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Lavender is adapted to the Mediterranean climate and requires little water. You can find out what you should still consider when watering lavender here.
Lavender (Lavandula) is relatively undemanding in cultivation and easy to care for. However, the Mediterranean herb does not tolerate cold and moisture well. In the worst case, waterlogging can cause the roots to rot and other parts of the plant to go moldy. Nevertheless, your lavender naturally needs sufficient water in order to be able to grow well and thrive. So the trick is to find the right amount for your darling when watering.
When, how much and how often you have to water your lavender depends primarily on the external conditions and the form of cultivation. In the following, we will explain what you need to be aware of.
Watering lavender in summer
Thanks to its long taproot and a well-developed root system, lavender planted in a bed is able to provide itself with sufficient water and nutrients from deeper layers of the earth. When cultivating in the garden bed, you only have to water lavender during long dry periods. Flowers and leaves should come into contact with the irrigation water as little as possible. It is best to water early in the morning as this allows the water to evaporate throughout the day.
Tip from the professional: Water close to the ground so that the flowers and leaves are not wetted with water. Otherwise, fungus can develop if the plants don't dry off quickly.
Watering lavender in winter
In a pot cultivation, the lavender needs to be watered more regularly than outdoors. Nevertheless, water potted lavender in moderation during the cold months and make sure that excess water can run off. In the garden bed, you should only water your lavender when necessary in winter if the soil is frost-free and permeable. Otherwise, the roots could be damaged when the water returns to the soil due to the cold temperaturesfreezes. Check out our special article for more tips and tricks for successfully overwintering lavender.
Tip from the professional: You should avoid mulching lavender, because organic material stores water and can encourage mold growth. A layer of pebbles or sand is more suitable, which keeps the soil dry and at the same time provides additional warmth.
Pour the lavender in the pot
As already mentioned, pot cultivation requires regular but careful watering. It is best to ensure optimal pot drainage when planting by placing a layer of drainage material - such as pebbles - in the pot and only spreading the soil over it. A drainage hole on the underside and a matching saucer also allow excess water to drain away.
When cultivating in pots, the substrate should be kept moist, but never wet. It is best to only water when the top layer of soil has dried and make sure that no water runs into the saucer. If this does happen, you should remove the water from it as quickly as possible, because the Mediterranean subshrub tends to rot when it gets waterlogged.
You can find more information about pruning, fertilizing and watering lavender in our special care article.