After lavender blooms, it is important to keep the plant healthy and able to produce flowers for the following season. After flowering has finished, take the time to deadhead, or remove the spent blooms, to ensure the plant retains a neat and tidy look.
Pruning each plant back to the second set of side shoots will also help its shape and promote new growth. In addition, you should consider lightly fertilizing the plants once during the growing season and removing fallen blooms that could otherwise become harboring grounds for pests.
To prevent powdery mildew and other diseases, be sure to adequately space the plants and ensure they receive good air circulation. Finally, lavender requires well-drained soil. When needed, consider adding a fresh soil mix that is high in organic content.
All these actions will help the lavender plant recover after blooming and remain healthy and productive for years to come.
Should I cut back lavender after flowering?
Yes, you should cut back lavender after flowering. Lavender flowers on current season’s growth, so pruning the plant will promote new growth and help it remain bushy and healthy. It’s best to prune after flowering has finished, which is usually in late summer or early fall.
Cut back the plant to right above the spent flower stalks. This will encourage branching and help the plant produce more flowers next season. Avoid pruning too much, as lavender can become leggy and spindly if pruned too severely.
In fact, it’s usually best to wait till a full third of the plant is spent before pruning. Prune your lavender with sharp pruners and always try to make square cuts to minimize damage to the plant.
What happens if you don’t cut lavender flowers?
If you don’t cut lavender flowers, you will miss out on a number of benefits that are associated with taking a snip of the blooms. Firstly, cutting lavender flowers helps to promote the growth of new blooms, as it ‘triggers’ the plant to focus energy on creating additional blossoms.
When left untouched, lavender often stops blooming as it uses energy to focus on the production of seed instead. Secondly, cutting lavender flowers also helps to minimize pest infestations, as deadheads are removed and the plant is kept tidy and healthy.
Furthermore, taking cuttings of lavender can be useful for decorative purposes, and the fragrant lavender scent can be used to create homemade potpourri and remedies. Last but not least, cutting lavender flowers can contribute to the longevity of the plant, as the flowers are likely to fade rapidly when left to bloom.
How do you know when to cut lavender?
When knowing when to cut lavender, first you want to check for flower buds. You want to wait until most of the flowers on the lower portion of the stem have bloomed, and you can see the buds of flowers on the top of the stem that are just starting to open.
Once the lower blooms have opened, it’s time to cut. Be sure to cut the stems with a pair of pruning shears or scissors that have been wiped down with alcohol to prevent the spread of disease. Lavender should be cut early in the morning on a dry day, as this is when the plant has the most essential oil.
Cut stem right below the flower buds, leaving the stem at least four inches long. Aim for at least a few inches of stem below the flower buds. Once cut, you can hang or lay out the blooming bunches in a dry place and with good air flow.
After a couple of weeks, it will be dry and you can store your lavender in an air-tight container in a cool, dark place.
Can I prune lavender in March?
Yes, you can prune lavender in March. Lavender is a resilient plant and can survive pruning even in cold winter months. By pruning in March, you are allowing the lavender time to start its new growth cycle, which can help promote a more lush and healthy plant.
Deadheading the lavender in March, or cutting off the spent flower heads, is recommended as it can help promote new blooms for the summer months. For hardy lavender, it is also okay to prune a little of the old foliage down.
However, depending on your climate, you should use caution to ensure it is warm enough for your lavender to survive pruning.
Should you deadhead lavender?
Yes, it is typically recommended that you deadhead lavender. Deadheading lavender involves removing spent or faded flower heads whenever you see them. This helps to promote a bushier form for the plant, as well as encourage more blooms for the next growing season.
Deadheading can also be beneficial for aesthetic purposes, as removing the spent or faded blooms can help make your lavender look neat and tidy. When it comes to when to deadhead lavender, it is typically best to do so toward the end of the blooming season.
The process of deadheading lavender usually only involves using sharp scissors or shears, so it doesn’t require too much work. Just be sure to protect your eyes when deadheading, as any plants that produce pollen can cause allergies.
How many times a year does lavender bloom?
Lavender typically blooms one time each year. Generally, this bloom period begins in mid-spring and extends until early-summer. Depending on the climate and variety of lavender grown, this period can vary greatly.
In areas with more moderate climates, blooming may start as early as late-winter and extend until late-summer. In very hot climates, the bloom period may be shorter, usually extending from late-spring to early-summer.
Growing lavender in its optimal environment can help ensure longer and better-looking blooms.
Does lavender come back every year?
Yes, lavender will come back every year provided that the growing and maintenance conditions are adequate for it to thrive. As a perennial, lavender will usually come back each year as long as the temperature does not dip below -5°C.
Lavender plants can be kept over winter by either cutting them back after flowering and covering the plant with a thick layer of mulch, or by bringing it indoors and placing it in a sunny spot. Additionally, well-drained soil is essential for lavender to thrive, as standing water can cause root rot and harm the plant.
