Forget Fertilizer - Here's The Real Secret To Growing Thriving Lavender Plants

Lavender (Lavendula spp.), a remarkably versatile plant, is used in the kitchen, as an ingredient in essential oils and sachets, and as a sleep aid or anxiety reducer among other things. English lavender (Lavendula augustifolia), the most popular of all the varieties, is not picky about its growing conditions, thriving in nearly all soils, even the most nutrient-poor. Adding fertilizer to its growing medium is not only a waste of time and money, it's not helpful for the plant, causing it to produce lots of foliage but few flowers. Lavender's only requirement for an endless supply of flowers is well-drained soil. It can even survive low-light conditions. If the soil and sun condition are not ideal, lavender can happily grow in containers or raised beds.

Well-drained soil allows water to flow through it quickly without pooling. If the soil itself remains soggy, the roots of the plants cannot get enough oxygen. Since lavender is drought-tolerant, it needs minimal watering beyond rainfall. Too much will lead to root and crown rot. Sloping sites with loamy soil tend to be well-draining. If you are not sure about the drainage capabilities of your soil, you can dig a large hole, fill it with water, and see how long it takes to drain. Well-draining soil should decrease water by about an inch every hour.

If you have poor draining soil, luckily there are ways you can improve it. However, there are a few circumstances that may be difficult to overcome. A depression in your yard will collect water and will be slow to drain. A high-water table or a layer of hard pan under the soil can present a challenge. If your drainage problem is a matter of correcting the soil, start by tilling it or turning it. Work in a 6-inch layer of compost or organic mulch. Add a 50/50 ratio of sand and heavy clay soil. You will know the soil is ready for planting when a ball of compacted dirt breaks apart when you gently bounce it.

If your soil is not easy to amend because of a high-water table or hard pan under the topsoil, you can still grow lavender in raised beds or containers filled with the right soil. But make sure you are aware of the differences between potting and garden soils. Fill a raised bed with a mixture of loamy commercial topsoil and compost. A soilless potting mix, rather than potting or garden soil, is best for containers. Lavender grown in containers may need fertilizer, depending on the type of soil it's planted in. Usually, a one-time application of a slow-release fertilizer will suffice.