Lavender is one of the most popular plants you can have in your garden, and it’s easy to see why. Sweet-smelling and loved by pollinators, this striking purple plant is also very easy to look after.
Even though we are now in October and the gardening jobs are starting to wind down for the year, there’s still work to be done when it comes to lavender. According to one expert, doing one quick task now will help you grow ‘unlimited’ lavender in the future, and it’s so easy to do. TheGarden took to Facebook to share how propagating your plant can be a massive help, sharing exactly how to do it.
Taking plant cuttings is a foolproof way to build on its growth, but it has to be done correctly. Thankfully, there is still time to do this even though we’re pretty late into the year – just make sure to use hardwood cuttings from the woody stems of the plant after flowering has finished.
All you need to do is take a look at your plant and locate one one of these non-flowering stems, working your way down the stem until you notice a change in colour, and make the cut here.
Then, remove the leaves from the bottom of the stem, and plant the cuttings in small plant pots filled with ‘good quality but very damp’ compost. From here, place them in a warm, sheltered spot like a greenhouse, and wait for the ‘magic to happen’.
In a few weeks’ time, you should start to notice them developing their own root systems in the soil. And once they grow a little bigger, they can be taken out of the small pot and planted in larger containers.
The gardening expert says that taking cuttings is a great way to grow ‘beautifully fragrant flowers’ which are a ‘real hit’ with pollinators like bees and butterflies. He also hailed it as a simple method for an ‘almost unlimited’ supply of lavender, and it’s completely free to do.
However, if you’re carrying out this task during October, it’s important to remember to use a well-draining compost to help prevent rot and ensure the lavender roots successfully before the next growing season.
