June 14, 2023, 8:57 am | Read time: 3 minutes
Lavender enhances any balcony or garden—at least when it’s in full bloom. However, if it dries out, it looks anything but beautiful. What helps in this situation and why you shouldn’t immediately reach for the watering can is explained here.
Lavender is one of the most popular balcony and garden plants. Not only does the flower look beautiful and smell pleasant, but it is also a real bee magnet. Where lavender is planted, there’s a constant buzz throughout the day. Yet, occasionally, the usually low-maintenance lavender can dry out. Hobby gardeners often instinctively grab the watering can to try to save what can be saved. But with lavender, this can be a mistake.
Don’t Water Dried-Out Lavender Immediately
Before reaching for the watering can with dried-out lavender, you should first understand the causes. Lavender doesn’t dry out just because it wasn’t watered enough. If it looks brown and withered, there could be a completely different reason—and watering might actually lead to the plant’s death.
Lavender can also die if it receives too much water. This is relatively common. Too much water and waterlogging can cause the roots to rot. As a result, the roots can absorb little or no water, and the lavender dries out.
Too Little Water Isn’t Good Either
Often, lavender dries out because it was overwatered—but of course, too little water is also a problem. Although the plant originates from Mediterranean regions and its roots are deep enough to draw necessary moisture over a longer period, a prolonged heatwave can still cause lavender to dry out. Potted plants, in particular, need to be watered more frequently.
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Determine the Cause
To determine whether the lavender has dried out due to too much or too little water, there’s a simple method: It is recommended to slit the stems. If they are brown inside, the lavender likely hasn’t been watered enough.
If it has been watered too often and the roots have rotted, the stems are usually still green inside. In this case, you can still save the lavender by repotting or replanting it.
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Preventing Lavender from Drying Out
To ensure lavender thrives, the right location is crucial. The plant likes it warm and sunny. Additionally, well-drained soil is necessary. If this is not the case, water can accumulate. Shortly after planting, lavender should be well-watered. Over time, it’s sufficient to water only when the soil is dry on top.