How to Grow Lavender From Seed

 

A lot of gardeners actually purchase lavender plants from nurseries, however starting the plant from seed is cheaper and it also gives you access to more varieties of the plant. Growing the lavender plants from seed actually allows you to raise many plants at once for borders, for containers, or herb garden plants.

The following are some of the popular lavender varieties:

·  The English lavender varieties

·  The French lavender varieties

·  The Spanish lavender varieties

·  The Lavandin hybrids varieties

The English lavender variety is actually one the easiest type to grow from seed.

The Best Time to Grow Lavender Plant Seeds

The Lavender plant seeds are best started indoors about ten to twelve weeks before the last frost in your area. Since the lavender plant grows slowly at first, actually starting the plant indoors gives the lavender plant seedlings sufficient time to develop before transplanting outside.

Furthermore, in warm climates, the lavender plant seeds can also be started outdoors either in early spring or fall.

Choosing The Lavender Plant Seeds

Make sure you always purchase fresh, high-quality lavender plant seeds from a trusted supplier. The older lavender plant seeds will germinate poorly. Make sure you look for the lavender varieties that will suit your climate.

As a beginner, the English lavender plant varieties is often the best choice because they can easily tolerates cooler weather better and they are easier to grow.

Materials You Need To Get Started

The following are the materials you will need before planting:

·  You need the Lavender seeds

·  You need seed trays or small pots

·  You need seed-starting mix

·  You need spray bottle

·  You need plastic cover or humidity dome

·  You need grow light or sunny window

·  You also need small labels

Actually using a light and a good well-draining seed-starting mix is vital because lavender plants dislike heavy, wet soil.

Cold Stratification for Better Lavender Seed Germination

The lavender plant seeds actually germinate better after a long period of cold treatment which is called stratification. This actually mimics winter conditions and also helps to break the lavender plant seed dormancy.

Also read: How to Grow Marigolds From Seeds

How to Easily Stratify The Lavender Plant Seeds

1.    Just place the Lavender plant seeds on a damp paper towel.

2.    Then put the towel inside a plastic bag or in a container.

3.    You need to store it in the refrigerator for about two to four weeks.

4.    Make sure you check occasionally to ensure the towel stays slightly moist.

After the lavender seeds stratification, the lavender plant seeds are ready for planting.

How to Grow The Lavender Plant Seeds

1. Start By Filling the Containers

You need to fill the seed trays or pots with moist seed-starting mix. Make sure you leave a little space at the top.

2. Sow the Lavender Plant Seeds

Just sprinkle the Lavender plant seeds lightly on the surface. The lavender plant seeds really need some light to germinate, so don’t bury the seeds deeply. Cover the Lavender plant seeds with only a thin layer of soil or vermiculite.

3. Water Them Gently

You can carefully use a spray bottle to moisten the soil without washing away the Lavender seeds.

4. You Need To Cover the Tray

You can easily cover the tray with clear plastic or a humidity dome in other to keep moisture in.

5. Provide Warmth and Light For The Lavender Seeds

Make sure you place the tray in a warm location with temperatures around sixty-five to seventy-five degree Fahrenheit. The lavender plant seeds also need plenty of light to grow. A sunny window location or grow light works well for lavender plant seeds.

Lavender Seeds Germination Time

The lavender plant seeds actually germinate slowly and unevenly. Some of the lavender plant seeds may sprout in two weeks, while others can take about a month or more to sprout.

Patience is very vital in growing lavender seeds. Make sure you keep the soil lightly moist but never soggy during this point in time.

Caring for The Lavender Plant Seedlings

Once the lavender plant seedlings appear you can carefully remove the plastic cover to improve airflow and to also reduce the risk of fungal disease on the plant.

Light Requirements For Lavender

The lavender plant seedlings really need at least six to eight hours of bright light daily. If natural sunlight is limited you can use grow lights for the lavender seedlings.

Water Requirement

Make sure you water only when the soil begins to dry slightly. Actually overwatering of the lavender plant is one of the biggest causes of lavender plant seedling failure.

Thinning Lavender Plant

If multiple Lavender plant seedlings grow too close together, you can carefully thin them out so each of the Lavender plant has sufficient space.

Transplanting The Lavender Plant Seedlings

When the Lavender plant seedlings develop some sets of true leaves and they are large enough to handle, you can easily transplant them into larger containers.

Try as much as possible to be gentle because the young lavender roots are delicate.

Make sure you use a well-draining potting mix, and also make sure the containers have drainage holes.

Hardening Off Lavender Seedlings

Before planting the Lavender seedlings outdoors, the lavender plant seedlings really need to adjust gradually to outdoor conditions, the procedure is actually called hardening off.

How to Harden Off Lavender Plant Seedlings

1.    Just place the Lavender plants outside in a shaded area for about a few hours each day.

2.    Then gradually increase the sunlight exposure over seven to ten days.

3.     Then bring the Lavender plant indoors at night if the temperatures are cold.

Doing this actually helps to prevent transplant shock.

Choosing the Right Outdoor Location For The Lavender Plant

The lavender plants really loves sunny, dry conditions.

Sunlight Requirement

Make sure you choose a spot that actually receives full sun for at least six to eight hours daily.

Soil Requirement

The lavender plants really grow best in sandy or a good well-draining soil with a neutral to slightly alkaline pH.

Keep in mind that heavy clay soil can easily cause root rot because it holds too much moisture. If your soil drains poorly you can improve your soil with sand or gravel.

Providing Air Circulation For The Lavender Plant

A good airflow around the Lavender plants will help to prevent fungal diseases.

Growing Lavender Plants Outdoors

You need to space the lavender plants about twelve to twenty-four inches apart depending on the Lavender variety.

You need to dig a hole slightly larger than the plant root ball and then place the Lavender plant at the same depth it was growing in its pot.

Make sure you water lightly after planting.

Watering The Lavender Plants

The lavender plants are drought-tolerant once the plants are established.

The Young Lavender Plants

The newly transplanted lavender plants really need regular watering until the plant roots develop.

The Established Lavender Plants

The mature Lavender plants really prefer dry conditions. You can water the plant deeply but infrequently. Make sure you allow the soil to dry between watering.

Also don’t forget that too much water can weaken the Lavender plant and also cause disease.

Fertilizing The Lavender Plant

The lavender plant does not really require heavy feeding.

Too much fertilizer on the Lavender plant can make the plant to produce excessive leafy growth with fewer flowers.

If required, you can add a small amount of compost or a good balanced fertilizer in spring.

Lavender Plant Mulching Tips

You can actually use some gravel or small stones around the lavender plants instead of a heavy organic mulch.

Keep in mind that organic mulch can trap too much moisture around the plant stems and roots.

Pruning Lavender Plant

Pruning the Lavender plant really help the lavender plant stay compact and also encourages more blooms.

When to Prune Lavender Plant

·  You can lightly trim the plant after flowering

·  Make sure you do a larger pruning in spring

Make sure you avoid cutting into the old woody stems because the lavender plant may not re-grow from them.

Also read: How to Grow Coneflowers From Seed

Some of The Common Problems When Growing Lavender Plants

Poor Germination of The Lavender Plant

This is mostly caused by the following:

·  Old Lavender plant seeds

·  Lack of lavender seeds stratification

·  Overwatering of the plant

·  Insufficient light on the plant

Root Rot

This is usually caused by wet soil or poor drainage.

Leggy Lavender Plant Seedlings

The lavender plant seedlings will become weak and stretched when they do not actually receive sufficient light.