How to Grow Lavender Indoors

An indigenous plant to the European peninsula, lavender has been cultivated for its favorable aromatic qualities for eons. Used medicinally Lavender has found to be useful in treating anxiety, stress and insomnia.  For this reason growing lavender indoors can be very beneficial, this post will cover a few tips for growing lavender indoor.

Finding the location:

Growing outdoor plants indoors can be challenging if not impossible depending on the plant. Lavender needs to grow in a cool dry climate with plenty of sun light. Like all plants grown outside, bringing plants indoors requires you to provide a close approximation of lavenders natural environment. Without enough light, the lavender plant will produce weak, spindly growth, will cease to produce flowers, and it will be more susceptible to disease.

• Indoors, good ventilation and air circulation are important, but do not place the plant where it will be exposed to the direct flow of forced-air heat.
• Ideal indoor temperatures from spring through mid-fall are 50 to 55 degrees F at night and 70 degrees F during the day.
• During the late fall through winter, temperatures should be cooler 45 to 50 degrees F at night and 60 to 65 degrees F during the day.

The lavender plant will benefit from being moved into a semi-shaded area outdoors after all danger of frost is past. In the spring, it may be planted outside in a sunny area. When mature, the plant can take temperatures down to 10 degrees F.

Watering Schedule:

Drench thoroughly when watering and allow the soil to become slightly dry between watering. Check soil moisture by feeling soil with your finger. Over- watering and allowing the soil to stay constantly moist may cause rot. However, do not allow the soil to go completely dry, or the lavender will react with yellowing lower leaves. If the lavender is moved outside in the spring, be mindful that it will dry out more quickly and will need watering more often.

Pruning Regimen:

Cutting branches for flower harvest causes new growth to sprout and promotes bushiness. Tip prune occasionally if more bushiness is desired. Be aware that flowers are produced at the branch tips and constant tip pruning will reduce flowering.

Fertilizing Schedule:

Use organic water-soluble fertilizer, 10ml of fertilizer for every 1.0L of water. Adding 10mg of sulfur to 0.5L of water will help improve nitrogen absorption. All purpose chemical fertilizer is not recommended if you intend to ingest the lavender. Whatever additives you add to the potting soil may end up in your harvested, so only add fertilizer you are comfortable using without protective gear. If you have hazmat gear handling your fertilizer chances are it’s not safe for you and the lavender plant.

Planting & Potting:

Re-pot after one year or in early spring into an 8″-12” pot, using good-quality potting soil, Add 1/10 perlite to the soil to increase drainage.

Harvesting:

A mature lavender plant will be an aroma rich, vibrant purple plant, harvest when the flowers aren’t fully opened and the stocks relatively thick. Cut as close to the base of the plant keeping as much stem as possible.  Bundle your harvested Lavender and hang it upside-down in a cool, dry place for up to a week. Taking care to make sure the buds are fully dry, gently pluck the buds from the stalk and place them in a mason jar for proper storage.

Let us know how your Indoor Lavender is doing! Leave us a comment below.