The unmistakable aroma of lavender makes it a sought-after herb for many home gardeners. With spikes of purple flowers, lavender is a beautiful addition to borders and perennial gardens. This perennial herb is not only easy to grow and take care of, but it also attracts pollinators and naturally discourages many pests, such as deer and rabbits.
Lavender is a native plant in the Mediterranean, Middle East, and India. Its name likely comes from the Latin word “lavare,” which means “to wash. ”.
The clean, fresh scent of lavender has been used for centuries in all kinds of cleaning.
Romans were known to scent their bathwater with lavender, and the French added it to seat cushions. Not only to make them smell better but also to keep away insects.
The scent is popular in aromatherapy and is commercially grown for its essential oil. Recent studies have shown that the scent of lavender can lessen anxiety and even help with sleep.
Lavender is beloved for its floral fragrance and pretty purple blooms. Many gardeners want to grow this aromatic herb from seed If you’re planting lavender seeds, you’re probably wondering – how long will it take for them to germinate?
Lavender seed germination can vary quite a bit. It can take anywhere from 14 to 30 days for the seeds to sprout The exact timing depends on several factors
Typical Germination Timeframe
- Germination usually takes 14 to 21 days.
- Some seeds may sprout in as little as 1-2 weeks.
- Others can take up to a month to germinate.
Factors That Affect Germination Speed
Several variables influence how quickly lavender seeds germinate
- Seed variety – Some lavender cultivars germinate faster than others.
- Seed age – Fresh seeds less than a year old germinate better.
- Time of year – Cooler temperatures in spring or fall delay germination.
- Soil temperature – Warmer soils speed up the process.
- Soil moisture – Seeds need consistent dampness to sprout.
- Planting depth – Seeds planted too deep take longer.
Under ideal conditions, you can expect sprouting on the shorter end of the 14 to 30 day window. But it’s not unusual for germination to take the full month.
Tips to Speed Up Lavender Germination
You can help lavender seeds germinate more quickly by providing optimal conditions:
- Start seeds indoors at 70°F (21°C). Fluctuating temperatures slow germination.
- Keep soil evenly moist, but not soggy. Allow it to just slightly dry out between waterings.
- Plant seeds at the proper depth – 1/8” deep in seed trays. Deeper delays germination.
- Use a seed starting mix for good drainage and moisture retention.
- Cover seeds with a humidome to maintain humidity.
- Provide 14-16 hours of light daily with grow lights or a sunny window.
- Avoid direct heat sources like hot, dry forced air vents.
Even with ideal conditions, err on the side of 4 weeks when planning for germination. Some seeds may sprout sooner, giving you a pleasant surprise.
What to Expect Once Lavender Germinates
Once you see the first sprouts emerge, it will still take some time before you have sizeable seedlings:
- Seedlings will form 2 small leaves initially. These juvenile leaves look different than mature foliage.
- Around 4-6 weeks after germinating, true leaves will develop. These resemble classic lavender.
- Seedlings grow slowly at first, just 1-2” high after 2 months. Faster growth follows.
- Harden off young plants before transplanting them outside in late spring after danger of frost.
- It can take up to 3 years for lavender to reach full size and flower production. But you’ll have fragrant foliage right away!
Have patience with your sprouting lavender seeds. Proper growing conditions will help them germinate successfully so you can enjoy years of fragrant blooms.
When to Start Lavender Seeds Indoors
Lavender is a Mediterranean plant that thrives in hot, dry conditions. It dislikes wet winter weather. To give the seeds a head start before transplanting outside, most gardeners start them indoors.
Follow these timeframes:
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Spring planting: Start seeds indoors 10-12 weeks before your last expected spring frost date.
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Fall planting: Start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before your first expected fall frost. Grow the seedlings indoors under lights over winter.
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Winter sowing: Refrigerate seeds in moist soil for 1 week, then move to a warm spot. This mimics winter chill.
Adjust dates as needed for your local climate and growing season.Aim to have young plants ready to go outside when soil has thoroughly warmed up in spring.
Getting Seeds Ready to Plant
To encourage the fastest, most uniform germination, proper seed preparation is key:
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Select fresh seeds, ideally less than a year old. Check the pack for an expiration date.
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Sort through seeds and discard any that are small, shriveled or discolored. Select large, plump seeds.
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To improve germination rates, you can stratify or chill seeds for 1-2 weeks before planting. Refrigerate them in moist peat or coffee filters.
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Soak seeds in room temperature water overnight before planting.
