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Care and Growing Guide (Watering, Pruning and More)

A lavender tree is a beautiful tall lavender plant with aromatic gray-green leaves and clusters of fragrant purple flowers growing on erect stems. Also called lavender topiary, the plant is a traditional lavender shrub trained to grow as a tree. Lavender trees are ideal for growing in pots indoors or outdoors. Growing tall in pots, a lavender tree fills rooms or gardens with heavenly aromas and beautiful purple and green colors.

Growing a potted lavender tree requires regular pruning but minimal care. The bushy lavender tree with its upward growing leafy stems and purple blooms requires plenty of sunlight, little watering, and average soil. Therefore, caring for a lavender tree is relatively straightforward if you get these factors right.

This article is a complete guide to growing a lavender tree in your home or garden. You will also find helpful tips on caring for a potted lavender topiary tree so that it thrives for many years.

What is a Lavender Tree (Lavender Topiary)?

Lavender tree is a traditional lavender shrub trained to grow as a ‘tree’

A lavender tree is the classic lavender plant pruned and trained to grow tall. Lavender topiary fans commonly use Spanish lavender to create lavender trees that grow in pots.

Lavender trees can grow 2 to 3 ft. (0.6 – 1 m) tall. However, depending on the pot size, the purple flowering tree can seem taller. The bushy lavender crown can measure up to 2 ft. (0.6 m) wide. However, pruning fragrant leafy stems and purple flowering spikes can help to manage its size.

A lavender tree has a bare wooden stem topped with a bushy crown of grayish-green slender lavender leaves. When in bloom, the lavender tree has a mass of purplish or lilac conical or cylindrical spikes growing on tall stems.

If you care well for a lavender tree, it can grow for around five years.

The benefit of growing a lavender tree is that you can enjoy all the wonderful features of the classic lavender shrub —beauty, aroma, and attractive purple or lilac flowers. However, a lavender tree is more versatile and ideal for container gardens, patios, balconies, or beside a sunny window indoors.

Lavender trees are evergreen purple perennials that come back year after year. In USDA zones 7 through 9, lavender trees grow outdoors throughout the year. Spanish lavender trees won’t perform well in colder regions. Therefore, the low-maintenance shrub may need overwintering indoors to prevent frost damage.

How to Grow a Lavender Topiary Tree

The easiest way to grow a lavender tree is to buy a small plant from a nursery and prune the stems to develop a tree-like shape. You should remove the side stems, leaving the strongest central stem to form into a tree. You can also start lavender topiary by growing the tree from cuttings.

To start growing a lavender tree, trim out the plant’s lower side shoots and stems. You should then be left with the main shoot or stem with leafy growth further up. Next, place a bamboo supporting cane in the pot and tie the small lavender tree to it.

After pruning the lavender plant into a tree shape, the next step is to care for it well so that it grows into a two or three-foot tree. Ideally, the pot for a lavender tree must have drainage holes and should be 2” (5 cm) larger than the root ball. This prevents too much moisture from damaging the lavender tree’s roots.

How to Care for a Lavender Tree

Grow a lavender tree in well-draining soil amended with perlite for extra drainage. Growing indoors or outdoors, place the lavender tree pot in full sun, so it gets at least six hours of sunlight daily. Water the potting mix when the top 1” (2.5 cm) of soil is dry.

Regular lavender tree care also involves regular pruning. After the tree is established in a pot, you need to trim stems that begin to dangle down. You can also encourage bushier growth by cutting back a few inches of stems but avoid cutting any woody parts.

Growing Potted Lavender Tree Indoors

To care for a lavender tree indoors, grow the potted lavender plant near a window that gets four hours of direct sunlight daily. Plant in well-draining, loamy potting mix, and water the lavender tree when the top layer of soil dries. Keep humidity low and average room temperature for best growth.

Here are some tips on growing a lavender tree in pots at home:

Caring For Lavender Tree Outdoors

To grow a potted lavender tree outdoors, place the plant in a sunny spot where it gets six to eight hours of sunlight. Use a sandy potting mix that drains quickly and add a tablespoon of lime. Check the soil regularly and water thoroughly when the top 1” (2.5 cm) is dry.

If you live in zones 7 to 10, a lavender tree will perform well growing in the ground. The planting area must be well-draining, and a raised bed is ideal for growing a lavender tree. The soil should be slightly alkaline and be low to moderately fertile. Only water the lavender tree enough to keep the soil moist without becoming overly damp.

How to Overwinter Lavender Tree Indoors & Outdoors

Taking the potted lavender tree indoors is usually recommended during harsh winters. Lavender grows best in the heat. Therefore, in colder climates — zones 6 and below — you’ll need to overwinter a lavender tree indoors.

When the outside daytime temperature drops below 60°F (15°C), bring the potted lavender tree indoors for a few hours and place it near a sunny window. Repeat this process for a week, gradually increasing the time. This helps the tree adjust to new conditions. Then after a week, you can keep the lavender tree indoors in a sunny location.

To care for a lavender tree overwintering indoors, only water the plant occasionally. The goal is to prevent the potting soil from completely drying out. You should also rotate the plant by one quarter every week to provide enough sunlight and air.

In spring, when the risk of frost has passed, you can start to acclimatize the lavender tree by moving it outdoors. You should take the potted lavender plant outside for a few hours each day, place it in a sunny spot, and protect it from the wind. After a week, you can leave the lavender tree to grow outside.

Lavender Tree Care Guide

Let’s look in more detail at how to care for a lavender tree.

