Lavender is a quintessential garden herb known for its fragrant flowers and foliage.
In its native Mediterranean habitat, this aromatic shrub is found growing in rocky, nutrient-poor soils. This means that lavender typically needs little fertilizer to flourish.
Knowing how and when to fertilize lavender will ensure this aromatic plant stays looking and smelling its best.
Understanding Lavender’s Nutritional Needs
Lavender is a hardy plant that grows best in poor, well-drained soil.
Lavender prefers minimal nutrients, with overfeeding leading to too much foliage, fewer flowers, and increased susceptibility to pests and diseases. Excess nutrients can even dampen the plant’s signature scent.
The key to growing healthy, fragrant lavender is to provide just enough nutrients to support healthy growth while keeping its aroma intact.
Best Time of Year to Fertilize Lavender
Lavender plants only need to be fed once a year. Early spring, as the plant emerges from dormancy, is the ideal time to feed lavender. This will provide the plant with the nutrients it needs as it begins producing new growth through the spring and summer.
Also, pruning is a big part of keeping lavender happy and looking its best. I recently put together a guide that breaks it all down, you can read it here: when and how to prune lavender, so it stays healthy and full of blooms.
Choosing the Right Fertilizer for Lavender
A low-nitrogen, balanced fertilizer or organic compost is suitable for your lavender. Stay away from high-nitrogen fertilizers, as they can cause the plant to grow too fast, resulting in weak stems, fewer flowers, and a reduced fragrance.
Granular vs Liquid Fertilizer
Fertilizers come in two main forms: granular and liquid.
Granular fertilizers release nutrients slowly, making them a great choice for lavender. They can be applied around the base of the plant and will gradually break down over time.
Liquid fertilizers, on the other hand, provide a quicker nutrient boost.
For lavender, a slow-release granular option is usually the better choice, as it won’t overwhelm the plant.
Organic vs Non-Organic Options
Organic fertilizers are derived from natural materials, whereas non-organic fertilizers are chemically formulated.
If you prefer a commercial fertilizer, look for one made specifically for herbs or flowers. These tend to be lower in nitrogen and offer the right balance of nutrients that lavender needs.
Organic compost is an excellent option for feeding lavender because it breaks down slowly and releases nutrients steadily.
Other organic low-nitrogen options include bone meal and eggshells, which, like compost, can either be applied as a top dressing or incorporated into the soil when planting in the spring.
Signs Your Lavender May Need Fertilizing
Lavender is a low-maintenance plant, but there are a few signs that it might need a little extra attention.
If your lavender is growing slowly, producing fewer blooms, or showing signs of yellowing leaves, it could be a sign of nutrient deficiency. However, most symptoms are likely to be signs of other environmental stressors, so it’s important to rule those out before deciding to fertilize.
In general, if your lavender is producing vibrant blooms and looking healthy, it probably doesn’t need any extra fertilizer. But if you notice any of these signs, a light feed in early spring could give your plant the boost it needs.
Common Mistakes When Fertilizing Lavender
Fertilizing lavender is straightforward, but there are a few common mistakes to avoid:
Conclusion
To sum up, lavender grows best with minimal fertilizing. At most, feed it once a year in early spring with a low-nitrogen, balanced fertilizer.
Keep an eye on the timing, and don’t overfeed—excess nutrients can reduce fragrance and affect the plant’s resilience. If you stick to these simple guidelines, you’ll be rewarded with beautiful, fragrant lavender season after season.
I planted a Lavender in a patio pot and it’s growing beautifully, but during the winter should I leave the pot on the patio outside or put in my shed. I leave near Buffalo NY
Hi Bernadette! 😊 Ooh, Buffalo winters can be rough on potted lavender! If it’s in a patio pot, I’d move it into your shed or garage to protect the roots from deep freezes. My friend near Chicago does that and her lavender comes back beautifully each spring. Just make sure the pot stays dry. Cold + wet is what usually kills them.
Recently I received some cutting from a friend. I cut off several stamps and planted them in dirt, kept them from the sun and seem to be rooting. I planted the remaining plant (3″ with roots, wood and branches) in the ground and still look alive but are not getting any bigger. I need some advice on what to do with both to get them thru our cold Wisconsin winter. Please advice.
Thank you!
Shirley
Hi Shirley! 😊 It sounds like you’re off to a great start! For the cuttings, keep them in a bright but not too sunny spot indoors until they develop strong roots, once they’re established, you can transplant them in spring.
As for the little rooted plant in the ground, I’d mulch it heavily before winter with straw or leaves to protect it from deep freezes (especially in Wisconsin!). You could also pop a garden cloche or even a plastic tote over it for extra insulation. Fingers crossed they all make it through winter! 🤞
I have my lavender plants in front of my porch and had very little pets but when sitting out. I have a question how do you tell the difference between a Thanksgiving and Christmas catus
Hi! 😊 The easiest way to tell them apart is by the leaf shape! Christmas cactus has smooth, rounded edges on the leaf segments, they look like little Christmas trees when you flip them upside down. Thanksgiving cactus has pointy, claw-like edges on the segments. Once you know what to look for, it’s super easy to spot the difference!