Determining if your lavender plant is healthy is generally straightforward, as healthy lavender displays clear visual cues. It's a plant that thrives on neglect of the "wet and rich soil" kind, but still needs specific conditions to truly flourish.
Here are the key signs of healthy lavender growth:
1. Robust and Compact Growth Habit:
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Bushy and Dense: A healthy lavender plant will typically have a dense, rounded, or mounded shape. It should not look sparse or have large, empty gaps in its foliage (unless it's an unpruned older plant, which is a sign of past neglect, not current health).
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New Growth from the Base: In spring, look for vigorous new green shoots emerging from the woody base of the plant. This indicates good root health and active growth.
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No Excessive Legginess: While older lavender stems will become woody, the top growth should be full and leafy, not long, spindly, and bare with just a few leaves at the tips. Leggy growth often points to insufficient light or lack of pruning.
2. Vibrant Foliage Color:
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Silvery-Green to Grey-Green Leaves: Most lavender varieties have distinct silvery-green or grey-green foliage. The color should be consistent and vibrant, not dull, yellow, or brown.
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No Yellowing: Yellowing leaves, especially lower down on the plant, are a common sign of overwatering and potential root rot. A healthy plant will have uniformly colored leaves.
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No Browning or Crisping: Brown, dry, crispy leaves or stems can indicate severe underwatering or, more commonly, root rot from overwatering.
3. Abundant and Fragrant Flowers:
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Profuse Blooming: A healthy lavender plant, once mature, will produce a plentiful display of flower spikes during its blooming season.
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Strong, Characteristic Fragrance: The flowers (and often the foliage) should emit a strong, pleasant lavender scent. A lack of fragrance can sometimes indicate insufficient sun or poor plant health.
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Vibrant Flower Color: The blooms should be true to the variety's typical color (various shades of purple, blue, pink, or white) and not appear faded or dull.
4. Firm, Intact Stems:
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Pliable Green Stems: The newer, green stems should be flexible but firm, not limp or mushy.
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Woody, but Alive Base: The older, woody stems at the base should be firm and not soft, mushy, or crumbly. If you gently scratch a woody stem, you should see green tissue underneath, indicating it's alive. Brittle, snapping woody stems are usually dead.
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No Excessive Dieback: While some winter dieback is normal in colder climates, excessive browning and dead stems, particularly in spring or summer, indicate stress or disease.
5. Signs of Optimal Growing Conditions:
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Dry Soil Between Waterings: The soil around a healthy lavender plant will feel dry to the touch, especially a few inches down, between waterings. Soggy or constantly damp soil is a red flag.
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Absence of Pests or Diseases: A healthy plant is less susceptible to pests and diseases. Watch for signs of aphids, whiteflies, fungal spots, or powdery mildew. A healthy lavender should be relatively pest and disease-free, especially when its core needs (sun, drainage, air circulation) are met.
6. Attracts Pollinators:
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A very good sign of a healthy, thriving lavender plant is the consistent presence of bees, butterflies, and other pollinators during its bloom period. They are attracted to healthy, fragrant flowers rich in nectar.
If your lavender is exhibiting these characteristics, it's a strong indicator that you are providing the right conditions and care for it to thrive.
Lavender Farm in Door County Wisconsin. You can buy lavender products online at islandlavender.com