Summary
Lavender is a fantastic herb to have handy. It smells amazing, has medicinal benefits, and can even be used in cooking! Plus, it’s great for small-space gardening and thrives in containers. While lavender is relatively easy to grow, it does have some specific needs—well-draining soil, a properly sized container, and plenty of sunlight. If you can meet these needs, your lavender can flourish almost year-round!
Table of Contents
- What is Lavender?
- Where Does Lavender Come From?
- How to Grow Lavender
- Soil
- Container
- Fertilizer
- Sun
- Water
- Pests
- Pruning & Harvesting
What is Lavender?
I absolutely LOVE lavender. From its pleasant scent to its calming and medicinal properties, I’d argue it’s one of the best herbs out there! And the best part? It thrives in containers!
But I won’t lie—I’ve had my fair share of struggles growing lavender. I’ve failed at growing it from cuttings, my seeds never germinated, and I’ve even bought plants from big-box stores only to watch them wither away. But I never gave up, and through trial and error, I finally figured out what this plant needs to thrive.
So what exactly is lavender? Where does it come from? And how do we grow it successfully?
Lavender is a perennial flowering plant in the mint family. This means it can flower year-round (depending on where you live) and will keep coming back for years. Unlike annuals that bloom once and die off, a lavender plant can last multiple seasons. Both its flowers and leaves are edible and have medicinal properties, but it’s also prized for its soft, floral scent. Lavender is well-known for its calming effects, and its fragrance has been shown to reduce stress, anxiety, and even aid sleep.
Where Does Lavender Come From?
Lavender is native to the Mediterranean, where it thrives in dry, hot climates. It was introduced to the Americas by European colonists, who valued its medicinal and functional uses.
One of the earliest uses of lavender was for strewing, which involved spreading fragrant herbs on floors to mask odors and act as a natural insecticide. Today, lavender is still widely used for its calming properties, as well as to help relieve headaches, soothe insect bites, and even treat acne. It’s also a popular ingredient in perfumes and essential oils.
How to Grow Lavender
Lavender is often labeled as “easy to grow,” but getting it established can be tricky. In fact, lavender seeds are notoriously difficult to germinate—I’ve personally never had success growing them from seed! But don’t worry, there are other ways to get your hands on a healthy lavender plant:
- Take a cutting from an established lavender plant (check out my guide on how to do this!).
- Buy a starter plant from a local nursery. I highly recommend getting an organic variety suited to your growing zone. Avoid big-box stores, as their plants may not be the best quality or suitable for your climate.
Soil
No matter how you acquire your lavender plant, soil is key! Lavender prefers well-drained soil, which can be tricky when container gardening. It also doesn’t need a lot of nutrients, meaning it can thrive in relatively poor soil—as long as it drains well.
To mimic its native Mediterranean conditions, use an organic container potting mix and improve drainage by adding extra perlite and small pebbles. And whatever you do, don’t pack the soil too tightly—this can suffocate the roots.
Container
Lavender hates being transplanted, so pick a container that will be its forever home. Even if you start with a small plant, put it in a pot that will accommodate its full growth.
A 1-gallon container is sufficient if you regularly prune your lavender. If you tend to let plants grow wild, opt for a 2-gallon pot instead.
Fertilizing & Watering
When it comes to lavender, less is more:
- Fertilizer: A mature plant only needs a light application once a year (if that!).
- Watering: Keep the plant well-watered until established. Once mature, lavender is drought-tolerant and can go 1–2 weeks without water—just don’t push it beyond that.
Sunlight
This plant loves it hot! Lavender needs at least 8 hours of full sun daily. Avoid shady spots, especially in humid climates, as this can lead to fungal diseases.
Pests
Thanks to its strong fragrance, lavender doesn’t attract many pests. This makes it an excellent companion plant for pest-prone crops! However, aphids and spider mites might still show up—if they do, a blast of water or a mild soapy insecticide should take care of them.
Pruning & Harvesting
Pruning is essential, especially in container gardening. Regular trimming keeps lavender compact and prevents it from outgrowing its pot.
Since it’s a perennial, lavender can get woody over time. To encourage fresh growth, trim back one-third of the plant regularly—even if you’re not harvesting. This keeps it fuller, healthier, and producing more blooms.
Conclusion
Lavender is an incredible herb with both medicinal and functional uses. It’s a great addition to any container garden, as long as you provide plenty of sun, space, and well-draining soil. Native to the Mediterranean, it thrives in hot, dry climates and can grow year-round.
Both its leaves and flowers are edible, though the flowers tend to get more attention for their health benefits. Whether you’re using it for tea, essential oils, or as a natural sleep aid, lavender is a must-have herb for any gardener!
Happy Growing!
