Lavenderis a very popular garden plant, but more and more often and more willingly it is also planted in pots on balconies and routes.Growing lavender in a potis slightly different from growing in a garden, however. Seehow to cultivate lavender on the balcony , how to winter lavender in a pot until next year and learn about the bestlavender varieties for pottingHere are all the secrets to growing lavender in pots on balconies and terraces!
Lavender in pots
Conditions for growing lavender in a pot
For the cultivation of lavender in pots on the balcony, choose a sunny and airy place , with a southern or western exposure. In shaded places, lavender blooms poorly and its shoots stretch out excessively.The soil for growing lavender should be fertile, well-drained and light , slightly alkaline or neutral (pH 6.0-7.0), rich in calcium. It can be a universal soil for garden plants mixed with sand (in a 1: 1 ratio) or a ready-made lavender substrate, e.g. from Compo.
Lavender pots should be deepas lavender has deep and strong roots. Lavender pots should have holes in the bottom, allowing excess water to drain from the substrate. At the bottom of the pot, put a drainage layer made of expanded clay, stones, coarse gravel, etc. Lavender does not tolerate standing water in the root zone, but it tolerates short-term drying of the substrate well.
Lavender care in pots
Lavender grown in containers on balconies and terraces has a higher water demand than lavender grown outdoors.We water the lavender in pots systematically but moderately , 1-2 times a week depending on the weather conditions. We deliver water in small amounts only when the soil is clearly dry. However, we do not allow the soil to become excessively dry and hardened. The soil surface can be covered with decorative gravel or fine expanded clay, which will reduce excessive drying of the soil on hot and sunny summer days.
Lavender in pots
In spring (late March and early April) you shouldshorten the lavender shoots by halfTrimming the shoots form a ball shape. This form ensures even air access to the inside of the shrub from all sides and proper lighting of all shoots. We only prune the green growths, leaving the woody part intact, as it regenerates very slowly.
From June to August, during the flowering period, we regularly trim the fading inflorescences. Thanks to thiswe will extend the flowering period of lavenderBy trimming the inflorescences, we try to maintain the spherical shape of lavender. On average, after 5-6 years, lavender loses its attractive appearance, and then it has to be radically trimmed or replaced with a new one if it grows too much.
From April to July, every 2 weeks we supply lavender with a de-acidifying fertilizer, such as Target lavender fertilizer. You should strictly follow the manufacturer's recommendations and avoid over-fertilizing, because over-fertilized lavender loses its aroma.
How to winter a lavender in a pot?
Lavender grown in a pot has higher heat requirementsthan that grown outdoors. Therefore, it requires protection for the winter, also in warmer regions of Poland. In autumn (preferably in October)the pot with lavender should be moved to a bright and cool room for wintering During the wintering process, we constantly maintain a moderate substrate humidity and air temperature in the range of 5-10 ° C.
After wintering in a cool room (end of April-beginning of May)we start hardening the lavenderHardening is getting the plant used to changing the environment both in terms of temperature and drafts (wind). We carry out the hardening period for 10-14 days. For the first few days, place the lavender pots outside for 3 hours a day, gradually extending this time. Permanentlyput lavender on the balcony after May 15th , when the risk of frost disappears.
We can alsoleave lavender on the balcony for the winter, but we must secure it properly. Before covering the pot, we water the lavender for the last time (beginning of October). Place the lavender pots in a place sheltered from the wind on an insulating layer made of thick cardboard or polystyrene. The walls of the pot and the plant are tightly wrapped with a straw mat, thick agrotextile or other material insulating against wind and frost.After winter, remove the cover at the beginning of April and then water the lavender.Only narrow-leaved lavender can hibernate in this way(Lavandula angustifolia).
Lavender varieties for pots
Low-cut narrow-leaved lavender is best for growing in a pot on the balconybecause it will be easier for us to master the bushy plants, andnarrow-leaved lavender is best for our climateamong all lavenders we meet.Varieties of narrow-leaved lavender ideal for pot cultivation are presented in the table below.
In addition to narrow-leaved lavender , French lavender(Lavandula stoechas) is ideal for potting. It differs from narrow-leaved lavender in the characteristic structure of inflorescences. Long petals grow at the top of the spiky ears, the shade of which may differ from the shade of the flowers at the bottom of the ear.French lavender is characterized by a compact habit and small dimensions (40-60 cm high), therefore it is especially recommended for container cultivation. It blooms in spring (May-June) and repeats flowering in autumn (September-October).French lavender, however, is sensitive to frostsand in Poland it is treated as an annual plant, although it is sometimes able to overwinter.
MSc Eng. Agnieszka Lach
