It is effortless to grow and take care of lavender (Lavandula). The Mediterranean herb does not withstand dampness or cold. In the worst situation, waterlogging can cause the plant’s other parts to mold and the roots to deteriorate.
Your lavender still requires enough water to develop and flourish, so the challenge is to hydrate your cherished plant with the proper amount of water. When, how much, and how frequently you need to hydrate your lavender plant depends on the environment and planting style. This article teaches you what to look for when watering lavender.
How To Water Your Lavender Plant
Lavender is a Mediterranean plant that requires little water. To encourage roots to penetrate down and develop, you should constantly water your lavender thoroughly and liberally. The roots of your lavender plant will grow closer to the surface, with less access to water and nutrients if you seldom water it.
This recommendation is predicated on the fact that you planted your lavender in the proper type of soil, which has a porous, brittle structure that allows water to drain effectively. Be aware that you can supplement the soil with coarse sand for the best form.
How Do I Water Lavender In The Summer?
Lavender grown in a bed can obtain enough water and nutrients from deeper soil layers because of its long taproot and robust root system.
Water Lavender, particularly during lengthy droughts; when growing it in a garden bed, as little as possible should contact the irrigation water with the flowers and leaves. Water evaporates more quickly during the day if you water early in the morning. Water as near the soil as you can to avoid getting any water on the flowers or leaves. Otherwise, the fungus may develop if the plants do not dry up fast.
How Do I Water Lavender in The Winter?
Lavender is a drought-tolerant plant that hibernates over the cold season, so you won’t need to water it very often, if at all, during the colder months. The problem is that chilly soils dry out slowly in the winter. Lavender roots despise sitting in cold, wet soils, the year’s season when they are most susceptible to root rot.
During the colder seasons, water potted lavender sparingly, allowing excess moisture to drain. Water your lavender in the garden bed only as necessary in the cold season if the soil is frost-free and permeable. Otherwise, your lavender roots may be harmed if the soil’s water freezes again, owing to cold conditions. Avoid mulching your lavender since organic material holds water and can promote mold growth. It is preferable to utilize a covering of stones or sand, keeping the dry soil while providing additional heat.
How To Water Potted Lavender
If you are growing lavender in pots, it must be watered regularly but with prudence. When planting, it is best to guarantee optimal pot drainage by first laying a layer of drainage material – such as pebbles – in the pot and then spreading the soil over it. A bottom drainage hole and a matching saucer allow excess water to drain.
The substrate should be kept damp but never soggy when growing pot plants. It is recommended not to water until the top soil layer has dried, and if possible, avoid letting water flow into the saucer. If this occurs, remove the excess as quickly as possible since waterlogging causes the lavender to rot.
How Often To Water Lavender
How frequently you should water lavender is determined by various factors, including how recently the lavender was planted and where you plant the lavender. Also, how much rainfall has occurred in the previous two weeks and the time of year is vital.
- Newly Planted Lavender
When it comes to watering, newly planted lavender will require the most care and attention. More than any other type, watering freshly grown lavenders is merely to prevent transplant shock. Hydrate newly cultivated lavender immediately after planting and then every two days over the first week.
After the first week, reduce watering to once every 3 to 4 days. Water the lavender once a week for the first three months after planting.
When there has been a lot of rain and the soil feels damp, you should forego watering for a couple of days to prevent overwatering.
- Potted Lavender
Potted lavenders require a little more care than lavenders planted in the ground. Under typical conditions, potted lavender should be watered once every two weeks. I recommend you water your potted lavenders even if there’s been rainfall within the last two weeks because pots dry out faster because they are above ground. Because lavenders are designed to thrive in extremely hot and dry settings, watering potted lavender more frequently than once every two weeks is hazardous.
- Lavender In Raised Beds
During the growing season, water lavender in raised beds once every two weeks if there has been no significant rainfall in the previous two weeks. Water only if the soil remains moist to a finger’s deep. Raised beds are comparable to containers in that the soil dries up faster than if you plant the lavenders in the ground. As a result, if there has been heavy rainfall and the soil is moist to a finger’s depth, follow a very stringent routine of watering once every two weeks.
If the soil is still damp from the rain, stop watering for a few days and test it again to see if it has dried out substantially. Lavender is drought tolerant, but it will not take continuously damp soil, so avoid overwatering lavender at all costs.
- Lavender Planted Indoors
During the spring and summer months, water once every two weeks because they do not have the luxury of rainfall. Based on the temperature of the space, you may need to water indoor lavenders more frequently. A highly heated area or draughts from air conditioning might be drying to your lavender, so avoid planting it in a strong air current.
If you bring lavenders indoors for winter protection, water once every 4-6 weeks to avoid drying out altogether. If the room temperature has been unusually high, regularly check the soil moisture to a finger’s depth. Indoor lavenders may need to be watered every ten days rather than every two weeks during the summer.
Overwatering Your Lavender and How To Fix It
The following are signs of overwatering and how to fix them:
- Root Rot
Overwatering is a typical cause of root rot, which causes a lavender plant to die. You must act fast if you suspect root rot to save the plant. Remove the plant from the soil and trim any damaged roots. Then replant the lavender in well-draining soil.
- Yellowing Leaves
Overwatered lavender leaves may be yellow, beginning with the lowest leaves. Dropping, decaying odors, and soggy soil are all signs of an overwatered lavender plant. It would be best if you stopped watering till your plants shoot up again.
Underwatering Your Lavender and How To Fix It
Lavender will droop if it is not adequately hydrated, and the earth will feel entirely dry. To properly water planted lavender, wet the soil thoroughly before allowing the top inch (2.5 cm.) to dry thoroughly before watering again.