When it comes to growing lavender indoors, the selection of varieties becomes more limited than for outdoor cultivation. The primary challenges for indoor lavender are providing sufficient light, maintaining proper humidity levels, and ensuring excellent air circulation. Because of these factors, the most popular and successful lavender varieties for indoor growing are typically those that are naturally more compact and somewhat more tolerant of varying indoor conditions, though all lavenders still demand significant sunlight.
Here are the most popular lavender varieties for indoor growing:
1. Dwarf English Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia cultivars): English lavenders are generally favored for indoor cultivation due to their relatively compact size, strong fragrance, and more manageable growth habit compared to larger varieties. While they still need abundant light, their smaller stature makes them more adaptable to pot culture on sunny windowsills or under grow lights.
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'Thumbelina Leigh': This is often considered one of the best choices for indoor growing due to its truly dwarf size. It typically reaches only about 10-12 inches in height and width, making it perfectly suited for smaller pots, window boxes, or tabletop displays. It still produces charming, plump, and highly fragrant flowers. Its small stature means it can fit closer to a light source, which is a major advantage indoors.
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'Munstead': While a very popular outdoor variety, 'Munstead' is also a common choice for larger indoor pots if you can provide enough space and light. It forms a neat, compact mound, typically growing to about 18-24 inches. Its classic sweet fragrance is a significant draw for indoor enjoyment. If you have a very bright, south-facing window or can supplement with a strong grow light, 'Munstead' can do well.
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'Hidcote': Similar to 'Munstead' in popularity, 'Hidcote' is another excellent English lavender that can be grown indoors. It's known for its deep, rich purple flowers and a very dense, compact growth habit, usually staying around 18 inches. Its intense color and strong, traditional lavender scent are highly desirable indoors.
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'Lavenite Petite': As its name suggests, this is another very compact English lavender variety. It offers an intense fragrance and a tidy growth habit, making it suitable for indoor container gardening where space might be limited.
2. French Lavender (Lavandula dentata): While generally larger than dwarf English lavenders, some French lavender cultivars can be successfully grown indoors, especially if you have ample space and light. They are sometimes preferred for indoor growing because they can be slightly more tolerant of higher humidity levels than English lavenders, and they tend to have a very long blooming season, offering extended enjoyment indoors.
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'Goodwin Creek Grey': This is arguably the most popular French lavender for indoor cultivation. It's chosen for its robust nature, beautiful fragrant, silvery-grey, toothed foliage, and attractive deep purple blooms. While it can grow larger outdoors, it can be kept more compact in a pot indoors with proper pruning. Its ability to tolerate slightly varied conditions and its continuous blooming make it a good indoor candidate, provided it receives sufficient light.
Key Considerations for All Indoor Lavender Varieties:
Regardless of the variety chosen, successful indoor lavender cultivation hinges on specific care requirements:
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Light: This is the most critical factor. Lavender needs a minimum of 6 hours of direct, intense sunlight daily. A south-facing window is ideal, but for best results, especially for flowering, supplement with a full-spectrum grow light for 12-16 hours a day.
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Drainage: Excellent drainage is non-negotiable. Always use a pot with drainage holes and a very well-draining potting mix (e.g., a cactus and succulent mix or a standard potting mix amended with extra perlite or coarse sand).
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Watering: Lavender prefers to dry out between waterings. Overwatering is the quickest way to kill an indoor lavender plant due to root rot. Allow the top few inches of soil to become dry to the touch before watering thoroughly.
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Air Circulation: Good airflow helps prevent fungal diseases, which can be an issue indoors. Ensure your plant isn't in a stagnant corner, and consider a small fan on a low setting if necessary.
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Pruning: Regular pruning helps maintain a compact shape and encourages bushier growth and more blooms, which is essential for managing size indoors.
While indoor lavender may not bloom as profusely as its outdoor counterparts, the fragrant foliage alone makes these popular varieties worthwhile additions to your home.