Seasonal Lavender Care: A Year-Round Guide to Your Potted Plant

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 Lavender is a tough and beautiful plant, but it thrives on a seasonal routine. From its burst of new growth in spring to its quiet dormancy in winter, a lavender plant’s needs change dramatically. The good news is that potted lavender is even easier to care for than an in-ground plant, as you have complete control over its environment.

This guide will walk you through the essential care routines for each season, ensuring your lavender stays healthy and fragrant all year long.

Spring: New Beginnings

Spring is the season of new growth for your lavender. This is the perfect time to plant or repot your plant and set it up for a successful year.

  • Planting and Repotting: Plant your lavender in a well-draining potting mix in a pot with a drainage hole. Spring is the perfect time to move your plant to a slightly larger pot if it has outgrown its current home.
  • Watering: Begin watering your lavender again as temperatures rise. Water deeply but infrequently, allowing the soil to dry out completely between waterings.
  • Pruning: If you didn’t prune in the fall, now is the time. Give the plant a light trim, removing any dead or woody growth and shaping it to your liking.
Lavender

Lavender

Summer: The Season of Bloom

Summer is when your lavender will put on its best show. Your main tasks are to support this growth and keep the plant from getting stressed.

  • Sunlight is Key: Ensure your potted lavender gets at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day. A sunny spot on a patio or balcony is perfect.
  • Watering: This is critical. In hot, dry weather, you may need to water your plant more often. Check the soil every few days. A terracotta pot will dry out faster than a plastic one.
  • Deadheading: As flowers fade, be sure to deadhead them. This simple act tells the plant to divert its energy into producing new buds, resulting in more flowers.

Fall: Preparing for Rest

As temperatures cool and days become shorter, your lavender’s growth will slow down. This is the time to get it ready for winter.

  • Reduce Watering: Gradually decrease your watering frequency. Overwatering in the fall can be just as damaging as in the summer, leading to root rot.
  • Pruning: Give your plant its main prune in the fall, after it has finished blooming. Cut the plant back by about one-third, but avoid cutting into the woody base.

Winter: The Dormant Season

Your lavender is now dormant. Its primary need is protection from the cold and too much moisture.

  • The Pot’s Advantage: This is where having a potted lavender is a huge benefit. Simply move your pot to a sheltered location like a porch, unheated garage, or against a south-facing wall to protect it from harsh freezes.
  • Stop Watering: For the most part, you should stop watering your lavender in the winter. The plant is not actively growing, and a wet root system in cold weather is a recipe for disaster.
  • Avoid Fertilizer: Do not fertilize at all in the winter. The plant is resting and cannot use the nutrients, which can burn the roots.

By following this simple, year-round schedule, you’ll be giving your lavender exactly what it needs to thrive and ensuring a stunning display of color and fragrance for seasons to come.

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