How to Care for Lavender Plants

First note that lavender is a wild shrub, so if we choose to plant lavender at home, very little care is needed to keep this plant alive. You can benefit from all lavender's properties and use it in multiple cosmetic applications and those related to health.

The soil required by a lavender plant is slightly sandy. In moderate climates it will be enough with a mix of 3 parts of soil and one of sand. In warmer climates it is better to have 3 parts of soil, 2 parts of thick sand and one part of thin sand.

If you're going to plant directly on the soil, it is better to first soften with a shovel a space of 50cm x 50cm and 30cm depth and do the mix there. First you need to check with your fingers the texture and brightness of the soil. This way you'll be able to identify whether the soil already has some sand in its natural composition.

You will have to remove all the branches and stones that are in that area. When the area is clean and ready, you'll have to fertilize the soil with one of the two following techniques:

• Organic waste: put in the base some organic waste such as the remains of fruits and vegetables, especially the skin. Avoid seeds, given that we don't want other type of plants to grow on that soil. Also, try not to add the juice of the fruits and vegetables. It is better if you rinse with water the peel of the organic waste before putting it in the soil.
• Chemical products: there is a huge variety of chemical products that can be used to fertilize the soil. You can find them in any gardening store or even in supermarkets. Every type of chemical fertilizer will come with different instructions as to how to use it. Read them carefully and follow the steps for a correct fertilizing of the soil.

To properly take care of your lavender plant, you should make sure it has a proper drainage system at all times; this is why dry and sandy substrates that don't retain water are recommended. This plant doesn't require much watering so be sure to always avoid pooling water, otherwise the roots will rot and the plant will die. The location you choose to grow your lavender is also very important, as it requires abundant sunshine to grow properly.

As mentioned above, don't overdo watering your lavender since it is a plant of dry climates and is very tolerant to drought. Therefore weekly watering is enough and you should always make sure that the ground has dried from the last time before you water it again.

It's also important for lavender to have enough space to grow, so if you've planted it directly in the soil of your yard or garden, make sure it has a wide area so it can spread. For potted lavender, transplant it to a larger pot if it gets too small.

It's also worth mentioning that you should prune it to make it to grow stronger. Prune lavender after it has flowered which usually occurs in the spring or summer, although it can vary. Then remove all the dry or damaged branches, so that coming flowers grow healthier.

Collecting the lavender flowers is recommended starting from the second flowering onward of the shrub or bush. Likewise, when drying lavender plants, hang the cuttings upside down in a dark place; then you can save the lavender in jars to use when you want.

You can create many things using lavender as a main ingredient. Read the following articles and discover how to make the most of your lavender plant.

• How to make lavender oil
• How to make lavender soap
• How to make lavender water spray

If you want to read similar articles to How to Care for Lavender Plants, we recommend you visit our Gardening & plants category.