Can You Separate Lavender Plants? A Guide to Propagating Lavender

Lavender is a popular herb prized for its fragrant flowers and aromatic foliage. Their shrubby growth habit lends a beautiful texture and presence to gardens. Many gardeners want to expand their lavender plantings, which leads to the question: can you separate lavender plants to make more?

Unfortunately, dividing lavender is not recommended. Here is an overview of lavender propagation and the challenges of separating lavender plants

Overview of Lavender Plants

Lavender belongs to the mint family Lamiaceae Popular species include

  • English lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)
  • French lavender (Lavandula dentata)
  • Spanish lavender (Lavandula stoechas)

Lavender grows as a woody perennial subshrub reaching 1-3 feet tall The slender leaves are delicately scented, Flowers bloom on spikes from late spring into summer

Can You Split Lavender Plants?

Lavender has a taproot and woody base, which makes division difficult. While plants can technically be split, this risks:

  • Damaging the taproot
  • Killing the parent plant
  • Low success rate for divisions

For this reason, dividing lavender is not recommended as a propagation method.

Better Ways to Propagate Lavender

Instead of division, use these safer lavender propagation techniques:

  • Take 3-4 inch cuttings from new growth in spring/summer. Root in potting mix.

  • Start from seed indoors for genetic diversity.

  • Layer flexible stems that touch the ground to promote rooting.

  • Transplant small offshoots very carefully to avoid disturbing the taproot.

These methods allow making new plants without putting the parent plant at risk.

When to Divide Lavender

If you do attempt division, do it in early spring as growth resumes or in fall after flowering. Avoid dividing in summer.

Only divide mature, overgrown plants that are declining. Avoid disturbing young, healthy lavender.

How to Divide Lavender

If dividing lavender, follow these tips:

  • Dig up the entire mature plant carefully.

  • Shake off excess soil but keep roots intact.

  • With a sharp, sterile knife, cut the plant into sections, ensuring each has some roots and stems.

  • Avoid damaging the taproot and woody stems.

  • Replant divisions quickly into pots using fresh potting mix.

  • Keep divisions sheltered and well-watered as they recover from transplanting.

Caring for Divided Lavender

Dividing lavender is stressful for the plants. Follow good aftercare:

  • Shelter potted divisions in shade at first.

  • Water frequently but avoid oversaturation.

  • Allow several weeks for roots to recover before replanting.

  • Harden off gradually before moving outdoors.

  • Transplant into garden when divisions are established.

Even with great care, division risks transplant shock and losses. Taking cuttings is a much better way to propagate lavender successfully.

Can You Separate Lavender? Key Takeaways

  • Separating lavender plants is not recommended – their taproot resents division.

  • Taking cuttings is the best way to propagate lavender without harming the plant.

  • Only divide mature, overgrown lavender shrubs to rejuvenate them.

  • Division risks killing the parent plant and losses of divisions.

  • Layering, seeds, cuttings, and offshoots are safer propagation methods.

can you separate lavender plants

Community Q&ASearch

  • Community Answer: Yes, you can take cuttings from your plant at the end of summer and keep them in pots inside for the winter. Just make sure the pots you use indoors are big enough and that you give your plant the care it needs.
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  • If you take a few cuttings from a healthy lavender plant, it shouldn’t hurt the mother plant. You can care for it as usual. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0 .
  • If your lavender plant is between three and five years old, you can kill it to make dozens of new cuttings. In the spring, bury the stems’ bottom 12 inches (30 cm) with a mound of wet soil. Shake the stems and pack down the soil to get rid of any air pockets. Take the mound apart in the middle of autumn, a few weeks before the first frost, and cut off the stems where they have grown new woody branches. Thanks Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0 .
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StepsMethod

  • 1 Use cuttings instead of division to create new plants. If you want to make more lavender plants, try to spread them by cuttings instead of dividing them. Cuttings are more likely to live and are easier to start. Dividing plants greatly raises their risk of dying, so they should only be done if they have to in order to stay alive.
  • 2 If your lavender is overgrown, try pruning instead. Because there is a high chance of death after division, even a lavender plant that is too big should not be split up very often. Instead, cut off about ⅓ of its branches, leaving some of the plant’s new, green growth. 1. The lavender plant should be pruned in the spring or early summer, right after new growth starts. When you prune plants in the fall, they may waste energy on new growth, leaving them open to frost. In the first year, when the plants are still growing roots, do not prune them. If the old, woody growth is already too big for your garden, you might want to take a few cuttings and get rid of the old plant once the new ones have been growing for a year. Division is a more rapid but riskier solution. Advertisement .
  • 3. Look for a steady drop in flowering from year to year before you think about dividing the plant. Keep an eye on how many flowers your lavender grows compared to years past. A small or short-term drop could be because of changes in the weather. It might be safest to start new plants from cuttings and keep an eye on how the old plant grows.
  • 4 Examine the center of the lavender plant. Lavender plants that are getting old may start to die in the middle and only flower on the outside. This is one of the only times when you might need to divide a lavender plant. However, there is a good chance that any lavender plant that is divided will die. There are different views on whether a younger or older plant is less likely to divide. [2] .
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How to Divide Lavender Plants

FAQ

How do you split lavender plants?

I recently asked some professional lavender growers about lavender plant division and the general response was that lavender is a sub-shrub and, hence, can’t be divided. Lavender plants are a typical sub-shrub in that they only have a single stem and root system.

Does lavender spread on its own?

Lavender is a small shrub that usually grows 20 to 24 inches tall and wide. The height includes the flower stalks, so when not in bloom, the foliage may be only a foot tall. The plant does not spread as thyme, oregano, and other herbs tend to.

Can you break off lavender and replant it?

Yup! Dig it up! Lavender is pretty sturdy, so if you get a 12” root ball you should be fine; during transport try to keep it moist (if you can get a burlap sack and soak it in water that’d work great), and try to replant it asap. If you replant it and it starts to fade, don’t give up!

Can you split a lavender plant?

Yes, you can split up lavender plants. It is a relatively easy process, and can be done in a few simple steps. First, you need to dig up the entire plant and separate the root ball into two or more parts. Cut away any dead or unhealthy roots. Next, replant the divided sections in separate pots or in your garden. Can lavender flowers be propagated?

Can you divide a lavender Bush?

However, it should not be planted too densely, so that the lavender plants still have enough space to grow. However, dividing a lavender bush is possible only if it has rooted in several places in the ground. Unfortunately, the severe lignification of older plants often further complicates the process.

Why is dividing lavender so difficult?

Here’s why dividing lavender can be tricky: Lavender has a taproot, so the root system does not readily divide. Established lavender plants often only have 1-2 main woody stems. Dividing the roots and woody stems risks killing the parent plant. Lavender division has a low success rate compared to cuttings.

Can lavender plants be divided?

Transplant shock is another concern when dividing lavender plants. To minimize stress on the plants, water them well before dividing, keep the root ball intact as much as possible, and provide them with gentle care and attention during the post-transplant period. Can all lavender varieties be divided?

How often should you divide lavender plants?

Dividing lavender plants is a simple process that can have a significant impact on their health and longevity. By dividing them every few years, you can rejuvenate your lavender plants, promote healthy growth, and even propagate new plants.

How do you divide a lavender plant?

If you wish to attempt lavender division, here are some tips: Select an overgrown lavender plant – Choose a 3+ year old lavender shrub that is declining in vigor and flowering. Avoid dividing young, healthy plants. Time it right – Divide lavender in early spring as growth resumes or in fall after flowering. Avoid summertime division.

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