Lavender is one of my favorite plants in the garden.  Sometimes I think why don't i just have a  whole garden full of just lavender?  If you ever visit a lavender farm, you may think the same thing as you imagine all the pretty lavender you could be growing at home too. If you have just one established lavender plant you can easily create more from your lavender stems!  And best of all, it is free to do and you will benefit by more lavender.  That makes me smile as you can use lavender for so many things, why not have a bunch of plants, right?  Yes!! 

How to Propagate Lavender: A Step-by-Step Guide

Lavender is a beloved herb known for its fragrant flowers, silvery-green foliage, and its versatility in cooking, aromatherapy, and landscaping. If you want to grow more lavender plants for your garden or home, propagating lavender is an easy and rewarding process. You can propagate lavender through seeds, cuttings, or layering, but the most effective and common methods are cuttings and seeds.

Here’s a guide on how to propagate lavender through different methods:

1. Propagating Lavender from Cuttings

Taking cuttings from a mature lavender plant is one of the easiest and quickest ways to propagate lavender. This method ensures that the new plant is identical to the parent plant, preserving its desirable characteristics, such as flower color and fragrance.

Steps to Propagate Lavender from Cuttings:

a. Choose the Right Time:
The best time to take lavender cuttings is in early summer, once the plant has matured and is actively growing. Avoid taking cuttings in the winter or when the plant is dormant.

b. Select a Healthy Plant:
Choose a healthy, disease-free lavender plant to take cuttings from. The ideal plant should be at least one year old.

c. Take the Cutting:
Using sharp, clean scissors or pruning shears, cut a 4-6 inch section from the tip of a healthy lavender stem. The cutting should be from new growth (not woody stems). Avoid cutting any flowers, as they can divert energy from rooting.

d. Prepare the Cutting:
Remove the lower leaves from the cutting, leaving a few leaves at the top. This ensures the cutting can establish roots without rotting. Dip the cut end of the lavender stem into rooting hormone, which promotes root growth.

e. Plant the Cutting:
Fill a small pot with a well-draining potting mix. Insert the cutting into the soil about 1-2 inches deep. Gently firm the soil around the cutting to hold it in place. Water the cutting lightly, but avoid over-watering, as lavender does not like soggy soil.

f. Create a Humid Environment:
Cover the pot with a clear plastic bag or a plastic dome to help retain moisture and create a greenhouse effect. Place the pot in a warm, bright location, but not in direct sunlight, as this could scorch the cutting.

g. Monitor the Cutting:
Check the cutting regularly for moisture. Keep the soil slightly moist, but not soaked. In about 3-4 weeks, the cutting should begin to root. You can test for roots by gently tugging on the cutting; if there’s resistance, roots have formed.

h. Transplant:
Once the lavender cutting has developed a strong root system, transplant it into a larger pot or directly into your garden. Gradually acclimate the new plant to outdoor conditions by hardening it off (placing it outside for short periods and increasing the time over several days).

Propagating Lavender from Seeds

While it takes longer to propagate lavender from seeds compared to cuttings, it's a more affordable option for growing a large number of plants.

Steps to Propagate Lavender from Seeds:

a. Choose the Right Seeds:
Select high-quality lavender seeds from a reputable source. English lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) and French lavender (Lavandula dentata) are popular varieties that grow well from seed.

b. Prepare the Seeds:
Lavender seeds need to be cold-stratified to germinate properly. This means they need a period of cold treatment to mimic winter conditions. Place the seeds in a plastic bag with a bit of damp sand or potting soil and refrigerate them for about 4-6 weeks.

c. Plant the Seeds:
After cold stratification, fill a seed tray or shallow container with a well-draining seed-starting mix. Lightly scatter the seeds over the surface of the soil, pressing them gently into the soil with your fingers. Don’t cover the seeds with soil, as lavender seeds require light to germinate.

d. Germination Conditions:
Place the container in a warm, bright area, such as near a south-facing window, or use a grow light. Keep the soil moist but not waterlogged. Lavender seeds generally take 14-21 days to germinate.

e. Transplanting the Seedlings:
Once the lavender seedlings have grown large enough to handle (typically after 6-8 weeks), they can be transplanted into larger pots or directly into your garden. Be sure to harden them off before transplanting them outside, gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions.

3. Propagating Lavender through Layering

Layering is a slower propagation method, but it’s another natural way to create new lavender plants from an existing one.

Steps to Propagate Lavender through Layering:

a. Select a Healthy Stem:
Choose a long, flexible lavender stem that is close to the ground. The stem should be healthy and free of any disease.

b. Prepare the Stem:
Gently bend the stem to the ground and remove a small section of bark where it touches the soil. This will help the plant root.

c. Secure the Stem to the Soil:
Dig a small hole in the soil and bury the wounded part of the stem, ensuring it’s in contact with the soil. You can use a small stone or a U-shaped pin to hold the stem in place.

d. Water and Wait:
Keep the soil around the layered stem moist, but not overly wet. After several weeks to a few months, the stem should develop roots. You can check by gently pulling the stem—if there’s resistance, roots have formed.

e. Cut and Transplant:
Once the new plant has developed a strong root system, cut the stem from the parent plant and transplant it into a new location.

Tips for Successful Lavender Propagation

• Soil: Lavender prefers well-draining soil with a pH of 6.7 to 7.3. Be sure to use a mix designed for Mediterranean plants or create your own by adding sand to your potting mix.
  
  

• Watering: Lavender is drought-tolerant but needs regular watering until it’s established. Once mature, it’s best to water deeply and less frequently to prevent root rot.
  
  

• Light: Lavender thrives in full sun, so ensure your propagating plants get plenty of light.
  
  

• Air Circulation: Good air circulation around your lavender plants is essential for their health, so avoid overcrowding.

• Add lavender essential oil to your diffuser

• Make a lavender linen spray with water and witch hazel, or try this one on Amazon

• Add a couple drops to a body lotion

• Add a few drops into your bath