Growing lavender indoors, in a pot, is not only possible but it is usually recommended in areas where this plant isn’t hardy outdoors!
By growing lavender flowers indoors, this houseplant will have an excellent opportunity to thrive.
Keep on reading and discover how to grow many lavender varieties indoors:
Basic Facts about Lavender
- Its botanical name is Lavandula angustifolia.
- It can grow up to 3 ft. tall and 4 ft. wide.
- Even though it’s native to the Mediterranean, the lavender plant can thrive in USDA hardiness zones 5 – 9.
- L. angustifolia is known for its many benefits. It not only has healing properties, but it is also an edible plant.
- Most lavender plants will only live for up to 10 years. Starting new lavender plants is necessary if you would like to have continuous years of abundant harvesting.
Growing Lavender Plant Indoors
Here is what you will need:
Tools:
- A drill, knife, or scissors.
- A garden trowel.
- A spray bottle.
Growing materials:
- Potting mix.
- Lavender seeds, cuttings, or a seedling.
- Pot, container, recycled glass bottle.
Choosing the right lavender pots
If you want to grow beautiful, scented lavender plants, you will need to have a pot with one foot in depth and five inches in diameter.
This way, the lavender plant will have enough room to develop its root system. In turn, you will have stronger lavender plants. Don’t be afraid to repot your lavender plants to bigger pots as your lavender grows.
Besides, the lavender pot should also have good drainage. If you are using a recycled plastic bottle, you can carefully use a sharp kitchen knife to make some holes for the water to drain.
How to Plant Lavender in Pots
Growing lavender from seed indoors
Growing L. angustifolia from seed is not impossible, albeit this is by far the most challenging way of doing so, as the lavender seeds can take a long time before they germinate.
Step 1: Choose and prepare the container
You can use a plastic, ceramic, metal, or clay container. Keep in mind that if it doesn’t have drainage holes, you will have to make them.
Step 2: Place a tray underneath the pot
You could add a tray bigger than the container, so it can receive and drain all the water that comes out of the pot. If not, the surface of the area where you are placing the pot will constantly have water on it.
Step 3: Fill the pot
Fill the container with the soil or potting mix. Ideally, the pot should be filled almost to where the rim is.
You should avoid adding organic material such as compost, as these lavandula plants will thrive without it.
Step 4: Place the seeds carefully
You don’t want to bury the lavender seeds. If you dig a small hole, then this will suffice and you can carefully put the seeds there.
Step 5: Choose the right area
Place the pot in an indoor, sunny area. Ensure you keep an eye on it, especially during the first couple of weeks when the lavender flower is sprouting. Water constantly.
Growing lavender from cuttings
This is the best option when it comes to growing indoor lavender plant in a pot. If you already have an existing lavender plant outdoors or someone else gave you a cutting, it would be best if you tried these steps:
Step 1: Choose and prepare the right lavender cutting
Ideally, you can propagate lavender plants before fall begins. If you already have an established plant, try cutting from the hardwood area. This way, your new L. angustifolia plant will have more possibilities to develop stronger roots.
Step 2: Cut it carefully!
Use a sharp knife to cut a shoot from the main plant. Just before you see it, a leaf node is the best area to cut.
If there are any leaves at the bottom, you should also cut them off. This way, all the lavender plant’s energy will move toward forming a new root system.
Step 3: Choose the right pot
It would be best to find a pot with drainage holes big enough to accommodate a lavender plant. Fill it with potting soil or starting mix.
Step 4: Prepare the cutting mix
It is ideal to dip the cutting into a specialised rooting hormone that will provide all the necessary nutrients for the cutting to start growing. It would be best if you then buried this side into the growing medium.
Step 5: Water thoroughly
Make sure the L. angustifolia is moist enough so the cutting can thrive. Please place it in a sunny location only when you notice that all the roots have already been established.
Growing lavender from seedlings
Alternatively, you can purchase an already established lavender seedlings. This will save you time and effort.
Step 1: Choose an ideal location
Place the pot in an indoor, sunny area. Ensure you keep an eye on it, especially during the first couple of weeks when the lavender plant is growing and adjusting to its new environment.
Step 2: Watering
Water the lavender plant now and then. Ensure the soil is moist.
Step 3: Repotting
You will probably need to repot the store-bought L. angustifolia plant. A more convenient pot will be one that can easily accommodate this plant’s roots without leaving too much empty space, as it could lead to excessive dampness.
