Taking care of Spanish lavender indoors can be relatively easy and straightforward with just a few steps. To begin, find a spot in your home that provides a good amount of direct or indirect sunlight for the lavender.
This will give the plant the light it needs to grow and thrive. Depending on the amount of light your home receives, you may require additional artificial light sources to give the plant proper light coverage.
Next, provide your Spanish lavender with well-draining soil that is slightly acidic. You can use a mix of equal parts of perlite, pine bark, and potting soil. To ensure proper drainage, it is important to have a pot with good drainage holes or a saucer or tray to collect excess water and help maintain the soil’s moisture levels.
Watering your Spanish lavender is also important. Keep the soil moist but not wet; let the top few inches of soil dry out before you water again. Taking this approach helps reduce the chances of disease, pests, and root rot.
Finally, prune the Spanish lavender regularly to keep it healthy and bushy. When the tips of the stems start to become spindly, cut them off above a pair of leaves. This will help promote new growth and encourage a bushier plant shape.
Regularly remove any dead stems or leaves and discard them in the trash. With proper care, you can easily enjoy having a Spanish lavender inside your home.
Can Spanish lavender be potted?
Yes, it is possible to pot Spanish lavender. Potted Spanish lavender will need a well-draining soil and a pot with several holes in the bottom for drainage. It is also important to place the pot in an area that is sunny and has good air circulation.
When it comes to watering, Spanish lavender should be watered thoroughly and then left to dry out slightly before being watered again. You may need to water your Spanish lavender more often in the summer months or in hot, dry conditions.
Fertilizer should also be added to the plant every three to four weeks during the growing season in order to help it thrive.
Which lavender is for indoors?
The type of lavender you will want to use indoors depends on the space you have available as well as your climate. English lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) is the most popular type of lavender for indoor use because it is the most fragrant, hardy and drought tolerant variety.
It is also the easiest to keep indoors because it doesn’t require much humidity or fertilizer. French lavender (Lavandula dentata)is another variety of lavender that does very well indoors, though its scent is a bit milder than that of the English lavender.
It is better suited for cool conditions because it prefers cooler temperatures. Spanish lavender (Lavandula stoechas) is another type of lavender that can tolerate more extreme temperatures than others, making it a great option for inhospitable indoor climates.
However, because it is not as fragrant as other varieties and it blossoms once a year, it’s not the best choice for an indoor lavender garden. Lavandin (Lavandula x intermedia), a hybrid variety, is hardier than many other varieties and can survive indoors when given the proper conditions.
It is slightly more fragrant than Spanish lavender and produces blossoms more often.
Can you grow lavender year round inside?
No, you cannot grow lavender year round inside. Lavender is a Mediterranean plant that needs a lot of sunlight and very well-drained soil. It cannot survive in the cold temperatures usually found indoors and the lack of sunlight indoors will stunt its growth.
It is best to grow lavender outdoors or in a greenhouse or sunroom, where it can get plenty of sunlight and temperatures will remain mild so that the plant can thrive. If you want to try growing lavender indoors, make sure to provide it with a south-facing window and supplement with a grow light to give it the sunlight it needs.
Be sure to also provide humidity and well-drained, slightly acidic soil to help the lavender stay healthy.
Can I bring potted lavender inside for the winter?
Yes, you can bring potted lavender inside for the winter. Taking lavender indoors can be an easy way to enjoy their fragrant blooms year-round. The best time to bring potted lavender indoors is in late autumn, right before the start of winter.
Do make sure to check for any pests or diseases before you bring the plant indoors. Once you bring the lavender inside, place it somewhere bright, with indirect sunlight and good ventilation. You should also keep the soil moist, but not soggy, and give the plant extra humidity, if necessary.
You also want to make sure you don’t expose the lavender to temperatures that get too cold or too hot, or to extreme temperature fluctuations. Once the temperature outside warms up in the spring, you can take the lavender back outside.
Will Spanish lavender survive winter?
The answer to whether Spanish lavender will survive the winter will depend on a few things, including the region and the specific species of Spanish lavender. Some of the most common Spanish lavender varieties, such as Lavandula stoechas, tend to be hardy in USDA Hardiness Zones 8-11, which means they can survive temperatures down to 10°F.
This means that in warmer regions with milder winters, many Spanish lavender varieties could potentially survive through the winter.
In colder regions, though, Spanish lavender varieties might not survive temperatures below freezing. In those areas, it’s best to plant the lavender in a location that offers some protection from the winter winds and cold temperatures.
Placing the plants near a south-facing wall, for example, can help offer some protection. It’s also best to shelter the plant with a thick layer of mulch, such as straw or leaves, once temperatures drop below freezing.
If freezing temperatures occur, it can help to wrap the Spanish lavender in a winter blanket to help protect the plant from the cold.
Ultimately, while in milder regions Spanish lavender can potentially survive through the winter, in colder regions the plant is likely to need protection throughout the winter months.
Is Spanish lavender cold hardy?
Yes, Spanish lavender (Lavandula stoechas) is cold hardy and can survive temperatures as low as 10°F when planted in the right conditions. It’s important to plant Spanish lavender in a sunny, well-drained location with soil that has a neutral pH balance.
