Lexi Webster
Lavender is a fragrant herb with a variety of uses, from baking to beauty products and medicinal purposes. It is a popular plant to grow in Australia, and one of the easiest ways to propagate lavender is by taking cuttings. This can be done in a few simple steps and there are different types of cuttings to choose from, including softwood, semi-hardwood, and hardwood cuttings. The best time to take cuttings is after flowering or during the plant's active growing season when it is hot and humid. Lavender cuttings can be rooted in water or soil, although the latter is preferred as too much water can cause the stems to rot.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Best time to take cuttings | After flowering, in summer, spring or early summer |
| Length of cuttings | 10-15 cm long |
| Type of cuttings | Softwood, semi-hardwood, hardwood |
| Softwood cuttings | Taken from new, soft, green growth in spring and early summer |
| Semi-hardwood cuttings | Taken in late autumn |
| Hardwood cuttings | Taken in mid-summer to autumn |
| Soil | Well-drained, neutral to slightly alkaline |
| Watering | Regularly, but avoid overwatering |
| Potting mix | Yates Specialty Potting Mix Cuttings & Seeds |
| Pot size | Minimum 30 cm wide |
| Sunlight | Minimum 6 hours of sunshine daily |
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What You'll Learn
Choosing the right lavender variety for your climate
When choosing a lavender variety to grow in Australia, it's important to consider the climate in your specific region. Lavender generally prefers a sunny spot with at least six hours of sunshine daily and does not tolerate shade or humidity. Here are some popular lavender varieties to consider, each suited to different climate conditions:
English Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)
Also known as "true lavender," English lavender is one of the most popular varieties. However, it is better suited to cool, temperate climates and may struggle in tropical climates. If your region experiences mild summers and winters, this variety may thrive.
Portuguese Lavender (Lavandula latifolia)
For those in tropical Australian climate zones or coastal areas, Portuguese lavender could be an excellent choice. It is more tolerant of humidity and warmer temperatures than some other varieties.
Spanish Lavender (Lavandula stoechas)
Spanish lavender is another option, but it is important to note that it is considered an environmental weed in some parts of Australia, including Victoria, Western Australia, and South Australia, due to its dense and fast growth. Check your local legislation before planting this variety.
Other Factors to Consider
In addition to climate, consider other factors such as the colour and fragrance of the lavender variety. Some varieties may have more vibrant colours or stronger scents, which could be important depending on your purpose for growing lavender. Additionally, some varieties may be easier to propagate than others, so if you plan to grow lavender from cuttings, choose a variety known for its successful propagation rate.
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Taking softwood cuttings in spring or summer
To take softwood cuttings, you will need to work quickly and get the cuttings into the soil as soon as possible to prevent them from drying out. Use a clean and sharp pair of pruning shears to make a quick, clean cut and reduce the risk of disease. In the cool of the early morning, cut pieces of stems between 10-15 cm long, ensuring you make the cut just below a node (the bump on the stem where leaves emerge).
Remove all lower leaves, leaving just a few leaves at the top of the cutting. You can dip the cutting into rooting hormone powder, although this is not essential. Fill a pot or deep tray with a seed raising mix. Use your finger, a dowel, or a pencil to poke holes in the mix, and insert the cuttings. Firm the cuttings into the mix with your fingers and water.
Place the pots in a warm, shaded spot. Once rooting has started (usually after four to six weeks), cut the corner of the bag to increase ventilation. Remove the bag completely after a few weeks. Leave the cuttings in place until they are well-rooted, then pot up individually.
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Rooting cuttings in water or soil
The two most popular ways to propagate lavender are by rooting cuttings in water or soil. The latter is the most popular and fastest method. However, it is important to note that lavender cuttings are susceptible to root rot if left in water for too long.
Rooting cuttings in water
To root lavender cuttings in water, prepare the cuttings the same way you would for soil propagation and then place them in a glass of water. Replace the water every other day to keep it clean and prevent rotting. The roots tend to be weaker, which means the cuttings can suffer from severe transplant shock. So they may have a lower survival rate with this method.
