Lavender is one of the most beloved plants by many, especially women. It not only has a pleasant fragrance, but also serves as a natural deterrent to mosquitoes in your yard. Once in bloom, you can harvest it and use it in various products such as sachets, bath salts, homemade teas, and perfumes. If you've ever wanted to add lavender to your garden but never tried it, we'll tell you all you need to know about growing lavender.

1. About Lavender

Lavender is a low-growing perennial plant that can be grown in pots or directly in the ground as an ornamental garden plant. This bushy plant looks beautiful when allowed to grow naturally, but can also be trimmed to help form hedges or create a neater edging along walkways or patios.

Planting in the Ground

Many people consider lavender an ideal garden plant, as it provides both lush greenery and vibrant color. This large plant takes up a significant amount of space in your flower beds and can thrive in a variety of climates. To grow your own lavender, make sure to choose a spot with full sun and well-drained soil. If you believe your soil cannot provide adequate drainage, opt for container growing instead of planting directly in flower beds.

Once you've determined the soil and location are suitable for lavender, you can treat the soil with a high-phosphorus fertilizer, then start planting the lavender, ensuring a spacing of 12 to 18 inches between plants, depending on the size of the plants you purchase.

2. Container Growing

In hot, humid climates like ours in Florida, container growing becomes the preferred option for lavender. Unfortunately, if planted directly in flower beds, the heavy, moist southern soil and climate often provide too much moisture for the plant. Start with a high-quality potting soil, then mix it with a phosphorus-rich fertilizer. Choose a pot size based on the initial size of the planted lavender. The container will help prevent the soil from becoming oversaturated and promote the overall health of the plant.

3. Harvesting

Lavender's growth will provide beautiful purple blooms that last throughout the summer, especially if you're diligent about pruning off spent flower heads to encourage new ones. The best way to harvest them is to cut the stems, bundle them together, tie the stems, and hang them upside down in a dark place to dry. When harvesting, it's important not to cut more than one-third of the flowers at a time. If you take too many, the plant will no longer have an attractive appearance.

4. Faux Lavender

If you don't have real lavender growing, why not re-create the theme using faux lavender? Our stunning lavender wreaths are a highlight for any front door, and our artificial lavender bundles make a lovely centerpiece for a casual dining table.