It’s generally recommended to apply a layer of mulch during the winter months to help protect the roots and keep them from freezing. Additionally, Spanish lavender can become quite tall and should be pruned regularly to keep it looking its best.
In areas where winter weather is particularly intense, some gardeners will dig up their Spanish lavender in early fall and keep it in a protected environment until spring.
Can I put a lavender plant in my bedroom?
Yes, you can put a lavender plant in your bedroom! Lavender is known for its calming and relaxing properties, and its beautiful color and distinctive smell make it a great addition to any home. The plant is known to aid in sleep and reduce stress when used correctly, so it can be a great way to create a soothing environment in your bedroom.
The plant can also be used as a natural air freshener and helps remove mosquitoes, moths, and other pests from the room. Additionally, lavender is easy to care for and requires minimal maintenance, making it a great choice for both beginner and experienced gardeners.
When growing your lavender, make sure it has enough sunlight, drainage, and regular watering. You should also check your soil pH and fertilize your lavender periodically to ensure it stays healthy and vibrant.
Does lavender keep bugs away?
Yes, lavender is an effective deterrent for a variety of bugs. Lavender essential oil has been known to repel mosquitoes, flies, fleas, and moths. A 2014 study conducted by Iowa State University tested the effectiveness of using essential oils to repel mosquitos and found that lavender was the second most effective out of the 10 plants they tested.
A 2011 German study found that a certain combination of lavender and eucalyptus oils worked to repel flies. Additionally, lavender has been used in flea control with positive results. Finally, lavender oil is prized as an effective natural moth repellent.
You can purchase lavender essential oil or dried lavender and use it either in a diffuser or add it directly to clothing and linens.
Which lavender is easiest to grow?
Lavender English, or Lavandula angustifolia, is the easiest type of lavender to grow. It has a longer flowering season than other types of lavender, making it a great choice for any avid gardener. This type of lavender typically needs plenty of sun, but not much water.
It is drought tolerant, yet it will still thrive in rainy climates as long as it is given plenty of sunlight and soil with excellent drainage. English lavender is a non-invasive, low-maintenance type of lavender that can be propagated easily from stem cuttings.
It can also be grown from seed, although it may take a little longer for the plants to mature. Its small, fragrant purple flowers will bloom from spring until fall. It is also relatively pest- and disease-resistant.
Therefore, English lavender is the best choice for growing as a garden perennial, in container gardens, or for cut flowers.
How often should I water my indoor lavender plant?
For best health, it’s generally recommended to water indoor lavender plants once every 7-14 days. The amount of water needed will vary depending on the size of the pot, the type of soil, the temperature, and the relative humidity.
A good rule of thumb is to check the soil’s moisture levels by feeling the surface of the soil with your finger or a soil moisture probe. If the soil feels dry at least 2 inches down, it’s time to water.
Make sure to water the soil fully, until it drains out the bottom of the pot, and discard the excess water in the saucer. This helps to keep the roots well-fed, and avoids the risk of overwatering, which can lead to root rot and other fungal diseases.
Should I deadhead Spanish Lavender?
Yes, deadheading Spanish Lavender can be beneficial. Deadheading Spanish Lavender, or removing the spent flowers, can help to promote additional blooming and can keep the plant looking neat and tidy.
It is the natural process of removing wilted, spent flowers to stimulate the growth and flowering of new ones, as well as removing any seedheads.
When deadheading, it’s important to cut back to just below the flower as this encourages side branching and more flowers, instead of continuing to extend the stem. This also helps to prevent the spread of any diseased foliage.
Deadheading can also help to improve air circulation within the plant and reduce the chances of fungal diseases by allowing more light into the plant’s canopy.
It’s important to take care when deadheading Spanish Lavender as the foliage may be easily damaged. It is best to use sharp scissors or shears to remove the spent flowers and avoid over-pruning the plant.
Regular deadheading is typically recommended throughout the flowering season, so it is best to deadhead Spanish Lavender plants regularly.
What is the difference between lavender and Spanish lavender?
The two varieties of lavender – regular lavender and Spanish lavender – are both members of the same genus of flowering plants known as Lavandula. They share many traits and are often used interchangeably.
However, there are a few key differences between regular lavender and Spanish lavender.
One of the most noticeable differences between the two is in the size of the plants and their flowers. Regular lavender tends to have upright stems, with a height ranging anywhere from 30 cm to 60 cm and clusters of smallish flowers.
On the other hand, Spanish lavender has much more compact, shrub-like growth with a width ranging from 30 cm to 60 cm and larger, sparser clusters of flowers.
Another important difference is in the amount of essential oil they produce. Regular lavender contains slightly higher levels of it, with a refreshing and sweet scent that many find quite calming. Spanish lavender, on the other hand, has a much more peppery, woody scent, but it tends to have a lower amount of essential oils.
Finally, there are subtle distinctions in the type of lavender’s usage. Regular lavender is typically used in flower arrangements, as well as in culinary dishes and teas. Spanish lavender, meanwhile, is often used as a medicinal plant, with its leaves and flowers used to treat stomach ailments or as an anti-inflammatory agent.
Ultimately, whether using regular lavender or Spanish lavender, you’re sure to benefit from their calming and healing characteristics.