Where to Grow Lavender Topiary Tree

Lavender is native to the Mediterranean region and needs plenty of sunlight and relatively arid conditions to thrive. When choosing where to grow a lavender tree, select the sunniest spot in your home or garden. Too much shade will result in leggy growth and no flowers.

Another consideration when choosing the ideal spot to grow a lavender topiary tree is air circulation. To avoid foliar fungal growth or other humidity-related issues, make sure plenty of air can circulate around the plant.

Where to grow a lavender tree indoors: Place the potted lavender tree beside a south-facing or west-facing window so that it gets four hours of sunlight. Ensure the room is well-ventilated and temperatures are at least 70°F (21°C) during the day and between 50°F and 55°F (10°C – 13°C) at night.

Where to grow a lavender tree outdoors: Put the lavender tree pot in the sunniest part of your garden. As long as the foliage has enough air circulation, you shouldn’t have to worry about humidity. However, in warm, humid climates, you should ensure plenty of airflow around the plant.

The Best Potting Mix for Growing a Lavender Tree

A lavender tree grows best in a well-drained, loamy or sandy soil that is slightly alkaline. Combine two parts of potting soil, one part gravel, and one part perlite. Then add a tablespoon of garden lime to create a somewhat alkaline mix. This type of potting soil is similar to the soil conditions where lavender plants grow.

When to Plant a Lavender Tree

The best time to plant a lavender tree in the ground is in mid-spring. You can transfer a lavender tree from the pot to your garden during April and May. At this time, the ground is warm enough, and the roots will have time to establish themselves. Apart from planting in a sunny location, you must ensure the soil is well-draining.

To check if the ground is suitable for a lavender tree, dig a hole 12” (30 cm) deep and wide. Fill with water and allow it to drain. After 12 hours, refill the hole with water and time how quickly it drains. If the water disappears in 2 to 3 hours, the site is suitable for a lavender tree.

How to Water Lavender Tree

The best way to water a lavender tree growing in pots is to drench the potting soil when it is partially dry. The goal of watering a lavender topiary tree is to ensure the soil is consistently moist but never too damp. To test the soil, poke your finger into it. If the soil is dry to a depth of 1” (2. 5 cm), you can water the lavender tree.

The two worst watering mistakes to make with a lavender tree are overwatering it and letting the soil completely dry out. Too much water will cause root rot, and your once beautiful tree will die. Too little water will result in yellow lavender leaves and weak growth.

Top tip when watering a lavender tree outside: Lavender trees growing in pots outdoors dry out faster than in the home. Therefore, you should check the potting soil frequently during hot weather and water as necessary.

Pruning a Lavender Topiary Tree

Proper care of a lavender topiary tree requires regular pruning. Every spring, cut back about one-third of the stems to encourage bushy growth and prolific flowering. In addition, trim of lavender stems that droop to keep the tree-like appearance. This is because lavender tree stems tend to dangle down.

Here are a few pruning tips for growing a lavender tree:

Fertilizing a Lavender Tree

Lavender trees growing in pots grow well in poor to moderately fertile soil. If the tree gets enough sunlight and occasional watering, a lavender plant can grow well without additional fertilization. However, you can apply a diluted fertilizer in early spring and late fall to encourage healthy growth.

Applying too much fertilizer to a potted lavender tree inhibits flowering and encourages leafy growth.

Repotting a Lavender Tree

Lavender trees perform well when slightly rootbound, so you don’t need to repot a lavender tree often. Instead, you can repot a lavender tree every two or three years.

When repotting a lavender topiary tree, always replace the potting mix with a well-draining, slightly alkaline soil. Also, choose a pot that is 1” or 2” (2.5 – 5 cm) larger than its current one.

Because lavender trees can become top-heavy, choosing a sturdy pot that will support its weight is vital. Therefore, to prevent a 3-foot (1 m) lavender tree from toppling over, choose a heavy cache pot made from clay or terracotta. Then you can put the planting pot inside the larger, heavier pot.

Learn about the most beautiful types of lavender plants and how to grow them.

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Read Next

13 Lavender Tree Care Mistakes (How to Care for Lavender Tree the Right Way)

Are you a lavender tree lover, but you find that you must be making some lavender tree care mistakes, because your plants aren’t as healthy as they could be?

Perhaps you have always wanted to plant one, but you are afraid you may not have the right growing conditions to allow the plant to thrive?

And, just what is a Lavender tree and what’s the best way to take care of it?

Many people want to grow lavender but aren’t sure where to start. This complete guide outlines everything you ever wanted to know about Lavender Tree care, so you’ll be able to get started right away.

Lavender Tree

(Lavandula)

IUCN Red List of Threatened Species Ranking

Least Concern

Lavender Plant: Tree or Flower? (What’s the Difference Between Lavender and a Lavender Tree?)

Lavender is beloved around the world for it’s soothing, wonderful scent, but the plant itself is technically a shrub.

It has gray-green leaves and aroma, the purple flowers grow in clusters and on straight, woody stems.

A Lavender tree is the shrub, but it grown as a topiary, or shaped in the same way you would learn how to trim a bonsai tree.

You can grow it for several reasons, and most people choose lavender trees for their beauty, scent, and calming presence.

Related Reading: How to care for a Bonsai tree

Is a Lavender Tree the Same as a Jacaranda Tree?

No, a lavender tree is not the same as a Jacaranda Tree, although it is often called that because of the lavender colored flowers that hand gracefully from the branches.

The origin of lavender is in the Mediterranean. That’s why it mainly flourishes in the temperate regions of the world. Zone 5 can be tricky for it because it may find it too cold in the winter, but there are species that can still be grown.

