Lavender grows exceptionally well here in Utah, so we wanted to learn more about it. Nico and Nat Dicou, owners of Lincoln Street Farm, showed us how easy it is to grow lavender plants. Along the way, we learned some fun facts about growing lavender plants, what lavender can do for you, and why it’s so easy to fall in love with lavender.
There are a number of reasons Nico and Nat enjoy propagating lavender. For one, the propagation process is very easy. You’re more likely to successfully grow lavender from propagation than from seed. It can take lavender seeds anywhere from one to three months to sprout, and Nico said, “And that’s even in the most ideal conditions.” ”.
It’s fun and easy to grow lavender this way if you don’t have the “germination patience.”
Propagating lavender is also a nice way to continue the life of your favorite lavender plant. You can also get the look and smell you love from a friend or neighbor’s plant by propagating it from a single plant. Just ask for a cutting!.
You might need to cut off the end of the softwood cutting before dipping it in the rooting hormone so that it doesn’t bend or fall over in the growing medium.
Sprinkle some of the rooting hormone in a small dish or container. You don’t want to dip the clipping directly into the supply. Dip the end of the cutting into the rooting hormone. Gently stick it into the starting mix. Voilà!.
Lavender softwood cuttings can take root in two to four weeks. Lavender cuttings can take root without a rooting hormone, but using one can speed up the growing process.
If you’re really interested and can’t wait a few weeks, you can give it a very light tug to see if it’s taken root. But as long as the little seed grows and looks good, there’s no reason to worry that it hasn’t taken root.
Nico and Nat use a spray bottle to keep their lavender babies moist, a humidity dome to keep them warm, and a grow light to help them grow. You want your growing medium to stay moist, but not necessarily soaking. They also use a heating pad under their trays to keep the starts warm.
Like all starts, lavender babies need a lot of light. Nico and Nat keep their new start under a grow light for about 7 hours a day. Having a grow light isn’t a must have, but it does help a lot.
Nico and Nat say that the best time to plant lavender in Northern Utah is during the warmer months, from late spring to the end of summer.
Nico says that because winters in Utah can be pretty harsh, it’s best to wait to move a bigger lavender plant with woody growth. Nat also said that plants should be moved to the ground earlier in the warm season so that they have time to get established before winter.
Different kinds of lavender come from sunny, dry places all over the world. Because of this, they do very well in Utah’s dry climate. It’s also drought tolerant.
Lavender first blooms here in Utah between June and July. Stems and flowers grow quickly, so if you pick the first flower growth, you’ll get another harvest before the season ends.
The flowers are also loved by bees and other garden pollinators. Growing lavender is a great way to get pollinators to visit your other plants.
You may have heard of English Lavender or French Lavender, but did you know that there are 47 species of flowering lavender?!
Most people who want to grow lavender look for a mother plant of a certain species that has traits they like, such as overall plant health, scent, plant shape, and height. Or they just want to duplicate that special plant from their grandmothers garden or childhood home.
Always ask before taking a cutting from a neighbor’s plant. You might also learn more about the plant, like how well it grows and flowers or if it’s had any problems or diseases in the past. It’s also a good way to start a conversation about lavender propagation.
Nico said this about asking friends and neighbors for a lavender clipping: “You want your neighbor to share in the goodness of your garden, and they can share in the goodness of your garden.” That’s why the gardening network we have here in Salt Lake City is such a great way to bring people together. ”.
Lavender uses are limitless; let your imagination fly. Throw some in your bathtub, in your french press with your coffee, or create a cut flower bouquet.
Sachets can be used to freshen up your sock drawer or car, and also make a great gift.
It really is that simple to grow more lavender plants! In fact, it’s so simple that you’ll need a lot of room to keep your lavender starts. If you do that, though, they make great gifts! Or you can keep them all for yourself and use the lavender scent to scare anyone who comes to your door.
Nico and Nat love spreading their lavender babies among their growing community of gardeners and followers. A little lavender plant will brighten anyones day!.
Click here if you live in Utah and want Modern Gardener to write about your garden or garden project.
Lavender is a fragrant herb that most gardeners love to grow for its beautiful purple flowers and aromatic foliage. While lavender plants can be purchased from nurseries and garden centers an economical way to propagate new lavender plants is by taking cuttings from existing lavender plants. Growing lavender from cuttings allows you to replicate your favorite lavender varieties again and again.
In this article, I’ll explain the easy process for rooting lavender cuttings and growing a lush lavender plant for your garden. Let’s get started!
