As avid gardeners, we know how challenging it can be to keep our plants alive during the winter months. One plant that requires special attention during this time is lavender. Lavender is a beautiful and popular plant that can add a touch of elegance to any garden, but it can easily die without proper care.
That’s why we’ve put together this article to provide you with tips and advice on how to ensure your lavender survives the winter months and thrives all year round. In this article, we will cover everything you need to know about lavender, from choosing the right species to pruning techniques.
We’ll provide you with a detailed guide on how to care for your lavender during the winter months, including tips on soil and drainage, and the best pruning techniques to ensure hardy growth. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or a beginner, our goal is to help you keep your lavender healthy and thriving through the colder months.
So, let’s get started!
Key Takeaways
- English lavender is the best option for cool temperate climates to keep lavender outdoors all year round, while Spanish, French, and Italian lavenders need to be transferred to pots and taken indoors over winter in climates that receive regular frosts.
- To ensure winter survival, the lavenders soil needs good drainage with a relatively open, porous structure that allows water to escape easily. Lavenders can be grown in pots which provide very favorable drainage conditions and require much less labor.
- Lavenders enter a state of dormancy over winter and do not require much water. They should avoid humid rooms of the house such as the kitchen or bathroom where they could encounter lots of steam.
- Regular pruning in the early spring and late summer helps delay the formation of woody stems, prevents lavenders from splitting, maintains a more attractive shape, promotes new growth, and extends the life of lavender.
Lavender Species
We know that there are different species of lavender, and as we plan for winter survival, we should consider the hardiness of English lavender compared to the less frost-tolerant Spanish, French, and Italian lavenders.
English lavender is a hardy species that can survive winter and tolerate frost. It’s even possible to keep English lavender outdoors all year round in cool temperate climates. The Hidcote Superior variety of English lavender can withstand temperatures as low as -30°C (-20°F) during winter, making it the best option for those who live in colder regions.
On the other hand, Spanish, French, and Italian lavenders are not frost-tolerant and need to be transferred to pots and taken indoors over winter in climates that receive regular frosts. They’re well suited to the mild winters experienced in the Mediterranean region where temperatures typically stay well above freezing. However, they can be grown in cold climates if potted and brought indoors before the first frost. If left outside during winter in temperate climates, they’ll likely die.
Therefore, it’s important to choose the appropriate lavender species based on the winter climate in your area.
Winter Care
Did you know that lavender species native to the Mediterranean region prefer drought-like conditions with infrequent watering? This makes winter watering a delicate balance for lavender care. During the winter season, lavenders enter a state of dormancy and do not require much water. Overwatering can cause root rot, which can lead to the death of the plant. Therefore, it’s important to avoid humid rooms of the house, such as the kitchen or bathroom, where they could encounter lots of steam.
For indoor care, potted lavenders should be placed in the sunniest window in the house or in a heated greenhouse. They can survive winter if they receive proper care. To ensure winter survival, the lavenders soil needs good drainage with a relatively open, porous structure that allows water to escape easily.
If you want to grow lavender in pots, make sure they provide very favorable drainage conditions and require much less labor. By following these tips, you can help your lavender survive the winter and continue to thrive for years to come.
Soil and Drainage
When growing lavender, it’s important to consider soil and drainage to ensure the plant thrives. Lavenders are native to the Mediterranean region and thrive in drought-like conditions with infrequent watering.
To ensure the plant’s survival in winter, it’s crucial to improve drainage. Rich soils that contain a lot of organic matter can cause root rot and other fungal diseases. To improve drainage, lavenders can be eased out of the ground with a fork and mixed with sand or grit to the soil. This ensures good drainage and a relatively open, porous structure that allows water to escape easily.
Another way to ensure proper drainage is to grow lavenders in pots, which provide very favorable drainage conditions and require much less labor. When growing in pots, it’s important to choose a well-draining soil mix and to ensure that the pot has drainage holes.
Lavenders enter a state of dormancy over winter and do not require much water. Therefore, the soil must have good drainage with a relatively open, porous structure that allows water to escape easily. Soil amendments such as perlite or vermiculite can also be added to the soil to improve drainage and prevent root rot.
By improving soil and drainage, lavenders can thrive and survive winter with ease.
Pruning Techniques
Pruning our lavender plants is like giving them a haircut – it not only promotes new growth and more blooms, but it also helps maintain a tidy and attractive shape.
Regular pruning in the early spring and late summer helps delay the formation of woody stems, which are less resilient and prone to splitting in winter due to snow, frost, and water damage.
Pruning also prevents lavenders from splitting and maintains a more attractive shape, which is crucial for resisting the effects of winter.
To prune lavender, we need to use sharp and clean pruning shears. Tools such as hedge trimmers can damage the plant and cause uneven cuts.
Common mistakes include cutting back into the woody stems, which are unlikely to produce any new growth and could even kill the plant.
We should also avoid pruning lavender in the winter or fall, as this can stimulate new growth that is susceptible to frost and cold damage.
By following these pruning techniques, we can prolong the life of our lavender plants and ensure their hardy growth even through the winter months.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can lavender plants be grown indoors year-round?
Yes, Indoor Lavender can be grown year-round with proper care. However, Winter Survival can be challenging as lavenders need good drainage, infrequent watering, and plenty of sunlight. Regular pruning is also necessary to maintain a healthy plant.
How often should lavender be watered during winter dormancy?
During winter dormancy, watering frequency for lavender should be minimal to prevent root rot. Winter survival tips include pruning in spring and late summer to promote new growth and shaping the plant into a compact mound to resist winter damage.
Are there any pests or diseases that commonly affect lavender during winter?
Winter lavender pests include spider mites, aphids, and root rot caused by cold, wet soils. To prevent these, maintain good drainage, avoid overwatering, and keep lavenders in a dry, cool location. Regular pruning also helps maintain plant health. Tips for winter lavender care include proper soil and potting, pruning, and water management.
Can lavender be propagated during winter months?
Indoor propagation of lavender during winter requires careful attention to moisture levels and temperature. Cuttings can be taken from softwood stems and rooted in a well-draining mix. Maintain high humidity and keep in a warm, brightly lit area. Winter care is essential for successful propagation.
How long does it typically take for newly planted lavender to establish and become hardy enough to survive winter?
Establishment timeline varies depending on species and growing conditions, but it typically takes 1-3 years for lavender to become hardy enough to survive winter. Winter survival techniques include good drainage, pruning, and avoiding humid environments.