If grown in zone 5, it must withstand temperatures of -10 to -20 Fahrenheit (-23 to -29 degrees Celsius).5 Most lavender varieties are English and French, and only the former can survive in extreme cold. However, there are French hybrids that can also survive in zone 5 regions.

How To Care for Lavender Plants in Pots

The soil must be well-drained, and you can add perlite for extra drainage.3 Whether you place it indoors or outdoors, make sure it can access full sun. Prune it regularly and trim it when it is established.

13 Lavender Tree Care Mistakes That People Commonly Make

Here are the things that people need to avoid in growing lavender trees.

Mistake #1: Improper Pruning

Most people neglect to properly prune their lavenders, and they end up looking woody and spindly with dead flowers.

Lavender Tree Pruning

It depends on the type of lavender that you have, but it is generally advised that you should do this at least twice a year. But don’t prune below the woody section of the stem because this may induce its death, especially during the winter because it won’t be able to protect itself.

How To Prune Lavender Tree After a Harvest

Use shears or scissors to cut off the branches.

Don’t prune the woody region. Leave green on the stems. Do this twice a year to keep the plant healthy.8

Mistake #2: Forgetting To Consider the Climate

Like an oak tree, they prefer well-drained soil and full sun. They grow in a warm, arid, and sunny climate. There are several species that favor other climates, such as the Portuguese lavender, which prefers dry and warm conditions like its original habitat, which is the Mediterranean.

Lavender Tree Zone

They generally thrive in zones 5 to 9. English lavender is hardy to winter and can survive in zone 5, but French and English lavenders thrive in zone 8.

Mistake #3: Incorrect Soil

It prefers well-drained soil. It does not like wet and nutritious soils. Also, consider lean, calciferous soils.

Mistake #4: Fertilizing

Don’t put too much fertilizer in the soil. It will make them grow excessively with unnatural luxuriance. The flowers will also become lazy.

Avoid fertilizers at all or put as little as possible.

Mistake #5: Overwatering

Don’t overwater your lavender because it will become droopy. It thrives in well-drained soil.

If you live in a rainy location, plant it on top of a small mound of soil because this will encourage drainage.

Mistake #6: Forgetting the Old Flowers

You should never forget the ‘deadhead’ old flowers. You must always remove them so that you give them room to keep on blossoming.

Mistake #7: Forgetting To Check for Fungal Diseases

This is especially important if you grow it in a wet region or one with extra humidity.

It is susceptible to fungal diseases like root rot, phytophthora, and ‘shab. ’

Mistake #8: Insufficient Space Between the Plants

Lavender plants need between 2 and 4 feet in each direction. It ensures that they have enough sun and space to spread their roots.

Mistake #9: Not Protecting From Hard Frosts

When it is dormant, it can handle up to -200F. However, most species handle between 200F and 300F. You must protect them from extreme cold weather.

Mistake #10: Choosing the Wrong Lavender for Your Climate

Most lavender species survive in zones 4-10. However, there are others that are sensitive to frost and can’t handle humidity and heat.

Therefore, choose wisely.

Mistake #11: Insufficient Sun

It craves sunlight.1 You must expose it to the sun between 8 and 10 hours a day. Without it, it will die.

Mistake #12: Cutting Woody Parts

You can do this accidentally. It will damage and eventually kill your lavender.

Mistake #13: Growing It in Poor-Draining Soil

This is the most common mistake that people make. You must remember that lavenders prefer high-draining soil. Waterlogged or soggy soils lead to fungal diseases and root rot.

Ancient Practices of the Lavender Tree

In ancient times, Egyptians used lavender in the process of embalming. They wrapped the deceased in lavender-socked shrouds.

In AD 77, it is documented that the Romans used it to soothe insect bites and repel them as well. You can still add a sachet of lavender to your sheets, towels, or attire to repel moths, especially when you go camping.

What Today’s Scientists Have Proven?

The lavender herb has been proven to have calming effects.

If you suffer from insomnia, you can slip a sachet of lavender into your pillow and it will calm you and help you to sleep.4 The oil naturally induces sleep.7

20 Different Types of Lavender Trees

There are weird trees in this world that could as well be from Mars. But lavender is not one of them. Over 39 species of this tree exist, but this list consists of only the 20 most common ones.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

#1 Lavandula X Intermedia ‘Hidecote Giant’ (Hidecote Giant)

It is unusual and has a plump, big and thick spike of flowers. It is mostly found in zones 5 to 8 and grows up to 3 feet (60 – 90 centimeters) tall. Its flowers may be magenta or purple.

#2 Lavandula X Intermedia ‘Phenomenal’ (Phenomenal)

It is luxurious, rich, and dense. It has a topmost flagrant and will give you violet purple thick shrubs and flower spikes. It grows in zones 5 to 9, is between 2 and 3 feet tall, and flowers from mid-summer to fall.

#3 Lavandula X Intermedia ‘Groso’ (Grosso)

It is good for covering slopes because it is a vigorous and fast grower. It is elegant and mostly grows between zones 5 to 8. Its average height is 2-3 feet, and flowers from mid to late summer.

#4 Lavandula X Intermedia ‘Provence” (Provence)

It grows in all regions associated with lavender. It can grow in zones 5 to 8, with an average height of 2-3 feet. Its flowering season is from mid-to late-summer.

#5 Lavandula X Intermedia (Lavandin)

It is the most fragrant lavender. It is a hybrid of English lavender and Portuguese lavender.