Rooting cuttings in soil
To root lavender cuttings in soil, use non-flowering shoots that have a woody base but a soft, green tip. Gently pull out a 10 cm shoot and strip it away from the main plant, ensuring it has a heel (a strip of bark) attached. Trim the shoot with secateurs. Remove the leaves at the base of the cutting and dip the cutting into rooting hormone powder that’s suitable for semi-hardwood cuttings. Next, fill a pot with a seed-raising mix. Using a pencil, poke a shallow hole in the top of the mix and insert the cutting. Firm the cuttings into the mix with your fingers and water. Keep the soil evenly moist, but not wet or soggy. Check daily to make sure that it never dries out completely. You will know your lavender cuttings have started rooting when you see new leaves growing on top.
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Caring for young plants
When caring for young lavender plants, it is important to keep the potting mix moist as the plant establishes itself. Applying organic mulch, such as bark chips, can help with this. Once the plant is established, lavender is fairly drought-tolerant, but it will be much healthier if watered regularly. In extended periods of hot and dry weather, lavender will benefit from a deep watering once or twice a week. However, take care not to overwater, as lavender does not like wet roots.
Lavender grows best in an airy, sunny spot that receives at least six hours of sunshine a day. It does not like shade or humidity. The soil or potting mix should be well-drained, and the soil pH should ideally be neutral to slightly alkaline. If the soil is too acidic, you can increase the pH with Yates Hydrangea Pinking Liquid Lime & Dolomite.
Regular pruning is required to promote denser growth, better flowering, and to reduce woody stems from developing in the centre of the plant. Once flowering has finished each year, cut the plants back by one-third. Pruning should take place just after the flowering season finishes.
To promote healthy growth and lots of flowers, feed the plants regularly from spring to autumn with a fertiliser such as Yates Thrive Natural Roses & Flowers Concentrate.
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Pruning and maintaining mature plants
Pruning is essential to maintaining the health of your mature lavender plants, allowing them to withstand stressors like heat, drought, and pests. It also keeps your bushes looking neat and nicely shaped. Regular pruning is recommended, ideally twice a year, to give your plant time to regenerate fresh flowers and prepare for the next season.
When pruning, it is important to use disinfected and sharp shears or secateurs to make clean cuts, minimising the risk of disease and rot. Before pruning, inspect the plant to identify the new, green growth and the woody base. Cut the stems back by about one-third of their length or 5-10 cm above the new growth. Work in small sections, cutting between the leaf nodes. Avoid cutting into leafless old wood, as this may harm the plant.
For mature plants, heavier pruning is appropriate. You can remove up to two-thirds of the plant's volume to encourage denser foliage and better flowering. However, be cautious not to cut more than two-thirds, as this could be detrimental to the plant.
Deadheading is a type of pruning that involves removing spent flowers or seed heads. This can be done at any time of the year but is most useful during the growing season. After the first flowering, cut off any dead or faded flowers with a short stem but no leaves. Deadheading can even promote multiple flowerings in a year.
In addition to pruning, proper maintenance of mature lavender plants includes ensuring adequate sunlight, drainage, and soil conditions. Lavender thrives in an airy, sunny spot with well-drained soil or pots. It prefers neutral to slightly alkaline soil and should not be overwatered.
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Frequently asked questions
The best time to take cuttings is in the spring or summer, after flowering. This is when the plant is in its active growing season.
You can use softwood or hardwood cuttings. Softwood cuttings are taken from the new, soft, green growth that appears on lavender bushes in the spring and early summer. Hardwood cuttings are taken later in the season, from mid-summer to autumn.
Lavender cuttings can be rooted in water or soil, but soil is recommended. If you use water, be careful not to leave the cuttings in for too long as they are susceptible to root rot. If you use soil, keep it moist and water regularly.
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