How to Grow Lavender in Pots: Easy Grower’s Guide!
Love lavender but short on garden space? You’re in luck. Learning how to grow lavender in pots is easier than you think, and just as rewarding. Whether you’re working with a sunny balcony, patio, or windowsill, potted lavender brings beauty, fragrance, and pollinator appeal right to your fingertips. In this easy grower’s guide, you’ll learn exactly what lavender needs to thrive in containers, from soil and sunlight to watering and pruning tips.
Table of Contents
Why Grow Lavender in Pots?
Growing lavender in pots offers a range of benefits that go beyond just saving space. For urban gardeners or those with limited yard area, containers bring the joy of gardening to balconies, decks, and even sunny indoor spots. I’ve had great success using these durable and stylish garden planters from Amazon, which make it easy to move your lavender to chase the sun or protect it from harsh weather, ensuring it always has the best conditions for growth.
You also gain greater control over soil composition and moisture levels, which is vital for a plant that dislikes soggy roots. Additionally, container gardening helps reduce the risk of soil-borne pests and diseases, making it easier to keep your lavender healthy and thriving. With the flexibility and convenience of pots, anyone can cultivate this aromatic herb, regardless of their gardening experience or available space.
Choosing the Right Lavender Variety for Containers
Selecting the appropriate lavender variety is crucial for successful container gardening. Not all types of lavender adapt well to life in a pot, so it’s important to choose compact, slow-growing cultivars that won’t outgrow their containers too quickly. English lavender, or Lavandula angustifolia, is a classic choice known for its sweet fragrance, manageable size, and resilience in cooler climates.
Spanish lavender, or Lavandula stoechas, stands out with its unique “rabbit ear” flower heads and thrives in warmer, drier environments, making it ideal for sun-soaked patios. For those with larger pots, Lavandula x intermedia, or lavandin, offers more substantial blooms and a vigorous growth habit, though it requires extra space. By selecting the right variety, you set your potted lavender up for a long, healthy, and beautiful life.
Selecting the Best Pot for Lavender
Material Matters
When it comes to choosing a pot for your lavender, the material is just as important as the size. Terracotta pots are a popular choice because their porous nature allows excess moisture to evaporate, keeping the roots dry and healthy. This is especially beneficial for lavender, which is highly susceptible to root rot in soggy conditions.
Ceramic and fiberglass pots are also suitable, provided they have ample drainage holes to prevent water from pooling at the bottom. While plastic pots are lightweight and inexpensive, they tend to retain moisture, which can be detrimental to lavender’s health. For best results, opt for a pot that combines breathability with sturdy construction, ensuring your plant’s roots have the perfect environment to flourish.
Size and Drainage
The size of your pot plays a significant role in your lavender’s success. A pot that’s too small can restrict root growth, while one that’s too large may retain excess moisture. As a rule of thumb, select a pot that is at least 2 inches wider than the plant’s current root ball and about one-third the expected mature height of your lavender.
This gives the roots room to expand without overwhelming the plant with too much soil. Good drainage is essential, so look for pots with several holes at the bottom. To further improve drainage, add a layer of gravel, broken pottery, or small stones before filling the pot with soil. This helps prevent water from accumulating at the base, reducing the risk of root rot and ensuring your lavender stays healthy.
Soil: The Foundation of Healthy Potted Lavender
Lavender’s Soil Preferences
Lavender thrives in conditions that mimic its native Mediterranean habitat, think rocky, well-draining soils and plenty of sun. For potted lavender, it’s essential to use a mix that allows water to flow freely, preventing root rot. I recommend using FoxFarm’s well-draining potting mix, which contains the kind of sandy, gritty texture lavender loves. It also helps maintain the slightly alkaline pH (between 6.5 and 8.0) that encourages strong roots and vibrant blooms.
If your potting mix is too acidic, you can add a tablespoon of dolomite lime to raise the pH. Creating your own soil blend gives you control over its texture and nutrient content. Combine three parts high-quality potting soil, two parts perlite or coarse sand for drainage, and one part compost or coconut coir for gentle nutrition. Adding a handful of bone meal can provide a slow-release source of phosphorus, supporting strong root development and flowering.
Quick Soil Preparation Steps
Start by thoroughly mixing your soil ingredients to ensure even distribution of sand, compost, and any amendments. Fill your chosen pot about three-quarters full with this blend, leaving enough room to position your lavender plant comfortably. Before planting, check the moisture level-the soil should feel slightly damp but never wet. Gently remove your lavender from its nursery pot, loosening the roots if they appear compacted.