The flower colors could be lilac, blue, or violet, and it has a strong soapy smell. Its herbal overtone is sometimes minty, and the flower spikes can sometimes be in groups of 3.6

#6 Lavandula Latifolia (Portuguese Lavender)

Its flowers are typically purple with regular spikes. Its smell is elegant, but its shrubs come in large clumps of silver-green leaves.

It can grow in zones 6-9 with an average height of 12-30 inches (30 – 80 centimeters). It mainly blooms between June and September.

#7 Lavandula Dentata (Fringed Lavender)

It has a weak scent but with beautiful purple flowers. It also has silver-green leaves and can grow between zones 8 to 10. Its average height is 24 to 48 inches (60 – 120 centimeters), but it can flower all-round the year, with its peak either in early winter or in fall.

 

 

#8 Lavandula Pedunculata Subsp. Pedunculata (Butterfly Lavender ‘Papillon’)

It is a lesser species but has ears and bracts that are also found in French lavender. It mostly says that “I’m different.”

It grows in zones 9 to 11, with an average height of 1 to 2 feet (30 – 60 centimeters). In some climates, it flowers all around the year, but mainly between May and the end of summer.

#9 Lavandula Stoechas’ Pretty Polly’ (Pretty Polly French Lavender)

It has long ears and top spikes, mostly growing in zones 8 to 9. It can grow to between 1 and 2 feet tall and blossoms three times a year between mid-spring and late summer.

#10 Lavandula Angustifolia (‘Hidecote’ English Lavender)

It is the most popular English lavender. It has dark purple flowers and a very strong scent.

It only blooms once a year, from late spring to early summer8

It survives in zones 5 to 9, can grow to between 1 and 2 feet tall, and has a flowering season from late spring to mid-summer.

#11 Lavandula Stoechaas ‘With Love’ (French Lavender ‘With Love’)

When you see it, the words that will come to your mind will include “class” and “elegance.” It is extremely beautiful, with unusual green foliage. It has short and plump spikes of cerise-purple ears.5

The veins in them are a bright magenta, white, and delicate pink. It survives in zones 6 to 10, can grow to between 1 and 2 feet tall, and has a flowering season between mid-spring and fall. It blooms thrice a year.

 

#12 Lavandula Angustifolia ‘Alba Nana’ (‘Alba Nana’ English Lavender)

It is a “dwarf dawn” variety. It has candid white blooms with a soothing scent. Its small size makes it perfect for terraces, patio gardens, and pots.

It can grow in zones 5 to 9, with an average height of 10 and 12 inches (25 – 30 centimeters). It blooms once a year between mid- and late-summer.

#13 Lavandula Angustifolia’ Royal Velvet’ (‘Royal Velvet’ English Lavender)

It grows uprightly and can fill flower beds, containers, and hedges. It has a richness of scent with a depth of color. Its flowers are dark violet to navy blue.

 

It’s hardy to zones 5 to 9, and can grow to between 2 and 3 feet. It usually blooms only once a year in late spring but can do so more times if you trim the flowers after each bloom.

#14 Lavandula Angustifolia’ Little Lottie’ (‘Little Lottie’ English Lavender)

It can come in two colors; either in light or white magenta. It is hard to zone 5 to 9 and can grow to between 1 and 2 feet tall. It usually blooms in late spring but can do it in early and late summer.

#15 Lavandula Angustifolia ‘Folgate’ (‘Folgate’ English Lavender)

It has purple flowers and thick blooms. It is hardy to zones 5 to 9, can grow to between 2 and 3 feet, and blooms between mid-to-late spring.

 

 

#16 Lavandula Angustifolia ‘Thumbelina Leigh’ (‘Thumbelina Leigh’ English Lavender)

Its inflorescences are thick and short, and its flowers are few. The stems are plump and violet.

It’s hardy to zones 5 to 9 and can grow to between 10 and 12 inches (25-30 centimeters). It mostly blooms once a year between early- to mid-summer. But it can do so more times if you prune the spent flowers early.

#17 Lavandula Angustifolia ‘Rosea’ (Pink English Lavender)

It has an extremely calming fragrance with pink flowers. It’s hardy to zones 5 to 9 and can grow between 2 and 3 feet high. It only blooms once a year, from late spring to early summer.

#18 Lavandula Angustifolia ‘Munstead’ (‘Munstead’ English Lavender)

It has ‘noble’ or ‘royal’ origins because it was introduced in the English Palace in 1916 by Gertrude Jekyll. It has five clear petals with compact flowers that have a rosy purple shade.

It is hardy to zones 5 to 9 and can grow to between 1 and 2 feet tall. It blooms once a year from late spring to early mid-summer.

#19 Lavandula Stoechas ‘Anouk’ (French Lavender ‘Anouk’)

Its flowers contain a beautiful shade of magenta. Its ears pop.5

It’s hardy to zones 6 to 10 and can grow to between 1 and 2 feet. It blooms thrice a year from mid-spring to late summer and may even do it in fall.

 

#20 Lavendula Stoechas ‘Ballerina’ (‘Ballerina’ French Lavender)

It is slow and has upright stems. Its flowers are violet-purple, and its ears are elegant, big, and white.

It’s hardy to zones 8 to 9, can grow to between 1 and 2 feet tall, and usually flowers once a year. This can be from mid-spring to late September or in May, June, August, or September.

The Most Common Varieties of Lavender in the United States

With so many diverse tree species, have you ever wondered how many trees are in the United States and how many varieties of lavender trees are there? There are 6 most popular lavender varieties grown in the United States. They include;

English Lavender Tree

This is one of the most popular lavender species not just in the US but also in other regions of the world. It thrives in well-drained soil of 6.5 – 7.5 pH. It also needs full sun.6

Its suitable climates range from zones 5 to 10 on the USDFA hardiness scale. Since its germination is slow, it cannot perform in water-logged soils.

