still important to avoid overwatering.

In Conclusion

Feeding your lavender plants in pots is an essential part of ensuring their health and vitality. By choosing the right soil, using a balanced fertilizer, supplementing with compost tea, and avoiding overwatering, you can provide your lavender with the nutrients it needs to produce abundant blooms and provide beauty and fragrance to your garden or patio.