Have you ever wanted to enjoy the calming scent of lavender in your own home? Growing this fragrant herb indoors might seem like a challenge, but with the right know-how, it's completely achievable. The key is to understand what lavender loves most: tons of sun, dry conditions, and a little bit of care. Let's dig into how you can successfully grow your own beautiful, blooming lavender indoors.
What Does Lavender Need to Thrive Indoors?
Getting lavender to be happy in a pot is all about mimicking its native Mediterranean habitat. It's a plant of extremes—it loves sun and dislikes water—so getting the balance right is key.
1. Choose The Right Lavender Variety: Full-size English lavender, will not grow as well indoors as it would in an outdoor garden. It doesn't mean that it can't be done, but for better chances of indoor growing success, opt for a dwarf variety that is smaller and better for growing in a pot, like the Munstead or Hidcote varieties, according to Herbs at Home.
2. Light Is Non-Negotiable: Lavender is a sun-loving plant, and this is the most critical factor for indoor success. It needs a minimum of six to eight hours of direct sunlight each day to grow full and produce its signature blooms. A south-facing window is often the best spot in your home for this.
If you don't have a super sunny window, a full-spectrum grow light (like the Aspect™ Gen 2) can be a game-changer for providing the intense, consistent light lavender craves. This is especially true during winter months when natural sunlight is weaker and days are shorter.
3. The Right Soil and Pot: The number one killer of indoor lavender is root rot from soggy soil. You need a potting mix that drains exceptionally well. You can use a mix specifically for cacti and succulents, or amend a standard potting mix with perlite or coarse sand for better drainage. The pot itself is also very important. A terracotta or unglazed clay pot is an excellent choice because its porous material helps wick away excess moisture from the soil. Just make sure the pot has plenty of drainage holes at the bottom.
As the University of Illinois Extension explains, lavender's biggest struggle is dampness, which is why extremely well-drained soil is essential to a long and healthy plant life.
4. Water Wisely: Lavender is highly drought-tolerant once established. It's much better to underwater than to overwater. You should let the soil dry out completely between waterings. When you do water, do so thoroughly until it runs out of the drainage holes, then let it fully dry out again before the next watering session.
Don't give your lavender the same amount of water that you'd give a typical tropical houseplant, or it will rot.
5. Airflow and Temperature: Good air circulation is vital for keeping lavender healthy and preventing fungal diseases. Place your plant in a well-ventilated spot and rotate it every few weeks to ensure even growth. Lavender prefers moderate, stable temperatures and low humidity, so keep it away from humid rooms like the bathroom and away from cold drafts or hot air vents.
How to Prune and Harvest Lavender for a Lush Plant
Pruning is your secret weapon for keeping your lavender plant compact and encouraging more blooms. The best time to prune is in the spring, once new growth appears. Trim about one-third of the plant, being careful not to cut into the old, woody parts of the stem. You can also snip off spent flowers (a practice called deadheading) to encourage new blooms.
The University of Florida IFAS Extension notes that regular pruning helps lavender stay compact and well-kept, which is key for a healthy container plant.
When you're ready to harvest the fragrant stems, do it just as the flowers are about to fully open. Tie them into small bundles and hang them upside down in a cool, dark, well-ventilated space to dry. Once they're dry, you can use the buds for sachets, essential oils, or culinary purposes.
Beyond the Blooms: What to Do with Your Harvested Lavender
Once you’ve successfully harvested and dried your lavender, a whole world of uses opens up! The dried buds and flowers are a fantastic, all-natural way to bring a calming scent and flavor into your life.
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Sachets: Fill small muslin or organza bags with dried lavender buds and tuck them into drawers, closets, or under pillows for a soothing, fresh scent.
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Essential Oils: Use your dried lavender in a carrier oil (like olive or jojoba) to create a fragrant oil. Steep the buds for several weeks in a sealed jar, shaking it every few days, then strain out the lavender to use the oil for aromatherapy or massage.
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Culinary Creations: Lavender is an edible herb! Use the dried buds in baking to add a unique floral note to cookies, shortbread, or scones. You can also infuse honey or sugar with it for a delicious twist on everyday recipes.
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Tea: Simply add a small amount of dried lavender buds to hot water for a fragrant and calming herbal tea.
There are endless uses for lavender, including soap, a scented bath, cleaning solutions, room sprays, and beyond. According to the experts at the Cleveland Clinic, there are also health benefits of using lavender, due to lavender plant parts containing different chemical compounds that positively affect your wellbeing.
The Ultimate Hack for Indoor Lavender Success
For a plant that requires so much light, it can be tough to give it a consistent "day" of sun, especially with the changing seasons. The ultimate set-it-and-forget-it hack for lavender is a grow light with a timer, included with all of Soltech’s grow lights (North American orders, specifically). This automates the most critical aspect of lavender care, ensuring your plant gets a consistent 12-14 hours of intense light every single day. This frees you up to simply enjoy the beautiful foliage and calming fragrance of your healthy, happy plant.
Ready to find the perfect light to help your lavender flourish? Take our Lighting Quiz to discover the best Soltech light for your plant's specific needs!
FAQ: Growing Lavender Indoors
Will indoor lavender grow as big as outdoor lavender?
No, indoor lavender typically stays much smaller and more compact than its outdoor counterparts. You can choose a dwarf variety like 'Munstead' or 'Hidcote' to help it fit a container better.
What are the signs of an overwatered lavender plant?
The most common signs are yellowing or browning leaves and soft, mushy stems. This indicates the roots are likely rotting. If you see this, stop watering and let the soil dry out completely before you try again.
Can I grow lavender from a cutting?
Yes, lavender is easily propagated from cuttings. Take a 4- to 6-inch cutting from a healthy stem, remove the lower leaves, dip the end in rooting hormone, and place it in a well-draining soil mix until roots form.
How do I know if my lavender plant needs more light?
A lavender plant that isn't getting enough light will grow "leggy" with long, spindly stems and sparse foliage. It may also fail to produce flowers. If you see these signs, move your plant to a sunnier location or add a grow light.
Should I fertilize my indoor lavender plant?
Lavender has very low nutritional needs. Over-fertilizing can lead to excessive foliage growth and a decline in blooms. A very light feeding once or twice during the active growing season (spring and summer) is usually more than enough.
