How to Grow Lavender Indoors: Easy to Follow Steps for a Thriving Plant

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Lavender is a sweet-smelling flowering plant in the Lamiaceae family. Technically, the word lavender refers to a genus of plants, not a specific species. There are about 47 species of lavender and even more cultivars. These lovely plants are very popular garden flowers. They attract pollinators, leave a sweet scent behind, and bring a pop of color to just about any space. The best part about growing lavender is that this plant isn’t fussy. You don’t need a large backyard. Lavender plants also thrive indoors but with a few special considerations. Continue reading to learn how to grow lavender indoors.

Lavender is a genus of flowering plants in the mint family. They have a very wide range. This genus is native to parts of the Old World. In other words, lavender is not native to North America, although it’s found throughout the continent. This popular plant is grown as an ornamental and for its medicinal or culinary uses.

Lavender is an old plant with a long and rich cultural history. It’s been referenced and used for thousands of years and used as a treatment for many illnesses and injuries, including insomnia and stress. Interestingly, lavender also has a culinary use. This plant is often baked into food. Lavender tea is a popular dish. The lavender species most often used in cooking is the English lavender plant. Lavender also bakes well. It’s often used as a flavoring for baked goods like cupcakes and bread.

As stated earlier, there are many lavender species. Listed below are a few you can grow both indoors and outdoors.

Lavender is surprisingly easy to grow indoors. You won’t need to spend hours each day caring for this stunning plant. However, it can be harder to grow this plant indoors compared to outdoors. This all depends on your environment and outdoor temperature. Lavender plants need a lot of bright light, water, and air. Too much or too little of these things can cause problems. Follow along to learn how to grow lavender indoors in five easy steps.

©iStock.com/Iva Vagnerova

The first step on our list is the choose the right variety. While there are over 40 species, there are hundreds of cultivars and types. Some of these varieties best grow in small spaces. You’re going to want to choose a container/pot-friendly variety. Most lavender plants though do well in containers as they are compact and dense. Some varieties you may want to look into are Lavenite Petite, Little Lottie, Miss Katherine, and Spanish Lavender ‘Balerina’.

This second step of growing lavender indoors is the most tedious, the set-up. After you choose the lavender variety you want, you can either purchase the seeds or an already-started plant. Growing from seed can be more difficult, but is also very rewarding.

So, what kind of soil does your lavender plant need? Lavender plants need well-draining slightly alkaline soil. Most garden and nursery stores sell lavender potting soil. You can also make your own by mixing potting soil and horticultural sand or perlite. Lavender plants need nutrient-poor soil, that isn’t compact. The plant needs room to breathe.

After choosing the right soil and seeds, you’ll need to find a container/pot. In this section of this step, you can get creative! Most people recommend using terracotta or ceramic pots, but you can use anything as long as there are drainage holes at the bottom. It’s best to start with a large container, with a diameter of at least 10 inches to allow for the roots to spread.

©Kristen Prahl/Shutterstock.com

Possibly the most difficult part of growing lavender indoors is finding the right spot. Lavender plants love bright, direct light. You’ll need to place your container with your lavender plant in a spot that receives at least 6 hours of bright direct light. If you don’t have a bright enough window, you can also use grow lights. If you use an LED grow light though, you’ll need to turn it on for more than 6 hours. The light needs to be on for at least 10 hours.

Mature lavender plants are drought-tolerant. During the first year, you’ll need to water your plant once or twice a week. Your plant’s watering needs increase though depending on the season. If you live in a very warm climate and the sun is too intense, you’ll need frequent deep watering. When the plants are mature, you can water them sparsely, about once every two to three weeks as the flower buds form.

The last step on how to grow lavender indoors is multiple steps in one. Lavender takes about a year to grow from seed to bloom. However, they produce more flowers each year. Lavender doesn’t need fertilizer. Fertilizers and added nutrients can harm the plant. Stress may result in a loss of flowers and wilting leaves.

Pruning lavender plants is important. It helps them grow. You can trim lavender plants lightly, by avoiding the woody stem. If you don’t, your plant may become tall and leggy, falling over with the weight. As your plant matures, you’ll need to prune your lavender at least once a year.

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