When planting lavender, whether from a nursery pot or a cutting you've rooted, the general rule is to plant it at the same depth it was in its original container or propagation medium.
Here's a breakdown of what that means practically:
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For Nursery Plants (Potted Plants):
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Dig a hole that is as deep as the root ball and typically twice as wide.
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Gently remove the lavender plant from its nursery pot. If the roots are circling tightly around the bottom, you can gently loosen them (but avoid overly disturbing them as you might with some other plants, as lavender roots prefer not to be broken up too much).
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Place the plant in the hole so that the top of the root ball is level with the surrounding soil surface. Do not bury any part of the stem that was previously above ground, as this can lead to rot, which lavender is very susceptible to due to its preference for dry conditions.
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Backfill the hole with soil, gently firming it around the root ball to remove air pockets.
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Water thoroughly to help settle the soil.
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For Rooted Cuttings:
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Once your lavender cutting has developed a good root system (often 1-2 inches or more of roots), you can transplant it.
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Plant the rooted cutting so that the base of the stem (where the roots begin) is at the soil line, similar to how it was growing in its propagation medium.
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Ensure the roots are spread out in the hole and gently backfill.
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For Seeds (if you're brave and patient!):
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Lavender seeds are typically sown very shallowly, often just 1/8 inch deep, or barely covered with a thin layer of soil or perlite. They need light to germinate, so deep planting will prevent germination.
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Why is planting depth so important for lavender?
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Root Rot Prevention: Lavender hates "wet feet." Planting too deep can cause the crown of the plant (where the stems meet the roots) to be buried in moist soil. This significantly increases the risk of fungal diseases and root rot, which are common killers of lavender.
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Air Circulation: Keeping the crown of the plant exposed to air circulation helps it stay dry and healthy.
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Established Growth Habit: The plant is naturally designed to have its stems above ground. Burying them can interfere with its natural growth and respiration.
Key takeaway: Always aim to keep the top of the root ball (or where the stem meets the roots) at or slightly above the surrounding soil level, especially ensuring no green stem is buried. The focus should be on providing excellent drainage in the entire planting area, rather than digging an excessively deep hole.
Lavender Farm in Door County Wisconsin. You can buy lavender products online at islandlavender.com