What You’ll Need
Rooting lavender cuttings and growing new lavender plants is an easy process that requires just a few supplies
- Lavender stem cuttings – These stem cuttings can be taken from new or old growth on an existing lavender plant. The cuttings should be 4-6 inches long.
- Potting soil – A general purpose potting mix will work well.
- Rooting hormone (optional) – A powder or gel containing hormones that stimulate root growth.
- Clean pot or tray – Should have drainage holes and be 2-3 inches deep.
- Clear plastic dome or bag – To cover the cuttings and create a humid environment.
Choosing and Preparing Cuttings
You can take lavender cuttings from tender new growth or mature woody growth. Take 4-6 inch long cuttings from lavender stems using clean, sharp garden shears or scissors. Remove the leaves from the bottom third of each cutting. Make a cut just below the nodes where leaves were removed.
Dip the base of each prepared cutting in rooting hormone powder if desired. Rooting hormone is optional, but helps stimulate faster root growth.
Planting the Cuttings
Fill your chosen pot or tray with potting soil. Firmly pack the soil down and water lightly until moist.
Use a pencil to make holes 2-3 inches deep in the potting mix. Space the holes 1-2 inches apart.
Insert each prepared lavender cutting into a hole. The tip of each cutting should remain just above the soil line. Firm the soil gently around each stem.
Water lightly again after planting the cuttings to settle the soil.
Caring for the Cuttings
After planting, place your potted cuttings in a warm spot with bright, indirect light. Cover the pot with a clear plastic bag or dome to create a humid environment.
Keep the soil moist, but not soaked. Check every 2-3 days and water lightly if needed. Remove the plastic periodically to let excess moisture escape.
In about 2-4 weeks, roots should begin forming. Look for new growth as an indication that rooting was successful.
Potting Rooted Cuttings
Once the cuttings have developed roots and new growth, it’s time to pot them up! Gently remove each rooted lavender stem from the potting mix. Take care not to damage the new delicate roots.
Plant the lavender cuttings individually in pots filled with potting soil. Pack soil gently around the roots and water well.
Place your new potted lavender plants in a sunny location. Water when the top inch of soil becomes dry. Feed monthly with a balanced fertilizer.
Caring for Lavender Plants
Here are some tips for growing your new lavender plants successfully:
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Lavenders need full sun – At least 6 hours of direct sun per day.
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Well-drained soil is essential – Add sand or gravel to improve drainage.
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Allow soil to dry between waterings – Too much moisture can lead to root rot.
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Prune annually – In spring, trim back by 1/3 to shape and stimulate new growth.
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Protect from winter wetness – Improve winter drainage and ventilation.
With the proper care, the lavender plants grown from your cuttings will thrive for years to come. Enjoy their beauty and fragrance in your garden!
Troubleshooting Lavender Cuttings
Here are some common issues and solutions if your lavender cuttings fail to root:
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Cuttings stay limp or rot – Too much moisture. Allow more time between waterings.
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Leaves turn yellow – Too much or too little water. Check soil consistency.
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No new roots or growth – Not enough sun. Move to brighter location.
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Blackened stem tips – Waterlogged soil. Improve drainage.
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White fungal growth – Disease due to overwatering. Use new cutting and soil.
Enjoy an Abundance of Lavender
Learning how to root lavender from cuttings is an easy way get more of these delightful plants for free. Not only is propagating lavender from stem cuttings inexpensive, it allows you to replicate your favorite lavender varieties in unlimited quantities.
I hope these tips help you successfully grow mounds of gorgeous, fragrant lavender from cuttings. With proper care, your new lavender plants will thrive indoors and out, providing sensory joy for years to come. Enjoy!
Step 1: Select and trim a cutting from the mother plant
Make sure your scissors or snips are clean before you choose which lavender clipping you want to take.
There are hardwood and softwood cuttings, which we’ll explain below.
Nat and Nico demonstrate the softwood cutting technique. Softwood cuttings tend to root faster than hardwood cuttings.
Softwood cutting: Select a soft, pliable branch of new growth and cut about 1.5–2 inches off.
Trimming: Trim all the leaves off the cutting except the very top two. As Nico explained, “youre going for that ‘Y’ look. ”.
When Nat showed how to do it, she carefully spread out the two top leaves and cut off the tiny inner buds. This will help stimulate new growth.
Hardwood cutting: This way of propagation is more common in the fall and winter, when the plant isn’t blooming or growing new leaves.
