ðŸŒą PropagateDirectory
Plants / Lavender

Lavender

Lavandula angustifolia

Also known as: English Lavender

⚠ïļ Toxic to petsLamiaceaeModerate to propagate

A complete guide to growing and propagating Lavender: its care needs, how to take cuttings and root them, how long propagation takes, and how to fix the most common problems.

Lavender care at a glance

☀ïļ Light
Full sun; needs 6-8 hours of direct light for the best flowering and scent.
💧 Water
Water sparingly; let the soil dry between waterings. Very drought-tolerant once established.
ðŸŠī Soil
Lean, gritty, alkaline soil with sharp drainage; rots in heavy, wet ground.
ðŸ’Ļ Humidity
Woody perennial hardy in zones 5-9.
ðŸū Toxicity
Toxic to cats, dogs, and horses (ASPCA); linalool and linalyl acetate cause mild GI upset if eaten.

Track your lavender cuttings & propagation in SnipLog

Log when you took each cutting, set rooting reminders, and watch your propagation timeline — free on iPhone.

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How to propagate Lavender

Softwood cuttings

Difficulty: ModerateTimeline: Roots in 4-6 weeks; pot on and plant out once established.
  1. Take 3-4 inch non-flowering side shoots in late spring or early summer.
  2. Strip the lower leaves and dip the base in rooting hormone.
  3. Insert into gritty, free-draining cutting mix.
  4. Keep humid but airy and bright; avoid soggy compost which rots cuttings.
  5. Pot on once rooted, then harden off before planting out.

Layering

Difficulty: EasyTimeline: Roots in 8-12 weeks; sever the following season.
  1. Bend a low, flexible stem down to the soil.
  2. Nick the underside and pin it into the ground.
  3. Cover with gritty soil, leaving the tip exposed.
  4. Sever the rooted layer and transplant once established.

Common Lavender problems & fixes

Shriveled, wrinkled leaves

Underwatering — give a thorough soak and let it drain fully, then wait until the soil is bone dry.

Mushy, translucent leaves or stems

Overwatering and rot. Cut back watering, repot into a gritty fast-draining mix, and remove any rotted roots.

Stretched, pale growth

Too little light (etiolation). Move to bright, direct light; behead and re-root the stretched top to reset a compact shape.

Track your lavender cuttings & propagation in SnipLog

Log when you took each cutting, set rooting reminders, and watch your propagation timeline — free on iPhone.

Get SnipLog →

Toxicity notes are a general guide based on ASPCA-style classifications — if a pet ingests any houseplant, contact your vet. Care needs vary with your home's conditions.