Place the plant so that its crown-the point where the stems meet the roots-sits just above the soil surface. This prevents moisture from collecting around the base, which can cause rot. Backfill around the roots with the remaining soil, pressing gently to remove air pockets. Water thoroughly to help the soil settle, and consider topping with a layer of gravel or small stones to reflect light and keep the crown dry.
Planting Lavender in Pots: Step-by-Step
- Prepare the Pot: Begin by placing a layer of drainage material, such as gravel or broken pottery, at the bottom of your pot. This ensures excess water can escape easily, protecting your lavender from root rot.
- Position the Plant: Carefully remove your lavender from its original container, gently teasing out the roots if they’re tightly bound. Position the plant in the center of the pot, making sure the crown sits just above the soil surface to prevent moisture buildup.
- Backfill and Firm: Fill in around the roots with your prepared soil mix, pressing gently to eliminate air pockets and provide support. Avoid packing the soil too tightly, as lavender prefers a loose, airy environment for its roots.
- Water Thoroughly: After planting, give your lavender a deep watering to help the soil settle and the roots establish contact with their new environment. Allow any excess water to drain away completely.
- Mulch (Optional): For added protection and a decorative touch, apply a 2-inch layer of gravel or small stones on top of the soil. This helps retain moisture, reflects sunlight to keep the soil warm, and discourages weed growth, all while maintaining the dry conditions lavender loves.
Sunlight: The Key to Flowering Success
Lavender is a sun-loving plant that thrives in bright, direct light. To ensure abundant blooms and healthy growth, place your potted lavender in a spot where it will receive at least six hours of full sun each day. More sunlight is even better, as it encourages stronger stems, more fragrant foliage, and a greater profusion of flowers. If you’re growing lavender indoors, choose a south-facing window or supplement with a grow light to mimic natural sunlight.
While lavender enjoys warmth, it’s also important to protect your pots from strong, drying winds, which can stress the plant and dry out the soil too quickly. Position your pots near a wall or railing that offers some shelter, but still allows plenty of sunshine to reach your plant. By giving your lavender the light it craves, you’ll be rewarded with vibrant, aromatic blooms all season long.
Watering Potted Lavender: Less Is More
How Often to Water
Lavender is drought-tolerant by nature, so it’s important to avoid overwatering, which is the most common cause of failure in potted plants. Allow the soil to dry out almost completely between waterings-this usually means watering every one to two weeks, depending on your climate, pot size, and the season. During hot, sunny weather, you may need to water a bit more frequently, but always check the top inch of soil first; if it feels dry to the touch, it’s time to water.
When you do water, do so deeply, allowing excess moisture to drain freely from the bottom of the pot. In the cooler months, lavender’s growth slows and it requires much less water, so reduce your watering schedule accordingly. Always err on the side of underwatering rather than overwatering, as lavender is far more tolerant of dry conditions than soggy roots.
Common Mistakes
Overwatering is the number one mistake gardeners make with potted lavender. The plant’s Mediterranean origins mean it’s adapted to dry, rocky soils and can quickly succumb to root rot if left in wet conditions. Always use your finger to check soil moisture before watering, and never let the pot sit in a saucer of standing water.
On the other hand, underwatering can also be a problem, especially in small pots or during heat waves, as the soil dries out faster. Monitor your plants closely during hot spells, and adjust your watering routine as needed to keep your lavender healthy and stress-free.
Fertilizing Lavender in Pots
Lavender is not a heavy feeder, and too much fertilizer-especially nitrogen-can lead to lush, leafy growth at the expense of flowers. For best results, feed your potted lavender sparingly. In early spring, you can apply a slow-release, balanced fertilizer to give the plant a gentle boost as it comes out of dormancy. Organic options like bone meal or fish emulsion are excellent choices, providing essential nutrients without overwhelming the plant.
Avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers, which encourage soft, weak growth that is more susceptible to disease and less likely to produce abundant blooms. If your soil mix included compost, you may not need to fertilize at all. Keep an eye on your plant’s appearance; if it’s growing well and flowering, additional feeding is unnecessary. By keeping fertilizer to a minimum, you’ll encourage strong, compact growth and a profusion of fragrant flowers.