Find a healthy branch of the lavender plant and cut about 6 to 8 inches off of it to make a hardwood cutting. Strip off all the side growth leaving about 2 inches of growth at the top. With all the side growth stripped off you can see the nodes where the leaves grow. Make a cut right below a node. Dip the end in the rooting hormone and stick the cutting in the growing medium.
You might need to cut off the end of the softwood cutting before dipping it in the rooting hormone so that it doesn’t bend or fall over in the growing medium.
Sprinkle some of the rooting hormone in a small dish or container. You don’t want to dip the clipping directly into the supply. Dip the end of the cutting into the rooting hormone. Gently stick it into the starting mix. Voilà!.
Lavender softwood cuttings can take root in two to four weeks. Lavender cuttings can take root without a rooting hormone, but using one can speed up the growing process.
If you’re really interested and can’t wait a few weeks, you can give it a very light tug to see if it’s taken root. But as long as the little seed grows and looks good, there’s no reason to worry that it hasn’t taken root.
Nico and Nat use a spray bottle to keep their lavender babies moist, a humidity dome to keep them warm, and a grow light to help them grow. You want your growing medium to stay moist, but not necessarily soaking. They also use a heating pad under their trays to keep the starts warm.
Like all starts, lavender babies need a lot of light. Nico and Nat keep their new start under a grow light for about 7 hours a day. Having a grow light isn’t a must have, but it does help a lot.
Nico and Nat say that the best time to plant lavender in Northern Utah is during the warmer months, from late spring to the end of summer.
Nico says that because winters in Utah can be pretty harsh, it’s best to wait to move a bigger lavender plant with woody growth. Nat also said that plants should be moved to the ground earlier in the warm season so that they have time to get established before winter.
Different kinds of lavender come from sunny, dry places all over the world. Because of this, they do very well in Utah’s dry climate. It’s also drought tolerant.
Lavender first blooms here in Utah between June and July. Stems and flowers grow quickly, so if you pick the first flower growth, you’ll get another harvest before the season ends.
The flowers are also loved by bees and other garden pollinators. Growing lavender is a great way to get pollinators to visit your other plants.
You may have heard of English Lavender or French Lavender, but did you know that there are 47 species of flowering lavender?!
Most people who want to grow lavender look for a mother plant of a certain species that has traits they like, such as overall plant health, scent, plant shape, and height. Or they just want to duplicate that special plant from their grandmothers garden or childhood home.
Always ask before taking a cutting from a neighbor’s plant. You might also learn more about the plant, like how well it grows and flowers or if it’s had any problems or diseases in the past. It’s also a good way to start a conversation about lavender propagation.
Nico said this about asking friends and neighbors for a lavender clipping: “You want your neighbor to share in the goodness of your garden, and they can share in the goodness of your garden.” That’s why the gardening network we have here in Salt Lake City is such a great way to bring people together. ”.
Lavender uses are limitless; let your imagination fly. Throw some in your bathtub, in your french press with your coffee, or create a cut flower bouquet.
Here are some ways Lincoln Street Farms have used lavender, along with some additional suggestions.
Sachets can be used to freshen up your sock drawer or car, and also make a great gift.
Sew small cotton bags and fill with rice and lavender buds.
Iced or Hot Tea
Lavender leaves, buds, and flowers can be infused in hot water and used for hot or iced tea.
I have a friend who occasionally puts some dried flower buds with coffee grounds in her french press. Add some milk and honey and you’ve got yourself a very tasty coffee.
How To Propagate Lavender Cuttings In Just 2 Minutes
How do you grow lavender from cuttings?
Lavender is one of the easiest plants to grow from cuttings. When selecting your cutting, look for a stem that has both old and new growth, cutting it near the bottom of the plant. You’ll remove the lower sets of leaves and situate the cutting in soil so that it’s sitting upright.
How do you propagate lavender?
There are several ways to propagate lavender, though some methods take longer than others. Lavender is one of the easiest plants to propagate from cuttings, which root easily in nutrient-rich soil. The best time to take lavender cuttings for propagation is between June and September, when the plant is most active and growing healthily.
How long does a lavender cutting take to grow?
The cutting should have developed roots within a couple of weeks. Be patient though – it can also take longer than a month. After about three weeks of growth, pull gently on the cutting. If there is some resistance, the plant has developed roots. Lavender can also be propagated in water, requiring far less equipment.
Can you plant a lavender plant with wood cuttings?
Young lavender plants typically have plentiful soft new growth and not much woody growth, therefore softwood cuttings are the best option for a potted or juvenile lavender plant. You could severely damage their growth by taking too many hardwood cuttings.
