An Ultimate Guide to Growing Lavender Indoors
Lavender is a fragrant, versatile shrub usually grown in sunny outdoor gardens. You can also grow lavender indoors, but it's not as simple as placing it on your windowsill and hoping for the best. This Mediterranean plant has specific light, soil, and water needs, making it more challenging than typical houseplants. Keep reading to learn how to grow lavender indoors.
Varieties Suitable for Indoor Planting
When growing lavender indoors, it's best to choose dwarf varieties. These varieties have a compact growth habit, won't take up much space, and are easier to care for, making them suitable for beginners. Here are some recommended varieties:
- Hidcote
- Munstead
- Grosso
- Anouk
- Blue Bouquet
- Kew Red
- Imperial Gem
Indoor Lavender Plant Care Handbook
Lavender is not a typical houseplant, but it can grow well indoors when its natural needs are closely matched. The key is sufficient light, excellent drainage, and other specific needs. Below are the essential care tips.
Light
Lavender is typically not kept as an indoor plant because it requires a lot of sunlight, needing at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily. This is usually only possible with a south-facing, unobstructed window or balcony, which is not readily available for many northern or urban homes. Therefore, plant grow lights are often necessary.
Full-spectrum LED grow lights are the best choice for indoor plant cultivation. They maintain stable light quality and a spectrum closest to sunlight, perfectly meeting the light requirements of lavender. Furthermore, their low energy consumption and low heat production ensure low electricity costs and safety for indoor cultivation.
Pot
Choose a pot made of porous material, such as a terracotta pot, to promote rapid moisture evaporation and root oxygenation. Lavender prefers a compact growing environment, so select a pot 1–2 inches wider than the root ball. Ensure the pot has large, unobstructed drainage holes.
Soil
Use a well-draining medium. A pre-mixed cactus or succulent potting soil is an excellent base. To improve drainage further, amend the potting mix with perlite, coarse sand, or pumice (aim for 25-50% amendment). Avoid moisture-retentive mixes or pure clay, which lead to waterlogging and root rot.
Water
Lavender is drought-tolerant and prefers slightly dry soil. Allow the top 1 inch (2.5cm) of soil to dry completely before watering. When watering, soak the soil thoroughly until water flows freely from the drainage holes, then immediately empty the saucer. Reduce watering frequency significantly during winter dormancy.
Temperature
Lavender prefers cool indoor conditions. From spring to mid-autumn, keep nights at 50–55°F (10–13°C) and days at 65–70°F (18–21°C). In late autumn and winter, slightly cooler temperatures are best, with nights at 45–50°F (7–10°C) and days at 60–65°F (16–18°C). Ensure good air circulation to prevent fungal problems, but avoid placing the plant directly in front of heaters, air-conditioning vents, or cold drafts.
Fertilizer
Lavender does not require heavy feeding, but light nutrition can support healthy growth. Use a low-nitrogen fertilizer such as a 5-10-10 formula. During the growing season, apply the fertilizer at half strength every 4–6 weeks. Greatly reduce or stop feeding altogether in winter to avoid over-fertilization.
Trimming
Pruning is an important technique for indoor lavender cultivation. In early spring, trim back about one-third of the green growth to encourage more new growth and a more vigorous plant. Avoid cutting into woody stems, as lavender does not regenerate well from old wood. You can also trim lightly after flowering to maintain shape and encourage bushier growth.
How to Grow Lavender Indoors
There are three ways to grow lavender indoors: transplanting, cuttings, and sowing.
Transplant
Transplanting is the easiest and most recommended method for beginners. Seedlings from a garden center are usually already rooted and strong, which makes success more likely. Simply choose a healthy, vigorous seedling, transplant it into a pot with prepared soil, and care for it according to the instructions.
Cuttings
Cuttings are the most affordable method. Take a healthy, sturdy cutting from a friend, family member, or your own garden, place it in a small pot with slightly moist soil, and keep it in a humid, shaded spot to encourage rooting. Once roots develop, transplant it into the final pot.
Sowing
Sowing is the most challenging and time-consuming method, so it’s best for patient growers who enjoy a challenge. Start by selecting your preferred lavender variety, sow seeds in a seedling tray, and only transplant them into pots once the seedlings are strong and well-established.
Recommended supplemental lights
Indoor lavender needs plenty of light to thrive, but it does not require extremely intense illumination. A 100W LED grow light provides sufficient brightness. The Mars Hydro TS600 grow light delivers most of its light in the 400–700nm range, promoting efficient photosynthesis, and includes IR light (730–740nm) to encourage flowering.
Equipped with 225 high-efficiency chips, the TS600 can replace a 150W HPS light while using about 30% less electricity. It is reliable and safe, with CE, ETL, RoHS, and UKCA certifications, a 5-year warranty, and local after-sales support. This makes it an ideal choice for indoor lavender cultivation.