Take these steps and your seeds will be primed and ready to sprout quickly once you tuck them into starter trays.
How to Plant Lavender Seeds Indoors
Follow best practices when planting your lavender seeds:
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Fill seed starting trays with sterile, soilless seed starting mix. This provides good drainage and moisture control.
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Moisten the mix well before planting. It should feel like a wrung-out sponge.
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Plant 1-2 seeds in each cell, 1/8” deep. Less than 1/4” is ideal – any deeper slows germination.
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Water gently with a mister to avoid dislodging seeds. Keep mix evenly moist but not saturated.
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Maintain warm temperatures around 70°F.
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Once sprouted, grow seedlings on at 65-70°F during the day and 60°F at night.
Proper planting and care will mean you’ll soon see little lavender seedlings!
Caring for Lavender Seedlings
Tending to young lavender plants well gives them the best start:
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Keep seedlings under grow lights or in a sunny south-facing window. Turn plants periodically for even growth.
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Water when the top of the starter mix dries out. Avoid both soggy soil and wilting.
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Thin to 1 plant per cell once seedlings have 2 sets of true leaves. Snip extra plants at soil level.
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Transplant into larger containers when roots fill cells. Use well-draining potting soil.
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Harden off plants before transplanting outdoors. Gradually expose them to sun, wind and cooler temperatures.
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Transplant outside into sandy, fast-draining soil. Amend if needed to improve drainage.
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Space plants 18-24” apart. Lavender hates wet roots and needs good air circulation.
With attentive care while seeds and seedlings are young, you’ll set your lavender up for health and vigor when transplanted into the garden.
Common Problems When Growing Lavender from Seed
Growing lavender from seed does take some patience. Here are potential issues and how to remedy them:
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No germination – Ensure even moisture. Stratify seeds first. Warm up soil temp if cool.
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Sparse, spotty germination – Plant more seeds next time. Stratify before planting.
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Leggy, stretched seedlings – Give more light. Cool off temperatures. Avoid drafts.
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Damping off disease – Don’t overwater. Improve airflow. Apply fungicide.
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Root rot – Let soil dry more between waterings. Check roots and transplant promptly.
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Slow growth after transplanting – Give more sun. Improve sandy, fast-draining soil.
With the right troubleshooting, you can get your lavender seedlings back on track and ready for the garden.
Long-Term Care of Lavender Started from Seed
Lavender started from seed needs care and protection for several years before flowering:
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Protect young plants from winter heaving with mulch. Replant any that get heaved out.
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Shear plants halfway in spring and fall during the first 2 years. Avoid cutting into woody growth.
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Water 1-2” per week during summer dry spells for the first couple of seasons.
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Don’t harvest plants the first year. Limit harvest to 1/3 of stems the second year.
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Be patient! It can take up to 3 years for lavender to mature and flower freely.
With diligent care in those first few growing seasons, eventually your lavender started from seed will grow bushy, fragrant and loaded with blossoms.
Growing lavender from seed involves more time and care than planting nursery transplants. But with attention to optimal conditions, you can have pretty, aromatic plants for little investment. Expect seeds to germinate within 1-4 weeks. Follow best practices when planting seeds, tending seedlings, and in ongoing lavender care. Then you can enjoy the satisfying process of nurturing lavender from seed to flower.
Helpful Lavender Sprouting and Growing Tips
Lavender is a hardy perennial in its native areas. Once established, this beautiful perennial herb is drought and heat tolerant.
A healthy lavender plant will easily grow for five to 10 years.
However, growing lavender from seed requires a little patience. If you are used to quick sprouting seeds, you may wonder, “Why isn’t my lavender sprouting?”.
Lavender seeds know how to conserve energy. They wait for the right environment before they use all that potential for growing. These smart little seeds will wait for winter to be over before they send out new growth.
So to successfully germinate lavender seeds, we have to mimic nature.
There are two easy ways to copy nature and help lavender seeds grow: cold stratification and winter sowing.
Cold stratifying is a way to force a winter season. To mimic winter, sprinkle lavender seeds onto a wet paper towel. Make sure the seeds are spread apart. Fold the towel and place it in a plastic bag. Then put the bag in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 weeks. Now that the seeds have had their winter, there are a few different ways to ensure they sprout.
Option 1 is to place the plastic bag of seeds in a warm and sunny location. It’s important to be careful when taking the sprouts off the paper towels once the seeds start to grow. Keeping the top green leaves above ground.
