Keeping Lavender Thriving During Winter: Tips for Indoor and Outdoor Overwintering
For a touch of tranquility and charm, lavender is the perfect pick. While it flourishes outdoors, don’t fret – you can still enjoy its benefits all winter long by overwintering it indoors. Discover how to care for your lavender plant during the colder months with these helpful tips.
Annual or Perennial Lavender?
Lavender is a fragrant plant that adds both color and fragrance to any garden. It’s typically grown as a perennial in warmer climates, but it can also be grown as an annual. If you live in a region that experiences USDA Hardiness Zone 5 or higher temperatures, you can grow lavender as a perennial outdoors if you choose the appropriate type for your climate.
Different Types of Lavender
English lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) is a popular and sturdy species. Our favorite variety, ‘Hidcote,’ boasts dark purple flowers. Despite its name, this plant does not actually originate from England. Rather, it thrives in Europe’s warm Mediterranean coastal areas.
How to Overwinter Lavender Plants
English lavender is hardy in Zones 5 and above and typically overwinters without issue when planted in the ground outside. However, if you experience an open winter with no snow cover, consider piling a thin layer (1-2 inches) of straw or shredded leaves over them for added protection.
By following these simple tips, you can keep your lavender plants happy and healthy throughout the winter season. Don’t forget – the sweet scent of lavender can also provide a sense of serenity to any room in your home.
Spanish lavender (L. stoechas) and French lavender (L. dentata) are more susceptible to cold weather and can only survive outdoors in Zone 8 and warmer. In colder zones, they need to be transferred indoors during the winter to ensure their survival. Fortunately, these plants are relatively small and can be grown in containers, which makes moving them between indoor and outdoor environments quite convenient.
When it comes to re-potting lavender plants, be careful not to use a pot that is too big. Adding just one inch of soil around the root ball is sufficient because an excess of soil will make the plant too wet, which lavender cannot stand. Additionally, you do not need to use rich soil; a combination of two parts potting soil and one part perlite or coarse sand is ideal as it allows for quick drainage. If you want to imitate the alkaline soil found in the Mediterranean, add a teaspoon of lime to the potting mix before using it in your lavender pots.
The unique blossom of Spanish lavender has earned it the nickname “rabbit ears.” When it comes to overwintering lavender, English varieties are usually hardy enough to survive outdoors with just a layer of straw for protection. However, Spanish and French lavenders are only hardy to Zone 8, which means they’ll need to be brought indoors in colder climates. During winter, lavender plants typically enter a dormant phase and won’t produce much new growth until April. To care for your indoor lavender during this time, try the following practices:
Watering: Reduce watering during winter, waiting until the top inch of soil is dry before giving your plant a drink. Overwatering can lead to root rot and ultimately kill the plant.
Lighting: While lavender won’t grow much during winter, it still needs plenty of light. If you don’t have a cool, bright windowsill, consider supplementing natural light with grow lights.
Temperature: Lavender likes cooler temperatures during winter, with nighttime temperatures dropping as low as 40°F (5°C) and daytime temperatures not exceeding 65°F (18°C). Keep your plant away from heating sources that could dry it out and drafty windows that could chill it too much.
Fertilizing: Don’t fertilize your lavender until new growth begins in spring. Unused nutrients can accumulate in the soil and become toxic to the plant.
Fringed or French lavender, scientifically known as Lavandula dentata, has a unique feature – toothed edges on its leaves. Although your plant might be in a dormant state, the aroma of its foliage can still be enjoyed, especially when touched. The calming and uplifting scent of this plant can serve as a pleasant memory of summer and alleviate your winter blues.
When spring arrives, it’s best to wait until the final frost of the season has passed and the nighttime temperatures are consistently above 50°F (10°C) before planting your lavender outdoors once again. Additionally, make sure to acclimate your lavender plants to the outdoor environment by gradually exposing them to full sun and cooler spring temperatures. Lavender is not just a beautiful plant; it has numerous health and home-related benefits that are worth exploring.