If you want to start new plants, put the cuttings in sterile moist sandy soil, 3 – 4 inches apart. Make sure that the frame is cold and it has lath protection.

The most recommended varieties include Hidcote, Munstead, Hidcote Pink, and English. Others are Lady, Vera, Sarah, and Jean Davis.

Lavender Tree: Sun or Shade

You should plant your lavender trees in spots that get at least 6 – 8 hours of sunlight.

There should not be a shade.

Lavender Tree Care Tips

Lavender is not one of the 8 endangered tree species helping fight climate change, but you need to take good care of it well if you plant it. To do it in the best way possible, you must grow it in well-draining soil. You can amend the soil with perlite to give it extra drainage.

Whether you are growing it indoors or outdoors, ensure it has access to full sun (at least 6 hours a day).

Regular care involves regular pruning. When it is established in a pot, trim the stems that start to dangle. But you can encourage bushy growth by not cutting down its woody parts but cutting a few inches of the stems.

If you need an expert to trim the trees, you might want to use a tree-trimming cost calculator to get a price estimate. You will need to specify the required information to get the most accurate result.

Even though maintaining a tree can be intensive, the benefits to our ecosystem make it worthwhile. Do you have a general idea of how many trees offset carbon emissions? We do need a lot, and planting just one tree can help.

Standard Lavender Tree Care

Never overwater your lavender tree, but keep its soil consistently moist without allowing it to over-dry. It should be at least 1 inch in depth dry between watering.

Frequently prune it to maintain its shape. You can use scissors or ikebana-type shears. In warm zones, keep it outdoors all year, but if you live in cold zones, keep it indoors during winter.

How To Care for Lavender Tree: Outdoors

This plant loves and needs full sun and warm temperatures. They do extremely well in rocky bluffs that overlook the Mediterranean and thrive well in similar climates.

You can plant it in containers or on the ground. Although most of them are hardy in zone 5, some types do well in zones 7 – 9.

Almost all parts of the plant are high above the ground, but you need extra protection for it during the winter.

Costco Lavender Tree Care

Recently, Costco began to sell the most beautiful potted lavender trees. Caring for them does not require special attention. Just ensure that they get a lot of sun.

They also need a lot of heat. Therefore, you can put them alongside objects that retain a lot of heat, such as a long wall or stone, or even a sidewalk. You can also place it around a concrete poolside.

Lavender Tree Winter Care

During winter, the plant is undergoing a period of dormancy.

Therefore, water it less; keep it in a non-freezing and cool location with sufficient air circulation.

How To Trim a Lavender Patio Tree

Use ikebana-type shears or scissors for easier trimming.2 After flowering, snip all flower stems but don’t cut into the woody parts.

How To Prune Lavender for Winter

Try to make the dome-shaped, but leave the stems longer, especially in the middle parts. Make them gradually shorter as you move toward the outer edges.

How To Prune Lavender in the Spring

You should do this to minimize the development of woody stems and ensure that it has time to reestablish themselves. Don’t cut the stems too far down. You should cut it 2 – 3 inches above the woody base.

Prune the outer stems a little shorter than the inner ones if you want to have a nice rounded shape. Completely remove any diseased, frost-damaged, or dead parts.

Pruning Lavender in Summer

Take some best snips and use them as cuttings to begin new plants.

When you do it in late – summer or early – fall, cut back at least a third of the plant. Ensure that you get a pleasant shape.

If you live in a cold region, do not run during early fall because you may cause it to frost damage.

How To Prune Spanish Lavender

Following its first flush of flowers, prune at least a third of the plant. Harvest the sweet-smelling flower buds, and trim them again when the second flush fades.

How To Prune English Lavender

Do it immediately after the first flowering and again after the fading of the second flush. Cut about two-thirds of its height, or just above the bottom, two sets of leaves on every stem. Don’t cut the woody part because this will cause damage.

Do this twice a year to keep it compact and healthy.

Pruning Lavender Twice a Year

This is the best way to take care of a lavender tree. You should do it first in early spring, then in late summer after it is done blooming.

Potted Lavender Tree

Potted lavender trees are commonly known as lavender topiary. They are mainly Spanish lavender and can grow to between 2 and 3 feet tall. This depends on pot size because it can grow taller than this.

It has a bare wooden stem with a bushy crown. Its leaves are grayish-green. When it blooms, the cylindrical or conical spikes become purple.

The most important benefit of the potted lavender tree is that you can enjoy the attractive flowers, aroma, and beauty for at least 5 years.

It is versatile and ideal for balconies, patios, gardens, and even your sunny window.

They don’t perform well in cold regions but have low maintenance requirements.

Growing Lavender in Pots

First, buy a small plant from the nursery and prune its stems to develop a good shape. Remove the side stems and leave the central ones to form the tree. You can also grow it from cuttings.

Trim out its lower side stems and shoots and leave the main ones. Place a bamboo cane to support it in the pot and tie the small lavender to it.

Care for it well so that it grows into a 2- to 3-foot tree. Ensure that the drainage holes are larger than the root ball. This prevents too much moisture.

How To Care for a Lavender Tree

Do not overwater it. Prune it at least twice a year, and make sure it has access to the sun.

How To Care for a Small Lavender Tree

Make sure that it has well-draining soil. Also, maintain the way you would maintain a big lavender tree by pruning it at least twice a year and not overwatering it. Don’t also use fertilizer on its soil.

