Growing lavender indoors, especially in cold climates where it can't survive outdoors year-round, is a common practice to keep these fragrant plants alive. While no lavender truly * prefers* to be indoors, some varieties are more adaptable to container life and the less-than-ideal indoor conditions. The key is to choose compact varieties and provide them with the specific environmental elements they need.
The best lavender varieties for growing indoors in cold climates are typically dwarf English Lavenders (Lavandula angustifolia). While other types like French (Lavandula dentata) and Spanish (Lavandula stoechas) can sometimes be grown indoors, English lavenders generally offer the best combination of cold-hardiness (meaning they are better adapted to fluctuating temperatures if they transition outdoors seasonally) and compact growth suitable for pots.
Here are the top varieties well-suited for indoor cultivation:
1. 'Munstead' English Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia 'Munstead'):
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Why it's good for indoors: 'Munstead' is a compact variety, typically growing 12-18 inches tall, which is a manageable size for a pot. It's also exceptionally cold-hardy, allowing for easier transition outdoors when weather permits, and it can better tolerate cooler indoor winter temperatures (which lavender actually prefers). Its strong fragrance is a bonus for indoor enjoyment.
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Key Indoor Benefit: Its natural resilience and compact form make it less prone to becoming leggy and sickly indoors if conditions aren't perfect.
2. 'Hidcote' English Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia 'Hidcote'):
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Why it's good for indoors: Similar to 'Munstead', 'Hidcote' is a compact (12-24 inches tall) and very cold-hardy English lavender. Its dense, mounding habit is well-suited for container growing.
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Key Indoor Benefit: Its ability to maintain a good, bushy shape with pruning makes it an attractive indoor plant, and its hardiness helps it survive winter indoors even if light levels are less than optimal for active growth.
3. 'SuperBlue' English Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia 'SuperBlue'):
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Why it's good for indoors: This is a newer dwarf English lavender specifically bred to be compact (10-12 inches tall and wide) with a very uniform habit. Its small size makes it an excellent candidate for windowsills or small indoor spaces.
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Key Indoor Benefit: Its compact nature means it's less likely to outgrow its pot quickly, reducing the need for frequent repotting.
4. 'Thumbelina Leigh' English Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia 'Thumbelina Leigh'):
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Why it's good for indoors: As its name suggests, this is a very dwarf English lavender, often topping out at around 1 foot tall. Its petite size makes it ideal for containers.
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Key Indoor Benefit: Perfect for small spaces and provides good fragrance despite its size.
Important Considerations for Growing Lavender Indoors in Cold Climates:
Even with the right variety, indoor lavender care requires diligent attention to mimic its preferred outdoor conditions:
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Light is Critical: This is the biggest challenge indoors, especially in winter. Lavender needs at least 6-8 hours of direct, intense sunlight daily. A south-facing window is ideal. In cold climates with short, dark winter days, supplemental grow lights (LED or fluorescent) are almost always necessary for the plant to thrive and not become leggy. Place lights 6-12 inches above the plant.
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Excellent Drainage: This cannot be overemphasized. Use a terracotta pot, which helps with evaporation, and a very gritty, fast-draining potting mix. A good mix would be 2 parts general potting soil, 1 part perlite or coarse sand, and a handful of horticultural grit or small pebbles. Ensure the pot has drainage holes, and never let the pot sit in standing water.
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Low Humidity: Lavender hates humidity. Most homes are relatively dry indoors, which is good for lavender. Avoid placing it near humidifiers or in steamy bathrooms. Good air circulation is also important; don't place it in a stagnant corner.
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Cool Winter Temperatures: Lavender needs a dormant period. During winter, aim for cooler temperatures, ideally 50-65°F (10-18°C) during the day and even cooler at night (around 40-50°F / 5-10°C). Avoid placing it near heat vents, fireplaces, or drafty windows that cause extreme temperature swings. A cooler, unheated room or a mudroom with a window can be ideal.
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Water Sparingly: Overwatering is the #1 killer of indoor lavender. Allow the soil to dry out completely between waterings. Stick your finger 1-2 inches into the soil; if it feels dry, then water. Reduce watering significantly in winter when the plant is dormant.
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No Fertilizer in Winter: Lavender prefers lean soil. Do not fertilize during its indoor dormant period. Resume a very diluted, all-purpose fertilizer in spring when new growth begins.
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Pruning: Prune indoor lavender to maintain its compact shape and encourage bushiness. Prune in early spring before moving it outdoors or as needed to shape.
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Transitioning Outdoors: Harden off your lavender plant gradually in spring before moving it outdoors permanently. Start by placing it in a shaded outdoor spot for a few hours daily, slowly increasing sun exposure over 1-2 weeks, once all danger of frost has passed.
By choosing one of the more compact, cold-hardy English lavender varieties and meticulously providing the necessary light, drainage, and temperature conditions, gardeners in cold climates can successfully enjoy lavender indoors, often seeing it through the winter until it can return to the outdoor garden.