How To Grow Lavender From Cutting

by Growing Lavender

To grow lavender from cuttings, select 6-8 inch non-flowering stems with a slight woody texture.

Cut at a 45-degree angle, removing lower leaves.

Dip the cut end in rooting hormone to enhance root development.

Plant the cuttings in small pots filled with well-draining potting mix, ensuring one node is buried in soil.

Water thoroughly.

Place the pots in a location with at least six hours of direct sunlight daily and water moderately.

Monitor the root system's growth and gradually reduce the use of humidity domes as the plants acclimate.

Key Takeaways

Select 6-8 inch non-flowering stems with a slight woody texture for better rooting, as they have a higher chance of developing roots. Remove lower leaves, leaving at least one leaf node intact to encourage root growth and minimize water loss. Apply a rooting hormone to the cut end of the stem to enhance root development and increase the chances of successful propagation. Plant the cutting in well-draining potting mix, ensuring the node is buried to facilitate root growth. Provide ample sunlight and moderate watering, avoiding overwatering to prevent root rot and ensure the cutting develops a strong root system.

Selecting the Right Cuttings

When selecting cuttings for growing lavender, focus on non-flowering stems with a slight woody texture, as they're more likely to root and establish themselves quickly compared to flowering ones.

Stems from the middle section of the lavender plant tend to root better than those from the top or bottom, so aim to take cuttings from this area. Avoid taking cuttings from weak or diseased plants, as they may not produce healthy roots and could spread disease to other plants.

Cut 6-8 inch stem segments at a 45-degree angle using clean, sharp tools to minimize damage to the plant. This angle increases the surface area for rooting, improving the chances of successful propagation.

Hardwood cuttings, with their slight woody texture, are more robust and likely to develop roots compared to softer, green stems.

Both hardwood and softwood cuttings can be used, but hardwood cuttings generally have a higher success rate. They require less water and are more resilient over time. Softwood cuttings, though easier to handle, may need more attention and water to root properly.

Preparing the Cuttings

To prepare lavender cuttings for propagation, remove lower leaves to promote root growth and reduce transpiration. Select non-flowering stems, as they tend to root more easily. Carefully pinch or snip off lower leaves, leaving at least one or two sets of leaves at the top. This channels the plant's energy towards root development rather than maintaining excess foliage.

Examine the stem for a leaf node, where a leaf meets the stem, as roots are most likely to develop here. Ensure each cutting has at least one leaf node to increase the chances of root growth.

Before planting, create holes in the soil using a pencil or similar tool. This prevents the rooting hormone from being rubbed off when inserting the cut end into the soil.

With prepared cuttings and holes ready, you can proceed to the next step. Careful preparation of cuttings is crucial for successful lavender propagation. By focusing on details like using non-flowering stems and confirming leaf nodes, you set the stage for robust root growth and healthy new lavender plants.

Using Rooting Hormone

Rooting hormone significantly enhances the success rate of lavender propagation by promoting robust root development. By applying rooting hormone, you can increase the chances of growing healthy lavender plants from cuttings. This is particularly useful for both softwood cuttings, which root quickly, and hardwood cuttings, which take longer.

To use rooting hormone, dip the cut end of the lavender cutting into the hormone, mimicking the natural plant hormone auxin to stimulate root growth. Rooting hormones are available in powder, liquid, or gel form at garden centers or online, and can be used with various propagation methods, such as soil or water propagation, to boost the success rate.

The choice of rooting hormone form depends on personal preference, with powder offering a sense of control, liquid providing ease of use, and gel ensuring consistency.

It is crucial to follow the instructions on the rooting hormone packaging carefully, as overusing the hormone can have negative effects, reducing the lavender cutting's ability to root. By following the recommended guidelines, you can ensure the hormone effectively promotes strong root development and accelerates the rooting process.

Softwood cuttings typically root within 2-4 weeks, while hardwood cuttings may take longer. Regardless of the type of cutting, the rooting hormone helps create a robust root system, increasing propagation success. Attention to detail and careful application of rooting hormone can make a significant difference in the health and vitality of your new lavender plants.

Planting the Cuttings

Before planting your lavender cuttings, prepare a small pot with well-draining potting mix to prevent waterlogged soil, which can harm the cuttings. Create a hole in the soil that's slightly deeper than the length of the cutting, allowing for secure planting.

