Monday, September 10, 2012

Want MORE Lavender Plants? Root Some!

Propagating lavender is much easier than you can imagine...and there are two times a year that one can take cuttings to root- in the spring just before the plant comes into flower AND in the early fall. So, that means right now!!

To begin, its best to use a good quality cutting soil or you can make your own by mixing approximately 3 parts peat moss with 1 part vermiculite. Remember that the most important thing is drainage…even a cutting of lavender DOES NOT like wet feet!

Once you have a good mix, fill several small terracotta pots and make sure to dampen well. Now poke one small hole per pot into the mixture about 1 to 1.5 inches deep. Next, using a sharp pair of plant shears cut a small branch off the lower half of the plant that is about 3-5 inches long. Make sure that the branch is soft and not woody. Strip the leaves off the bottom half of the cutting and place one cutting per pot. Make sure to cover the bottom part of the cutting with soil. There is no need to use rooting hormones on lavender cuttings.


Water your cutting thoroughly. For the first couple of weeks keep the soil damp, but then water less frequently. After the first few weeks, water when the soil begins to get dry but before the plant displays any distress. Too much water will kill your new lavender plant. When attempting to propagate lavender, this is the most common mistake.

 

Congratulations, after about 6 weeks you will have several new lavender plants! Now, you can move your new plants to larger pots or into the ground.

Please send us pictures of your newly rooted plants!

17 comments:

  1. Thank you for the info. I plan on getting busy making new lavender plants.

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  2. thank you from me too, will be giving this a go. Jo. Isle of Anglesey, UK

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  3. Hola te escribo desde Barcelona, voy a seguir tu forma de hacer esquejes de Lavanda, espero que me salgan bien. Gracias

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  4. I am so fortunate to live near your farm here in Hillsborough, NC but have never had the opportunity to visit it. I have heard wonderful things and have purchased your lavender gifts for friends. Thank you for sharing this information so I can grow some too.

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  5. I live in Los Angeles and lavender is almost always blooming. Would it be ok to propagate right now if it flowered already? There are still some dried flowers in the plant. Thank you!

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  6. When is the best time/season to do this? It's almost end of September now in New Mexico and still warm. Please advise.

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  7. Thank you for posting easy directions.

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  8. Thank you for this. Can I leave lavendar plants in pots over the winter? I am from Ottawa, Canada.

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  9. Thanks for the rooting instructions. BUT you have several questions here that you should address! Can you help us, please?

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  10. People don't need to ask the questions. Plant spring and autumn - like don't plant summer and winter. It says plant in a pot so why ask if you can.

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    1. I think end of August/ beginning of September is perfect to do this. Over the winter you'll want to bring your pants indoors and place in a sunny window. Lavender is a full sun plant so typically that means 6+hours of sunlight a day. Make sure to check for dryness and water regularly though in the winter because with heaters/furnaces on the air can get extra dry. Transplant to outdoors in early spring. It's easiest when it's been raining since the ground is soft and moist. Make sure to pick a spot with good drainage in the soil or amend the soil to give it the least stress possible after transferring 😉 best of luck to everyone!

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    2. thanks!!! was wondering that!!! gonna try it this year here in NJ.

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  11. I think I will attempt this next spring. Great information. I was searching for information on propagating lavender but couldn’t find anything until now. I have successfully rooted hydrangeas, Bristol Fairy, and Dahlias from cuttings. Attempted roses but no success yet.. I think I tried too late in the Spring. Might attempt again, any advice for rooting hybrid tea roses, knockouts, or miniatures? Mine always turn brown and die. I almost had success with one but lost it when I checked for roots. Should of used a see through plastic cup.. I have read to cover them with plastic. I think the plastic is causing the problem. One person suggested Dunkin’ Donuts coolatta cups. They have the dome lid with a quarter size opening and are clear. That seemed to work better but is it necessary to cover to keep moisture? BTW: I live in Boston area.

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  12. My sister has a bush so I asked her if I could have s cutting and she gladly said yes. It will be my first time trying to grow lavender.
    Hope I don’t kill it.

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  13. I put in a 40’ hedge of scotch roses from cuttings years ago. I planted them in dirt and manure in the spring. It was in south central Alaska. Zone 2A windy. When I sold the place they were 6’ tall.
    I’ve had more difficulty keeping plants alive in hot desert windy climates. I’ll try this in a protected flower bed.

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