How To Care for a Lavender Tree Outside

Place it in a spot that has full sunlight. You can use a sandy mixture of soil to make it well-draining. You can also add a teaspoon of lime.

Lavender Tree Care Indoors

Position it in a place on the window that has at least 3 – 4 hours of sunlight per day. Only water it when the top inch of the soil is dry and put little to no fertilizer on it. Make sure that the room you put it in has moderate temperatures and low humidity.

There are a lot of trees in the world, but what percentage of individuals do you believe actively plant trees with the intention of protecting the environment? You are already helping the environment by doing a study on the various lavender tree varieties available to you. By trying the ecological footprint quiz, you may go a little further and determine whether you’ll need one of the carbon credit providers for the tree planting offset project you have in mind.

Let’s all agree that we make many mistakes when growing trees. And while we can’t do the kind of projects that 8 Billion Trees is doing all over the world to reduce global warming, we can contribute our two cents worth, such as caring for the trees we grow in the right way.

And if you are a lavender grower, or at least you want to be, this starts with you recognizing the 13 common mistakes and caring for your lavender tree the right way.

Read More About: Forest Carbon Offsets

Frequently Asked Questions About Lavender Tree Care

What Is Wrong With My Lavender?

There are several common reasons why Lavender plants die. They include over-fertilization, improper watering, and acidic soil pH. Other reasons are inadequate sunlight, pests, and diseases.

How Do You Look After a Lavender Tree?

Since it is a Mediterranean tree, it needs fast-draining soil and a lot of sunlight. It can’t survive in extremely cold, damp, or shady conditions. Its preference is moderately fertile, dry, or poor soil, including those that are alkaline and chalky.

How Do You Revive a Dying Lavender Tree?

You can only transfer it to a pot and put it where there is a lot of sunlight. Even in winter, these plants require sunlight.

How Does Overwatered Lavender Look?

Overwatered Lavender has yellowish leaves. It may also drop, have an odor, and cause sodden soil.

How Does Underwatered Lavender Look?

It droops, but the soil is dried out.

How Do I Know That My Lavender Is Dying?

The stems will droop, and the foliage will turn brown.

Can Dead Lavender Come Back?

No. Remove and burn diseased plants. Replant them immediately in the fall and wait until spring because they take 8-10 weeks to get established.

Are Lavender Plants Easy to Maintain?

Yes. They only need well-drained soil and a lot of sun.

Does Lavender Spread?

Yes, in terms of vegetative growth. They can also spread by seed dispersal, but this is almost negligible.

Are Lavender Trees Perennials? (Is Lavender Tree Perennial?)

What Is Lavender Tree Size? (What Is Lavender Tree Height?)

2-3 feet (0.6-1 meter) tall.

Is Lavender Tree Outdoor?

Yes, especially if they are hardy in your growing zone.

Can You Grow Lavender Tree Indoors?

Yes. Because it needs low maintenance and attention and does well in pots.

Can Lavender Survive Winter in Pots?

Spanish and French Lavenders cannot survive winter in pots. They must be indoors for protection. English Lavenders, on the other hand, can survive winter in pots because they tolerate cold weather and frosts.

Does Lavender Come Back Every Year?

Yes. This will happen for between 3 and 5 years.

Can Lavender Tree Survive Winter?

Yes. English Lavender trees survive winters. But French and Spanish Lavenders do not.

Is a Lavender Tree an Outdoor or Indoor Plant?

In most cases, it is an outdoor plant. But it can also be grown indoors.

Are Lavender Trees Toxic to Dogs?

Yes. It has linalool, which can be toxic to animals, including cats and dogs. However, this compound exists in such small proportions that its toxicity is rare.

How Often Does Lavender Tree Bloom?

Twice in a season.

What if You Don't Prune Lavender?

It becomes woody and leggy and won’t be able to hold its weight.

Do Lavender Trees Bloom All Summer?

Some are regarded as summer bloomers, but others do it in early spring. Others bloom between midsummer and late summer, while others almost continuously from spring to the end of summer.

Is Lavender Poisonous?

Not to adults. But it can cause a reaction in children, which is majorly because of allergic reactions to the skin.

Can You Smoke Lavender?

Yes, the same way you do tobacco. Most people add cannabis, tobacco, or other herbs to it and smoke it.

What Does Lavender Do When You Smoke It?

If you do it with cannabis, it can be a pain reliever and muscle relaxer. Both cannabis and lavender have terpene Linalool that relaxes the body and mind.

Can You Eat Lavender?

Yes, you can add it when dried or fresh for its gorgeous color and flavor.

Can You Drink Lavender Tea?

Yes. It is a great way to unwind after a very tough day and relax.

Learn More About Lavender Tree

References

1Adam, K. (2006). Lavender Production, Products, Markets, and Entertainment Farms. Wnc.edu. Retrieved September 7, 2022, from <https://www.wnc.edu/files/departments/ce/sci/attralavender.pdf>

2Government of Canada. (2022). Specialty Cropportunities – Lavender. Omafra.gov.on.ca. Retrieved September 7, 2022, from <http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/CropOp/en/herbs/lavender.html>

3Kimbrough, K., & Swift, C. (2022). Growing Lavender in Colorado. Extension.colostate.edu. Retrieved September 7, 2022, from <https://extension.colostate.edu/docs/pubs/garden/07245.pdf>

4Koulivand, P., Ghadiri, M., & Gorji, A. (2013). Lavender and the Nervous System. National Library of Medicine (NIH). Retrieved September 7, 2022, from <https://www.ncbi. nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3612440/>

