While lavender is traditionally an outdoor plant that thrives in Mediterranean climates, it is possible to grow it successfully indoors, but it requires diligent effort to replicate its preferred conditions. It's generally more challenging to grow lavender indoors year-round than outdoors.
Here's what it takes to grow lavender indoors successfully in any climate:
1. Light is Paramount:
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Absolute Must: This is the single biggest challenge and the most crucial factor. Lavender needs a lot of light – ideally 6-8 hours of direct, intense sunlight daily.
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South-Facing Window: Place your potted lavender in the brightest south-facing window you have. Rotate the pot regularly (e.g., weekly) to ensure all sides of the plant receive even light exposure.
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Supplemental Grow Lights: In most homes, especially during shorter winter days or in cloudier climates, natural light from a window is simply not enough. High-quality LED grow lights are highly recommended. Position them 6-12 inches above the plant and run them for 12-16 hours a day. Without sufficient light, your lavender will become leggy, produce few (if any) flowers, and be more susceptible to disease.
2. Perfect Drainage and Lean Soil:
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Potting Mix: Use a specialized, very well-draining potting mix. Cactus or succulent mixes are excellent choices, or you can amend a standard potting mix with perlite, coarse sand, or small gravel (up to 50% by volume) to significantly improve drainage. Lavender's roots will rot quickly in soggy soil.
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Pot Material: Unglazed terracotta pots are highly recommended. Their porous nature allows excess moisture to evaporate through the sides, which helps prevent the soil from staying too wet. Avoid plastic or glazed pots unless you are very careful with watering.
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Drainage Holes: The pot must have adequate drainage holes at the bottom. Never let the pot sit in standing water in a saucer.
3. Temperature and Humidity Control:
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Moderate Temperatures: Lavender prefers moderate temperatures, generally between 60-85°F (15-29°C) during the growing season.
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Cooler Winter Period: To truly thrive and bloom in subsequent seasons, lavender benefits from a distinct cool, dormant period in late fall/winter. Ideally, move the plant to a cooler room (40-55°F or 5-13°C at night, 60-65°F or 15-18°C during the day) if possible. Avoid placing it near hot air vents or drafty windows, which can stress the plant.
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Low Humidity: Lavender dislikes high humidity, as it promotes fungal diseases. Most homes have relatively dry air, which is actually a benefit for indoor lavender. Avoid placing it near humidifiers or in overly damp rooms like bathrooms.
4. Careful Watering:
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Allow Soil to Dry: This is crucial. Water thoroughly until excess water drains from the bottom of the pot, then allow the top 1-2 inches (or even more in winter) of the soil to dry out completely before watering again.
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Under-watering is Better than Over-watering: Lavender is drought-tolerant once established. Overwatering is the most common cause of indoor lavender death. Yellowing leaves are often a sign of overwatering, not under-watering.
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Reduce Watering in Winter: During the cooler, dormant period, significantly reduce watering frequency.
5. Air Circulation:
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Good Airflow: Ensure there's good air circulation around the plant to help prevent fungal issues. Don't crowd your indoor lavender with other plants.
6. Pruning and Fertilization:
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Pruning: Regular pruning is essential to maintain a compact, bushy shape and encourage new growth and blooms. Prune in early spring before new growth starts, and lightly deadhead spent flowers after blooming. Avoid cutting into old, woody stems that have no green leaves.
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Fertilization: Lavender prefers lean soil and generally doesn't require much fertilizer. If you do fertilize, use a balanced, low-nitrogen, water-soluble fertilizer diluted to half strength once a month during the growing season (spring to early fall). Too much nitrogen can lead to leggy growth and fewer blooms.
7. Choosing the Right Variety:
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Compact Varieties: Opt for smaller, more compact varieties that are better suited to container life.
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English Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia): Cultivars like 'Munstead' or 'Hidcote' are often recommended for their compact size and adaptability.
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French Lavender (Lavandula dentata): Many French lavenders are more tolerant of indoor conditions and can handle a bit more humidity than English types, though they still need excellent drainage. 'Goodwin Creek Grey' is a popular choice.
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Dwarf Lavandins: Some dwarf Lavandin varieties might also be suitable.
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In Conclusion:
While it takes effort and attention to detail, especially regarding light and drainage, lavender can be grown successfully indoors in any climate. The key is to consciously create the dry, sunny, and well-drained conditions that mimic its natural habitat. Many people choose to grow lavender indoors during colder months and then move the pots outside for the spring and summer to allow the plants to truly thrive in their preferred environment.
Lavender Farm in Door County Wisconsin. You can buy lavender products online at islandlavender.com
