Between its lovely aroma and colorful flowers, lavender is a sought-after plant.
Yes, lavender can be grown in containers. When growing lavender in a planter, consider their container, variety and care. Lavender needs a container that suits their unique needs. Certain varieties are better suited to planters than others. Lavenders also need plenty of water and some specialized care.
Let's take a closer look at each of these aspects to help you grow vibrant lavender.
Container
On average, lavender needs a 16-inch pot because it needs plenty of room to grow. It depends on the variety too. Larger kinds of lavender like French varieties need more space, so adjust accordingly. Light-colored containers also keep the soil cool so they are the best choice for warm areas.
Location
Lavender contains trace amounts of linalool, which is toxic to pets. It is not dangerous in small amounts, but if you are worried, place it out of your pets' reach.
Light
Light is key for your lavender to thrive. Lavender must get full light to thrive, so six hours of direct sunlight. Ideally, lavender prefers eight or more hours of sun. While most lavenders will grow in less sun, they will take longer to bloom if they bloom at all.
Varieties
When it comes to lavender there is a wide array to choose from. Most are divided into either English or French varieties. If you are planning to grow lavender in a pot, it is best to stick with English lavender. Also called common lavender, they usually stay smaller and more compact. Let's take a look at some good options for container lavender. 'Munstead,' 'Hidcote' and 'Lavenite Petite' are generally good options.
Care
As long as your lavender gets enough light and water, they are generally easy to grow. Deeply watering your lavender once or twice a week should give it enough water and allow it to grow a thriving root system.
Pruning English Lavender
English lavender usually flowers from early spring to early summer. Pruning right before its first bloom may cause a second bloom in late summer. Pruning it again in late summer also helps it get ready for the next year.
Pruning French Lavender
French lavender is more finicky than English lavender. It needs gentle pruning after its first bloom. It can also have a more heavy pruning after it has finished flowering for the year.
Fertilizer
Make sure you do not give your lavender a high nitrogen fertilizer when it is preparing to bloom. Doing so could prompt the plant to produce foliage rather than flowers. Otherwise, most general or flower fertilizers are good options for potted lavender. You can also find fertilizers specially formatted to lavender. If it is an indoor plant just make sure you get an odorless fertilizer.