5North Carolina State University. (2022). Lavender: History, Taxonomy, and Production. Newcropsorganics.ces.ncsu.edu. Retrieved September 7, 2022, from <https://newcropsorganics.ces.ncsu.edu/herb/lavender-history-taxonomy-and-production/>

6Utah University. (2022). English Lavender in the Garden. Extension.usu.edu. Retrieved September 7, 2022, from <https://extension.usu.edu/yardandgarden/research/english-lavender-in-the-garden>

7Zheljazkov, D., Cantrell, C., Astatkie, T., & Jeliazkova, E. (2022). lavender essential oils: Topics by Science.gov. Science.gov. Retrieved September 7, 2022, from <https://www.science.gov/topicpages/l/lavender+essential+oils>

8Government of Canada. (2022). Growing Lavender in Ontario: An Introduction for Prospective Growers. Omafra.gov.on.ca. Retrieved October 12, 2022, from <http://omafra.gov.on.ca/english/crops/facts/18-017.htm>

Wintering lavender: how to cover lavender for the winter

October 27, 2021

Lavender is a heat-loving plant that can hardly tolerate snowless cold winters. Gardeners should properly prepare the shrub for the cold to reduce the risk of freezing. Do I need to cover lavender for the winter in the open field?



Preparing lavender for winter

Among the mandatory procedures for crops in the fall are weeding, removal of plant debris, loosening, followed by mulching the soil. Loosening is necessary to increase air exchange, reduce the likelihood of root rot. Further mulching of the soil will keep the roots of the plant from freezing and drying out. Straw, needles are poured in a layer of 10-12 cm. Do not use leaf litter and sawdust, as they contribute to the decay of lavender and its death.

Lavender pruning

After flowering is over, the plant is pruned. Autumn pruning is needed not only to maintain the decorativeness of the bush, but also to reduce the risk of freezing in winter. Long shoots of shrubs are most susceptible to freezing, especially when there is insufficient shelter. Such stems are the most fragile, easily broken by gusts of wind. Cut lavender in early autumn, choosing the method you like:

1. Shaping cut. The shoots of the plant are cut to the desired height, forming a bush in the form of a ball or in another way.

2. Heavy pruning. Leave only 3-6 cm of shoot above the surface. Even with minimal snow cover, such a plant will overwinter without loss.

Late pruning weakens the bush, so it should not be carried out just before the frost.



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Lavender supplement

Lavender seedlings for the winter must be fed with compounds containing phosphorus and potassium. These substances increase the winter hardiness of the bush, increase the immunity of the plant. Nitrogen top dressing stimulates new vegetation, they can not be applied from the second half of summer. Unripe shoots are most susceptible to freezing, this will weaken the lavender bush. Top dressing can be combined with loosening, embedding fertilizer in the soil. You can use water-soluble formulations that are diluted according to the instructions and used for irrigation. The soil should be well moistened before fertilizing so that the roots do not get burned.


How to cover lavender for the winter

Some gardeners mistakenly believe that the crop does not overwinter in the open field, dig up the plant and grow it in a pot culture in winter. Lavender tolerates low temperatures well, but young bushes can freeze in snowless winters. Therefore, sheltering plants in the first years is mandatory.


With heavy pruning, mulch will act as cover. It will prevent freezing of the root system. With high pruning in cold regions, cover with agrofibre and spruce branches is recommended.


Many gardeners do not know how to understand that lavender seedlings have overwintered. With weak pruning, young shoots start to grow when other plants are already in full bloom. And if a strong pruning is carried out, then the awakening of the plant will be delayed. You should not rush and dig up a bush with the onset of heat.



Successful wintering of lavender in the garden directly depends on the region of cultivation, the correct planting and care of the plant. A healthy plant in the new season will delight with lush flowering and high decorativeness. You can choose healthy lavender seedlings in the Agro-Market online store

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Keywords: Gardening

Autumn lavender - care and reproduction.

Pruning and shelter for the winter. Photo — Botanichka

In the south of Europe there are entire plantations of lavender, grown mainly for cosmetic purposes. Lavender angustifolia ( Lavandula angustifolia ), which is also called English - a frost-resistant and unpretentious plant, grows with pleasure on poor soils. Therefore, today it can be increasingly found in our summer cottages. In this article I will tell you what autumn lavender care activities should be carried out. I will also share my experience of propagating lavender in the fall.

Lavender in autumn - care and reproduction

Pruning lavender in autumn

In autumn, around mid-October, it is imperative to prune lavender. And if in the spring it is sanitary in nature (it is necessary to remove dry, broken branches), then in the fall, firstly, I shorten the branches for a decorative purpose, and secondly, so that they do not break under the weight of snow in winter. If the bush is old, then this is also a rejuvenating procedure.

I do not do autumn pruning of very young lavender bushes. Only when they reach 2 years of age.

Any mature lavender bush has woody, dry parts at the bottom and green parts at the top. I cut the branches, stepping back about 5 cm from the lignified part. The bush after such a haircut will look very modest, but it will become lush and will bloom profusely next year.

Can be cut higher, especially if you feel sorry for the bush. But remember that over time, the green parts will also become stiff and the bush will take on an untidy look. He, instead of a ball, will fall apart to the sides. Then you will have to carry out anti-aging pruning - cut the bush very shortly, 5-10 cm from the surface of the earth along lignified stems, and lavender does not tolerate this procedure.

I use pruning shears for pruning, but many people find it convenient to do this with garden shears.

I don't throw away the rest of the lavender branches. They have almost the same intense smell as flowers, so they still come in handy. I dry them. And then you can make ikebana out of them. And if you fill bags (sachets) with them and put them in a closet, then moths will not start there.

