Lavender is a very popular aromatic plant both indoors and in orchards and gardens. This plant, with numerous culinary and medicinal uses, also has the ability to attract beneficial pollinating insects, such as bees and ladybugs, so having lavender is always a good idea. In addition, its characteristic violet flowers are very pretty, and its pleasant smell will make any space or room more pleasant. As if all this were not enough, it is a plant with a great capacity to adapt to a wide range of conditions, so anyone can dare to get hold of them.
In this EcologíaVerde article we teach you when and how to reproduce lavenderand it is that, although it is possible to plant it from seeds, its reproduction by cuttings is much more practical and faster.
When to reproduce lavender
Since we are going to reproduce lavender by cuttings, we must try to do it in a moment of temperate climate, which is to which this plant is better adapted. Thus, it is best to choose a time when temperatures are neither too high nor too low. In most climates, this occurs in the early fall and spring. However, if you live in an area with a very constant tropical climate, you can do it practically all year round.
With this other EcologíaVerde post, we suggest you get to know the different types of lavender so you can see which one fits best in your home.
How to reproduce lavender – step by step
By reproducing by cuttings, we achieve a very fast reproduction of the plant, since in a few weeks we will have an adult and healthy specimen. It is also a fairly safe method in species that allow it, such as lavender, and it will give rise to a plant that is an exact copy of the mother plant. follow these steps to reproduce lavender by cuttings:
- Disinfect the scissors or knife with which you are going to cut the lavender. This is a very necessary step whenever you work with pruning or cuttings, since if you are not careful, you could transmit diseases to the plant and spread them to others later on.
- make the cuttings. Make your cuts cleanly, choosing woody branches that have a good number of secondary branches. Then, cut the secondary branches close to their source, just a few centimeters along the main branch, but being careful not to damage it. These cuttings, when buried, will help the cutting to form roots more easily. If the cutting has very small and still green secondary twigs, simply remove them with your hands.
- Dip lavender cuttings in rooting. For this, you can use rooting hormone like the one sold in specialized surfaces, or prepare your own at home with one of the many available methods. Soak the cuttings in the prepared rooting agent for about an hour.
- Prepare the pot or container. The ideal is to use clay pots, although plastic ones can also be useful for this. In any case, it is very important that the container has drainage holes.
- With respect to substrate for cuttings, here the best thing is to prepare your own special mixture for the cuttings. Use a part of coconut fiber, one of peat and one of sand. This substrate will be very light and suitable for plants in this delicate state. Do not use peat or soil that you have previously grown in, as this could contain pests or diseases.
- Plant the lavender cuttings. Make a hole in the substrate with a pen or your finger and bury the lavender cuttings.
- water the cuttings abundantly but without flooding. To help the cuttings grow in a more stable environment, you can cover the pot with a cut plastic bottle or something similar, which will act as a greenhouse.
In about 4-6 weeks, your lavender cuttings will have taken root and are ready to be transplanted to their final location. For when that time comes, here’s a simple guide to when and how to repot a plant.
Lavender care – simple guide
After learning to reproduce lavender, now it’s time to know their care to be able to cultivate the plants that you have achieved. Actually, you will see that lavender is not very demanding in its care. As long as you have these points on the lavender care taken into account, it will be enough for her to develop well and be healthy.
- Light: it is one of the few important things that the plant needs. Always locate it in a well-lit area or room, where it receives six or more hours of direct light per day. Only if you live in an area with an extraordinarily intense sun, you should cover it with it.
- Climate: Lavender is typical of temperate climates and appreciates them, although it can adapt to cold and warm climates.
- Location: Don’t crowd the different lavender buds too close together when planting, as they will do better with space.
- Irrigation: once a week in warm months is usually enough. However, if you notice that the substrate is very dry, water it more often. Do not wet its leaves, stems or flowers when watering it.
- Pruning: gentle pruning once a year will make the plant grow stronger and healthier. Learn more about this topic with this practical guide on When and How to Prune Lavender.
Finally, extend this new knowledge with this other gardening guide on the Care of the potted lavender plant.
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