Dip the cut end of the lavender cutting into rooting hormone to promote strong root development. Gently place the cutting into the hole, firming the soil around it to secure the cutting in place and facilitate root establishment.

Plant the cutting at the same depth as it was in the propagation tray, ensuring the node (where the leaf meets the stem) is buried in the soil, as this is where new roots will form. Water the soil thoroughly to settle the soil around the cutting, providing a favorable environment for root growth.

However, avoid overwatering, which can lead to root rot. Instead, maintain consistent moisture levels without waterlogging the soil.

Caring for New Plants

To ensure the healthy establishment of new lavender plants, provide them with ample sunlight and consistent, moderate watering.

Position them in a sunny location, such as an indoor windowsill or a well-lit outdoor area, where they can receive at least six hours of direct sunlight daily. This will promote new growth, signaling that the lavender plant is thriving.

Watering should be consistent, but avoid overwatering, which can be detrimental to the plant. Maintain slightly moist soil, especially during the early stages of growth. If using humidity domes, monitor them to prevent mold growth. Gradually reduce the use of humidity domes as the cuttings acclimate to normal humidity levels.

Pruning is essential to promote bushy growth. Use clean, sharp pruning shears to trim leggy stems and remove dead leaves. This encourages the lavender plant to focus its energy on producing new growth. Always sterilize pruning shears before and after use to prevent disease transmission.

Regularly inspect the root system during the growing season. For lavender cuttings rooted in water, change the water every few days to maintain a clean and oxygenated environment. Fill a glass with fresh water, ensuring the stems are covered but the leaves remain above the waterline. This promotes healthy root development.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can You Root Lavender Cuttings in Water?

You can successfully root lavender cuttings in water by focusing on proper cutting preparation, using rooting hormones, and maintaining water quality. It's best to take softwood cuttings during the summer and avoid winter dormancy periods for optimal results.

Can You Plant Lavender Cuttings Straight Into the Ground?

You can directly plant lavender cuttings into the ground, provided you ensure proper soil preparation, use sharp cutting tools, and plant during the ideal seasons. Additionally, consider factors such as plant spacing, ground conditions, the use of rooting hormone, the benefits of mulching, effective irrigation techniques, optimal planting depth, and pest control measures to ensure successful establishment.

How Long Does Lavender Take to Grow From Cuttings?

Lavender grown from cuttings typically takes 6-12 weeks to establish roots and 3-6 months to produce blooms. To promote healthy growth, employ proper propagation techniques, apply rooting hormones, and prepare the soil adequately. Additionally, consider factors such as climate, pest control, pruning, fertilizer, light, moisture, and temperature management to create an optimal environment for the lavender plants to thrive.

How Do You Make Lavender Bushy Cuttings?

To propagate lavender from cuttings, follow these steps:

Take cuttings: Choose healthy, vigorous stems with no signs of pests or diseases. Cut 2-3 inch stem sections from the tip of the lavender plant, just above a leaf node (where a leaf meets the stem). Remove lower leaves, leaving only a few at the top.
Prepare the cuttings: Dip the cut ends in rooting hormone powder or liquid to enhance root development. Gently tap off excess powder.
Plant the cuttings: Insert the cut ends into a well-draining potting mix, gently firming the soil around the stems. Water thoroughly. Provide bright, indirect light and maintain a consistent temperature between 65°F to 75°F (18°C to 24°C).
Maintain humidity and watering: Cover the cuttings with a clear plastic bag to maintain high humidity. Water gently but thoroughly when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch.
Provide optimal conditions: Place the cuttings in a location with bright, indirect light and maintain a consistent temperature. Avoid direct sunlight, which can cause overheating.
Monitor and transplant: Roots should develop within 2-6 weeks. Once roots have formed, transplant the new lavender plants into individual pots or directly into the garden, using a well-draining soil mix.

Conclusion

To successfully grow lavender from cuttings, carefully select, prepare, and plant the cuttings.

Apply rooting hormone to promote strong, sturdy roots.

Once planted, provide consistent care, including adequate watering and sunlight, to nurture your new plants.

Be patient, as lavender takes time to mature.

With proper care, you can enjoy the beauty and fragrance of thriving lavender in your garden.