Option 2 is to take the cold seeds and plant them directly into pots. Just barely cover the seeds with soil. This is important. Lavender seeds need light, and if they are buried too deep, they won’t come up. Only 1/8” is needed. You can even just press them lightly into the soil. And then, be patient. Lavender seeds can take 18 to 28 days to germinate. And they won’t all sprout at the same time.
The winter sowing method is another way to copy nature and get more lavender seeds to grow, along with cold stratification. This method lets you put seeds out in the coldest part of winter while still protecting the seeds.
You can also plant lavender in the ground in the fall and wait for it to grow in the spring. Just remember to mark where you put the seeds, so you don’t mistake them for weeds.
Once the seeds have sprouted, they need to stay warm and have lots of light. Grow lights can help. They need to be close, so hang them just a few inches above the seedlings. If you want to keep lavender seedlings warm, put them near a heater or use a heating mat. The soil should be between 70 and 80 degrees.
Lavender does well in dry places, but the seeds and seedlings need to stay moist until their roots have grown more fully. To keep in moisture, place clear plastic film or a dome over the pots.
When the seedlings are about 3 inches tall and there is no longer any risk of frost, they can be moved outside. First, acclimate them to outside temperatures. This hardening-off period will help them adjust to life outside.
Once outside, lavender thrives in a hot, arid climate. Make sure you have well-drained, moderately fertile soil and a sunny location. Full sun of 10 hours a day is optimal.
Lavender doesn’t need a lot of nutrients and doesn’t like clay or heavy soil. Use sandy, light soil that drains well. In humid locations, make sure to give your lavender plants enough room for good air circulation.
Lavender can grow well in a xeriscape design. Consider planting in a rock garden with other Mediterranean herbs with similar growing conditions. Sage, rosemary, oregano, and thyme are all good companion plants for lavender.
Since lavender repels pests from brassicas, it’s also a good companion plant for cabbage and broccoli.
Containers are also a good choice as long as they drain well. Growing lavender in pots allows you to bring plants inside if you live in colder climates.
How to Get More Lavender Blooms
Patience pays off when encouraging more lavender flowers. It might not bloom all the way until the second or third year for a lavender plant. To maximize the flower potential, make sure your plants are getting a full day of sun. Lavender needs all that sunshine to grow flowers.
You might want to add more fertilizer, but too much nitrogen makes plants grow faster instead of flowers. Limestone can be added to provide an alkaline environment.
During the summer, you can cut flowers off to encourage more flower growth. Cut individual stems just above where it is woody. Cutting off the woody stems above some green shoots will keep the plant growing because they don’t make new stems.
Once you’ve established your lavender plants, you’ll be rewarded with lots of flowers to harvest. Gather lavender in June, July, August, and September on sunny days before the flowers open. Cut the stalks and tie them into small bundles. Hang them to dry upside down in a dark warm place. Or place them in a vase without water. Wrap the bundles in paper bags and set them on top of the bundles. The seeds will fall into the bags. Also, if you let the flowers keep growing, lavender can self-sow.
Sprouting Lavender Seeds: 4 Things Lavender NEEDS for Successful Germination
FAQ
How long does it take lavender to grow from seed?
How often should I water lavender seeds?
What is the easiest lavender to grow from seed?
How long does it take for lavender seeds to germinate?
If you are determined to grow a particular cultivar, you’re better off using cuttings or divisions to get new plants. Some good varieties for starting by seed are Lavender Lady and Munstead. It can take one to three months for lavender seeds to germinate, so start early and be patient. Also, be prepared to germinate them indoors.
How long does it take to grow a lavender plant?
Your lavender seedlings will be ready to transplant once they have several leaves per plant. Your first year of growth will not be impressive, but by year two, expect to have large, blooming lavender. Starting lavender plants from seed is not difficult, but does require time, some patience, and a little extra space for your seed trays.
How do you grow lavender seeds?
Put potting soil in the seedling tray; spread a one-inch layer is using a flat tray or box lid. Spray the top of the soil lightly with water. Place lavender seeds (two or three seeds per pot) on soil surface and pat down very gently. Cover lightly with plastic wrap or a clear ziplock bag. Place in a sunny warm spot with plenty of light.
What is a good germination rate for lavender seeds?
You should also be aware that poor germination rates among lavender are very normal; if you only have 20 percent of your seeds germinate successfully, you have made it! Don’t expect a germination rate higher than 50 percent to 60 percent, as you’ll be highly disappointed.