Your Guide To Growing Lavender Indoors

The lavender plant, with its delicate purple blossoms and soothing aroma, is a beloved addition to any garden/’>garden. But what if you don’t have a garden or live in a place where the weather isn’t exactly suitable for growing these beautiful plants? The good news is that you can grow lavender indoors! It might take a little more care and attention than growing it outdoors, but with the right know-how, you can successfully cultivate a thriving lavender plant right inside your home. This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know, from choosing the right variety to troubleshooting common problems.

Choosing the Right Lavender Variety for Indoors

Not all lavender is created equal, especially when it comes to growing indoors. Some varieties are simply too big or require too much direct sunlight to thrive in a typical home environment. The key is to select a compact variety that is more tolerant of indoor conditions. Here are a few excellent options:

’Munstead’: This is a very popular choice for indoor growing. It’s a type of English lavender that is known for its compact size, early blooming, and high tolerance for cold. It doesn’t get too tall, making it perfect for a windowsill.

’Hidcote’: Another fantastic English lavender variety, ‘Hidcote’ is famous for its deep purple flowers and silvery-green foliage. It has a very dense, compact growth habit, which is ideal for pot cultivation.

’French’ Lavender (Lavandula dentata): While not as cold-hardy as English varieties, French lavender is a great choice for indoors because it can tolerate a little more humidity and less direct sunlight. It has a unique, serrated leaf shape and can bloom almost continuously if conditions are right.

’Goodwin Creek Grey’: This is a hybrid lavender that’s well-suited for container gardening. It’s known for its silvery-grey leaves and long bloom season. It’s also relatively tolerant of different watering conditions, making it a good choice for beginners.

The Essential Ingredients for Indoor Lavender Success

Growing lavender indoors is all about replicating its natural environment as closely as possible. Here are the crucial elements you need to get right:

1. Sunlight: The Most Critical Factor

Lavender absolutely loves sunlight. In its natural habitat, it gets a full day of direct sun. To grow it indoors, you need to provide as much light as you possibly can. A south-facing window is the best location in most northern hemisphere homes. Aim for at least six to eight hours of direct sunlight per day. If you don’t have a suitable window, or if the light is weak, you will need to supplement with a grow light. A full-spectrum LED grow light is a great investment. Place the grow light about 6-12 inches above the plant and leave it on for 12-16 hours a day.

2. Potting Mix: Drainage is Non-Negotiable

Lavender hates wet feet. Its roots will quickly rot in soggy soil. Therefore, the potting mix you use is incredibly important. Do not use standard potting soil. Instead, opt for a well-draining mix specifically designed for succulents or cacti. You can also create your own by mixing regular potting soil with a generous amount of perlite, coarse sand, or pumice. The goal is a gritty, loose mix that allows water to drain away quickly.

3. Pot Selection: Size and Material Matter

Choosing the right pot is just as important as the soil. The pot must have excellent drainage holes. Avoid pots with a single, small hole. A terracotta or unglazed clay pot is an excellent choice because it’s porous and allows moisture to evaporate from the sides, helping to keep the roots from getting too wet. The pot size should be appropriate for the plant. Start with a pot that’s only slightly larger than the root ball. As the plant grows, you can repot it into a slightly larger container, but avoid putting a small plant in a massive pot, as this can hold too much moisture.

4. Watering: Less is More

Overwatering is the number one cause of indoor lavender death. Lavender is a drought-tolerant plant that thrives in dry conditions. You should only water your plant when the top two inches of the soil are completely dry. To check, stick your finger into the soil. If it feels dry, it’s time to water. When you do water, do so thoroughly until you see water coming out of the drainage holes at the bottom of the pot. Then, empty the saucer so the pot isn’t sitting in standing water. The frequency of watering will depend on your home’s humidity and temperature, but for most people, it will be about once every one or two weeks.

5. Airflow and Humidity: Think Mediterranean

Lavender comes from the dry, airy climate of the Mediterranean. It doesn’t like high humidity or stagnant air. Good air circulation is crucial for preventing fungal diseases. Place your plant in a location with good airflow, and if possible, keep a fan running on low in the room. You can also open a window on nice days. Conversely, a too-dry environment from forced air heating can be an issue. If your home is very dry, your lavender might still be okay, but watch for signs of stress.

6. Fertilizing: A Light Hand

Lavender is not a heavy feeder. In fact, too much fertilizer, especially nitrogen, can lead to lush green growth with very few flowers. A high-phosphorus, low-nitrogen fertilizer can be used sparingly during the growing season (spring and summer). A balanced, all-purpose liquid fertilizer can also be used at a very diluted strength. A good rule of thumb is to fertilize only once a month or even less frequently. If your plant is looking healthy and blooming, you probably don’t need to fertilize at all.

7. Pruning: Keep it Compact and Healthy

Pruning is essential for maintaining the shape of your indoor lavender plant and encouraging new growth and flowering. Prune your plant in the early spring, before new growth begins. Cut back about one-third of the plant’s height, focusing on leggy, woody stems. After the first flush of blooms has faded, you can also deadhead the spent flower spikes to encourage a second, smaller bloom.

Common Indoor Lavender Problems and Solutions

Even with the best care, you might run into some issues. Here are some of the most common problems and how to solve them:

Yellowing Leaves: This is almost always a sign of overwatering. Check the soil moisture. If it’s soggy, let it dry out completely before watering again. Make sure your pot has proper drainage.

Leggy or Stretched Growth: This indicates a lack of sufficient light. Your plant is reaching for a light source. Move your plant to a sunnier location or add a grow light.

No Flowers or Sparse Flowers: This can be caused by a few factors: not enough sunlight, too much nitrogen fertilizer, or a need for pruning. Assess your light situation first, then check your fertilizing habits.

Fungus Gnats: These annoying little flies thrive in consistently moist soil. Their presence is a good indicator that you’re overwatering. Let the soil dry out completely between waterings to kill off the larvae. You can also use sticky traps to catch the adults.

Powdery Mildew: This white, powdery substance on the leaves is a fungal disease caused by poor air circulation and high humidity. Increase airflow around the plant and consider a gentle fungicide if it becomes severe.

By understanding the unique needs of lavender and providing the right environment, you can enjoy the calming fragrance and beautiful blooms of this incredible plant all year round, even without a garden. It requires a bit more vigilance than an outdoor plant, but the rewards are well worth the effort. With a sunny spot, the right pot and soil, and a little patience, you’ll be on your way to a flourishing indoor lavender garden.