How to grow lavender from cuttings and avoid plastic trays and sleeves
Eleanor Ashford
Lavender is one of those splendid plants whose very name conjures up the calming fragrance and soft purple blooms synonymous with the old-world charm of cottage gardens. It has the magical ability to transport us to fields bathed in the Mediterranean sun. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or a fresh-faced enthusiast, the act of growing lavender from cuttings is a deeply satisfying endeavour. Even more so when accomplished in an eco-friendly manner that shuns the contemporary addiction to plastic paraphernalia.
Selecting the Perfect Lavender Stems
The first step in this delightful process is choosing the right lavender variety and cutting. Varieties such as Lavandula angustifolia, often referred to as English lavender despite its Mediterranean roots, is a popular choice with its sturdy, fragrant flowers. It's important to select healthy, non-flowering stems. Look for those that are firm yet supple, harbouring a healthy green hue.
Early morning is generally the best time to take cuttings. The plants are well-hydrated from the nightly rest, making them less prone to injury. Snip just under a leaf node using a sharp, clean pair of secateurs to prevent any damage. A cutting length of around 10 centimetres should suffice, giving your future lavender plants enough material to draw upon while they grow their roots.
Preparing Natural Alternatives for Rooting
Now, while the traditional method often leans heavily on plastic trays, we're steering clear of those. Instead, why not try peat-free, biodegradable pots or even repurposed items you likely already have in your kitchen? Eggshells, yes, eggshells, can make perfect miniature pots for our lavender starters. Their natural calcium content offers the soil an alkaline boost, much to the delight of the lavender.
Alternatively, consider using biodegradable cardboard pots, which you can easily source or even make yourself. These will biodegrade naturally when planted directly into the earth, allowing roots to extend without disruption. Line the pots with a rich, well-draining mix of compost and horticultural grit. Lavender flourishes best in an airy, free-draining medium, recalling its rocky native habitats.
Caring for Your Lavender Cuttings Without Plastic
To root your cuttings, simply strip the leaves from the lower half of the cutting, dip in organic rooting hormone if you have it, though this is optional, and insert them gently into the prepared pots. A sprinkle of water to moisten the soil is all they need – we’re not looking for a heavy soaking. Lavender is resilient to drought conditions and prefers to avoid having its feet standing in soggy soil.
Be mindful of their environment now; find a bright spot but avoid direct sun to prevent scorching those tender new leaves. A windowsill in an unheated room or a sheltered spot in the garden can provide the dappled shade and mild warmth necessary to encourage robust root development.
With patience, in a few weeks, you’ll see signs of growth, signalling that roots have taken hold. Coddle these young plants by keeping the soil just moist until they are ready for final planting.
Planting Out: Encouraging a Plastic-Free Transition
Once your lavender has found its feet in its temporary abode, it’s time to transition them to their rightful place in the garden. By now, it's a joyous rendezvous with the outside world as the plants settle into their new beds. You’ll want to introduce them to the garden gradually, avoiding the shock of our occasionally capricious British weather.
A trick to consider is using a terracotta pot for this hardening off phase, which allows the transplants to continue draining well while they acclimate to outdoor conditions. This time, too, is a good opportunity to amend the soil with some organic matter, as lavender enjoys loose, well-fed soil, not unlike the thin soils it adapted to in its native climes.
The Joy of a Plastic-Free Garden
By choosing biodegradable options and sidestepping those garden centre plastic trays, not only have you sidled closer to a more sustainable garden, but you’ve also embraced a deeper connection with the natural cycles that sustain our world. This act, seemingly small, contributes to a broader tapestry of mindful practices that help preserve our environment for future generations of gardeners.
This journey of propagation teaches us much about patience and responsibility. It’s a reminder that gardening is not just in the end result, but in the slow, nurturing journey towards it. We’ve honoured the plant's lifecycle and, in doing so, participated in a tradition as old as civilisation itself.
Reflections on the Craft
As dusk tints the horizon and your new lavender plants catch the last light, imbued with the promise of fragrant blooms, step back and savour it. You have grown not only plants but deepened your stewardship in the garden and practiced a respect for the Earth that modern convenience often fails to value. Who knew that such a simple gesture as nurturing lavender cuttings could resonate so profoundly?