If these conditions are met, then you can expect lavender to come back year after year in your garden.
How do you keep lavender blooming?
To keep lavender blooming, you should provide the plants with full sun, regular watering, and good drainage. Also, cut approximately one-third of the stems of lavender in the middle of summer. This encourages new growth and leads to a larger and more plentiful bloom.
Additionally, lavender performs best when kept in a cool, dry area with little humidity. So, make sure to plant yours in an area that receives plenty of sunlight and has well-draining soil. Additionally, lavender should be pruned regularly, preferably in the spring.
This removes older stems, which not only helps promote new growth but also allows for an even, full display of the blooms. Finally, it’s important to fertilize your lavender with an all-purpose, balanced fertilizer.
Following these tips should ensure that your lavender continues to provide beautiful blooms throughout the growing season.
Should lavender be cut back before winter?
Yes, it is recommended that you cut back your lavender plants before the winter season. Lavender is considered a tender perennial, meaning it can survive winters if the climate isn’t too harsh, but it’s best to take precautions to protect it.
Pruning back your lavender plants encourages strong new growth in the spring and will help them recover better after the winter. This should be done in late summer/early fall before the temperatures begin to drop.
When pruning, cut back the stems of the lavender plants to just above a pair of leaves. This will help keep the plant shapely and encourage healthy new growth in the spring. Removing the spent flowers during the summer months is also recommended, as this helps the plant retain energy for a stronger recovery in the spring.
How do you use fresh lavender as air freshener?
Using fresh lavender as an air freshener is a great way to add a pleasant and calming scent to any room. Using a handful of fresh lavender sprigs, a few drops of lavender essential oil, and a mason jar with a lid, you can create a natural air freshener that will bring a calming and soothing aroma to your home.
To begin, add the lavender sprigs to the mason jar, and carefully pour several drops of lavender essential oil over the top. Close the lid tightly, shake the jar to evenly distribute the essential oil.
To refresh the scent, shake the jar and open the lid for several minutes each day. The scent of the lavender will fill the air with a soothing and calming aroma.
You can also use dried lavender for the same effect, however it won’t be as potent. Simply add several sprigs of dried lavender to the mason jar, close the lid, and shake. After several hours, the scent of lavender will be in the air.
To refresh the scent, shake the jar and open the lid for a few minutes.
Using fresh lavender as an air freshener is an easy, natural, and inexpensive way to fill any room with a pleasant and calming scent.
What is the way to dry lavender?
The best way to dry lavender is to tie bouquets of eight to ten stems and hang them upside down in a warm, well-ventilated area, away from direct sunlight. It is important to dry the lavender in a place with good air flow and away from moisture.
You can hang the bouquets in a closet, where you should keep the door open for proper air circulation. Another option could be to spread out the lavender on a drying screen or screen tray. If doing this, you should place them in a warm, airy spot with low humidity.
You will be able to tell when the lavender is completely dry when it has become crisp, and the stems and flowers easily break apart. The entire drying process usually takes several weeks depending on factors such as drying method, temperature, and humidity.
Why does my dried lavender not smell?
If your dried lavender doesn’t smell, it may be due to several different factors. One possibility is that the lavender might not have been properly dried after it was harvested. It is important that when lavender is harvested, it is left to dry in a cool and dark place for at least two weeks.
This drying process helps to retain its strong perfume. If it was not dried properly, the scent won’t be as strong. Additionally, if the dried lavender was exposed to too much light and heat, or stored in an area that is too moist, the scent may not be as fragrant.
To help restore some of the scent, try crushing the dried lavender leaves by rubbing or rolling them together between your palms. Doing this releases the natural oils in the lavender, which can help bring back some of its scent.
It’s also important to make sure that you’re storing the dried lavender in a cool, dark, and dry place. Herbs and spices, including lavender, can make you more sensitive to light and air, so it should be stored in an airtight container to help lock in the scent.
Do you put fresh lavender in water?
Yes, you can put fresh lavender in water. Lavender can be used to add a pleasant, floral scent to the room. To do this, simply cut the stems of fresh lavender, put them in a vase, and fill it with water.
To get an even better scent, you can add a few drops of essential oil for a more pronounced aroma. Once that’s done, place the lavender where you need the scent and enjoy. Keep in mind you will need to change the water and snip the stems every few days to keep the scent alive.
Does lavender need water in a vase?
Yes, lavender needs water in a vase. Whether you are using fresh or dried lavender, it is important to make sure that the water level always remains high enough to cover the base of the lavender stems.
If the stems are submerged in water, the flowers will stay vibrant and full for a longer period of time. When changing the water, make sure to use lukewarm water to avoid shocking the flowers. It is best to change the water every few days, especially when using fresh lavender, as this will help to keep the flowers healthy and free from bacteria.
Overall, it is important to make sure that lavender has sufficient water in its vase for it to stay looking fresh and vibrant for a longer period of time.