Varieties of L. angustifolia You Can Grow
- There are many different varieties of Lavandula angustifolia. The place of their origin further subdivides them: for example, there are French, English, and Spanish varieties that belong to France, England, and Spain, respectively.
- Additionally, there is an Egyptian variety and another hybrid variety that is usually a combination of two of the L. angustifolia varieties.
- When growing L. angustifolia indoors, it is recommended to choose dwarf or smaller varieties that will thrive in a pot. These varieties could be Canary Island lavender (Lavandula canariensis), or Fern leaf lavender (Lavandula multifida).
Lavender Care Indoors
Here’s how to care for lavender plant:
Soil preferences
- This herb is known for being a relatively easy plant to care for when outdoors. Yet, once it is brought indoors, it needs to have another type of maintenance to help the lavender plant thrive.
- Its soil needs to be lean, so avoid using too much organic matter. In fact, the soil for lavender should be almost dry. If this isn’t the case, consider adding some sand to create a more stable environment. These are the adequate growing conditions for lavender.
Water needs
This resilient plant is perfect for first-time growers because it is drought-tolerant, but only when it reaches its full maturity.
When it’s only a lavender seedling, it should be watered every other day. After that, only water it when the soil moisture is almost dried.
Light requirements
A south-facing window ledge with at least 6 hours of direct sunlight is necessary when growing lavender plants indoors from seed. This way, you can guarantee the lavender plant will have plenty of aromatic buds.
Using indoor grow lights
It is possible to use fluorescent lights when growing lavender indoors in a pot. This will help your L. angustifolia plant thrive without having to worry about the amount of sunlight the plant receives.
However, try placing the lavender plants in an area where the natural light comes in as much as possible.
Location
A sunny window ledge is the best location for this plant. Alternatively, lavender thrives when placed in any other area that receives 6 to 8 hours of sunlight.
Fertiliser
Fertilising L. angustifolia is not usually recommended, as it could harm the lavender plant instead of providing more beneficial nutrients.
Lavender plants are known for thriving in poor soil conditions. So, avoid fertilizing this plant!
Prune
It will be necessary to prune your potted lavender plants during spring. If not, the plant has the potential to take over all of the pot. And maybe all of your house!
Temperature and Humidity
- The L. angustifolia plant is hardy for a wide range of temperatures. Yet, this plant will suffer from dampness, as it cannot withstand it.
- If the humidity is too high, then it is advisable to stop watering the plants during those days.
- Alternatively, all the lavender plants should have plenty of space to spread out. If not, airflow will be tight, which will, in turn, create more problems for its roots.
Pests or diseases
Lavender plants are known for repelling insects and pests, so you won’t have to worry about them if you grow this plant indoors in a pot. However, you must keep an eye on potential problems associated with humidity, as they could cause root rot.
Harvesting
If you prune the lavender plant constantly, you can use those leaves or buds in various scenarios. From cooking to preparing play-dough, the possibilities are endless.
If you are growing a seedling or only have a small plant, try to harvest whenever the lavender plant looks healthy, preferable during the morning.
FAQs
How do you keep potted lavender alive?
To keep potted lavender alive, ensure it is planted in well-draining soil and a pot with drainage holes. Lavender requires full sun and minimal watering—water only when the top inch of soil is dry. Regularly prune the plant to maintain shape and encourage growth.
How long does lavender take to grow indoors?
Lavender typically takes a few weeks to a few months to establish and grow indoors, depending on the conditions. Seed-grown lavender may take longer to mature compared to plants grown from cuttings. With proper care, lavender can grow and thrive indoors for several years.
What lavender grows best in pots?
The best lavender varieties for growing in pots include English lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) and French lavender (Lavandula stoechas). These types are compact, relatively low-maintenance, and thrive in containers with adequate sunlight and well-draining soil.
Conclusion
L. angustifolia is not only a beautiful, scented plant, but it is also a great ally when it comes to dealing with health issues, such as migraines.
It isn’t difficult to grow lavender indoors, so you don’t have to stress about how to grow lavender indoors.
On the contrary, planting lavender will provide you with a stress-relief solution to many of your problems because it will allow you to have all these beneficial aspects inside of your home. You can start with English lavender, French lavender and other types of lavender plants.
See more: What grows well with lavender