Lavandula angustifolia, before pruning. © Olga Olshanskaya Lavandula angustifolia after pruning. © Olga Olshanskaya

Soil care

The next thing to take care of before the winter sleep of lavender is the soil where it grows. Lavender likes slightly alkaline or neutral soil, loose, with good drainage. Lavender does not tolerate excess moisture, it can get sick from this and die. Therefore, you need to take care of the soil even when planting a plant. If the soil is acidic, then it is necessary to add ash, lime or dolomite flour to it in advance.

When preparing lavender for winter, I add quite a bit of compost under each bush. This will be enough for her. The fact is that lavender is used to growing on poor, stony soils. And she really does not like excess nitrogen. On the other hand, for abundant flowering, it is still necessary to apply fertilizer. Therefore, here it is necessary to observe the golden mean. Instead of compost, you can add ash or some phosphorus-potassium mineral fertilizers in the fall.

Because lavender does not like nitrogen, it should not be mulched with plant material. The best mulch for her is pebbles. In my case, this is a bit of river pebbles. When pruning and in order to add compost, I remove them, and then lay them out again. This is mulch, and drainage, and heating for lavender. After all, the stones will heat up in the sun.

Soil needs to be taken care of when planting lavender. © Snapguide

Lavender Shelter for the Winter

English narrowleaf lavender is fairly hardy, especially as mature plants. They winter quietly and without shelter. And calmly withstand frosts down to -25 ° C. The root system of lavender is pivotal and goes very deep, where it does not freeze through.

On the other hand, under shelter there is a chance that lavender will become sick because it cannot tolerate the excess moisture that can form there. For this reason, I do not cover mature plants, but only those bushes that are 1-2 years old, their roots are not yet well developed, so they need protection.

Spruce branches (or lutrasil, or something like that) can be used to cover such lavender bushes, it will create a warm air cushion for them. If you have a lot of snow all winter, then you can sprinkle the bush with snow and then it will winter well.

I cover young lavender bushes only when the air temperature is confidently around 0 ° C for several days, not earlier. I make a hut from spruce branches and tie it with a rope so that it does not fall apart.

Lavender propagation in autumn

Lavender is very easy to propagate. There are several ways to do this.

Propagation of lavender by seeds

Lavender reproduces well by self-sowing. If you leave a couple of flowers on the bush, then the seeds nearby will fall and overwinter. And in the spring, under your bush, you will find small sprouts. This is how it happens in nature.

The easiest way for summer residents is to propagate lavender by seeds, sowing it before winter. How to sow flowers before winter, including lavender, read our article.

Lavender propagation by layering

My favorite way to propagate lavender is layering. And now is a great time to do it. Before cutting the bush, I inspect it and select a few convenient branches for layering. It's just that if you cut it first, the branches will become short and it will be inconvenient to work with them.

It is better to take twigs thin, not branched, not yet strongly lignified. I tilt the lavender branch to the ground, pin it either with wire pins so that it fits snugly, or, if there is no wire at hand, then with stones, which is less convenient. I sprinkle earth on top. And so I repeat with other branches. Instead of wire or stones, you can make "slingshots" from branches. And after that I sprinkle with compost and mulch with pebbles.

Stones will become an additional load for layering, which will make their contact with the ground tighter. And that's it. In the spring, I simply separate the young lavender bushes with secateurs, carefully digging them up. The branches will already form roots, and I will transplant them to a permanent place.

My favorite way to propagate lavender is layering. © Olga Olshanskaya

Cuttings of lavender in autumn

Lavender reproduces well from cuttings. This can be done both in spring and autumn. It is even believed that in autumn the cuttings take root better. Therefore, from those branches that I have left after pruning, I choose a few - 10-15 cm in length.

I clean their lower green part from leaves by 3-4 cm. And just plant them in the chosen place. You can first make a groove, how to spill it with water, spread the branches in it, and then fill it with earth.

It has been noticed that thin twigs take root better.

Lavender cuttings in a container

I live in the south. In more northern regions, autumn cuttings of lavender in the open field may not have time to develop a sufficient root system and die from frost even under cover. In this case, cuttings are best planted in containers and kept indoors.

I put shards on the bottom of the pots, or some other kind of drainage is possible. Next, I prepare a mixture of garden soil and sand in a ratio of 3: 1, moisten it a little. Wet sand can be placed on the bottom for better drainage. I put a mixture of soil and sand in pots, and again a layer of wet sand 1 cm thick on top.

Cuttings, for better rooting of lavender in containers, can be pre-treated with growth stimulants. With the cleaned tips, I stick the stalk into the pot. You can stick them 2-3 in one.

There is another technique called push-ups. For better contact of the cutting with the ground, after I stick the cutting into the ground, I grab it together with a clod of earth with my fingers and try to press the ground closer to it. It's like I'm pressing.

After the lavender pot needs to be watered and create greenhouse conditions for it. I put a plastic bag on top. But it is necessary to make a hole in it or tie loosely. And so it stands with me for a couple of months. Then I make a revision, and if the cutting has grown, then the package can be removed, and it will winter well on the windowsill.

It is believed that lavender cuttings take root better in autumn. © Olga Olshanskaya

Reproduction of lavender by dividing a bush

There is another way to propagate lavender - by dividing a bush. Lavender has a long tap root that cannot be divided. However, it very easily gives additional roots. To do this, it must be spudded.

To do this, the lavender bush is almost half covered with light soil. It is important to sprinkle the earth between each branch. Then literally every branch will give additional roots. And if you spud a bush in the fall, then in the spring each of its rooted branches can be separated from the bush and transplanted.

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