There’s a quiet joy, a deep satisfaction in knowing you’ve not only created beauty but done so with care for the planet. Share this practice with a neighbour, friends, or family, spreading the love for sustainable gardening far and wide. Your lavender will delight not only the senses but will serve as a testament to what can bloom when tradition and sustainability take root together.
Selecting the Perfect Lavender Stems
The first step in this delightful process is choosing the right lavender variety and cutting. Varieties such as Lavandula angustifolia, often referred to as English lavender despite its Mediterranean roots, is a popular choice with its sturdy, fragrant flowers. It's important to select healthy, non-flowering stems. Look for those that are firm yet supple, harbouring a healthy green hue.
Early morning is generally the best time to take cuttings. The plants are well-hydrated from the nightly rest, making them less prone to injury. Snip just under a leaf node using a sharp, clean pair of secateurs to prevent any damage. A cutting length of around 10 centimetres should suffice, giving your future lavender plants enough material to draw upon while they grow their roots.
Preparing Natural Alternatives for Rooting
Now, while the traditional method often leans heavily on plastic trays, we're steering clear of those. Instead, why not try peat-free, biodegradable pots or even repurposed items you likely already have in your kitchen? Eggshells, yes, eggshells, can make perfect miniature pots for our lavender starters. Their natural calcium content offers the soil an alkaline boost, much to the delight of the lavender.
Alternatively, consider using biodegradable cardboard pots, which you can easily source or even make yourself. These will biodegrade naturally when planted directly into the earth, allowing roots to extend without disruption. Line the pots with a rich, well-draining mix of compost and horticultural grit. Lavender flourishes best in an airy, free-draining medium, recalling its rocky native habitats.
Caring for Your Lavender Cuttings Without Plastic
To root your cuttings, simply strip the leaves from the lower half of the cutting, dip in organic rooting hormone if you have it, though this is optional, and insert them gently into the prepared pots. A sprinkle of water to moisten the soil is all they need – we’re not looking for a heavy soaking. Lavender is resilient to drought conditions and prefers to avoid having its feet standing in soggy soil.
Be mindful of their environment now; find a bright spot but avoid direct sun to prevent scorching those tender new leaves. A windowsill in an unheated room or a sheltered spot in the garden can provide the dappled shade and mild warmth necessary to encourage robust root development.
With patience, in a few weeks, you’ll see signs of growth, signalling that roots have taken hold. Coddle these young plants by keeping the soil just moist until they are ready for final planting.
Planting Out: Encouraging a Plastic-Free Transition
Once your lavender has found its feet in its temporary abode, it’s time to transition them to their rightful place in the garden. By now, it's a joyous rendezvous with the outside world as the plants settle into their new beds. You’ll want to introduce them to the garden gradually, avoiding the shock of our occasionally capricious British weather.
A trick to consider is using a terracotta pot for this hardening off phase, which allows the transplants to continue draining well while they acclimate to outdoor conditions. This time, too, is a good opportunity to amend the soil with some organic matter, as lavender enjoys loose, well-fed soil, not unlike the thin soils it adapted to in its native climes.
The Joy of a Plastic-Free Garden
By choosing biodegradable options and sidestepping those garden centre plastic trays, not only have you sidled closer to a more sustainable garden, but you’ve also embraced a deeper connection with the natural cycles that sustain our world. This act, seemingly small, contributes to a broader tapestry of mindful practices that help preserve our environment for future generations of gardeners.
This journey of propagation teaches us much about patience and responsibility. It’s a reminder that gardening is not just in the end result, but in the slow, nurturing journey towards it. We’ve honoured the plant's lifecycle and, in doing so, participated in a tradition as old as civilisation itself.
Reflections on the Craft
As dusk tints the horizon and your new lavender plants catch the last light, imbued with the promise of fragrant blooms, step back and savour it. You have grown not only plants but deepened your stewardship in the garden and practiced a respect for the Earth that modern convenience often fails to value. Who knew that such a simple gesture as nurturing lavender cuttings could resonate so profoundly?
There’s a quiet joy, a deep satisfaction in knowing you’ve not only created beauty but done so with care for the planet. Share this practice with a neighbour, friends, or family, spreading the love for sustainable gardening far and wide. Your lavender will delight not only the senses but will serve as a testament to what can bloom when tradition and sustainability take root together.