How to Propagate Lavender in 5 Ways

Lavender is one of the most popular flowers to grow in an ornamental or medicinal garden. Along with its many benefits, these plants are also easy to propagate in a variety of ways.

Let’s take a look at the four methods you can use to expand your lavender collection. With a little care and attention, you will quickly have many new lavender plants to add to your garden. Use them to grow a hedge, attract pollinators, or for harvesting!

One thing to keep in mind before you propagate lavender is to find out if the plant you own has a patent in place. It is against the law to propagate and sell plants that are patented. Most home gardeners are rooting plants for their own use, so this is less of a concern.

How To Propagate Lavender From Seed

Late summer is the best time to start lavender from seed. They should be ready to plant in the garden by early spring. This planting method takes the longest to develop a new plant, but one benefit is that you can start many at one time.  

Materials needed: 

• Seed starting tray with seed starting mix or a small pot filled with soil and compost
• Clear cover for the tray or pot
• Lavender seeds
• Water bottle with mist nozzle
• Grow light (optional)
• Seedling heating mat (optional)

Step 1: Sow the Seeds

Moisten the soil in the seed starting tray or pot. Lavender seeds may germinate more easily after a cold stratification period of 4 to 6 weeks. However, there is some contention as to whether or not this is as effective as it’s touted to be. You can try to cold stratify some seeds and simply plant others. If you do this, document to ensure you know which method works best for you. Place 2-3 seeds per pot or cell and barely cover with soil. 

Step 2: Cover the Tray

Lightly mist the soil with water and place the clear lid over the tray to provide a greenhouse effect. If starting in pots, you can use a piece of plastic wrap or a bag instead of a rigid lid. This traps warmth and moisture to provide an ideal growing environment. Make sure to support any flexible plastic with stakes or even a few chopsticks so it stays off the soil’s surface.

Step 3: Place in a Sunny Spot

Put the tray under a grow light with a heating mat for the best results. If you don’t have a light or heating mat, you can place the seedlings in a warm area that gets plenty of sunlight. 

Step 4: Keep the Soil Warm

Lavender seeds need to be at least 70°F (21°C) and moist to germinate. It’s also not uncommon for them to take up to one month to germinate, so this requires patience. Once they have germinated, you can remove the clear cover. 

Step 5: Transplant to Pots

When the seedlings have several leaves, transplant them to individual pots and continue to water regularly. Allow one to three months until new plants are large enough to be transplanted outside in your garden.

Step 6: Plant Outdoors

Make sure the danger of frost has passed before placing them outside. Gradually harden the plants off to outdoor conditions. When they’ve acclimated, transplant into a garden bed or pot them up.

How to Propagate Lavender Cuttings In Water

The best time to take cuttings is in the spring, but you can do this in the fall as long as you’re willing to protect the plants indoors throughout the winter months.

Either way, choose cuttings that don’t have any flowers. Cuttings should be at least 3 to 4 inches in length and vigorous. 

Materials needed: 

• Pruning shears or sharp scissors
• Mature lavender plants
• Jar or cup of water

Step 1: Select a Cutting

Examine the stems on your mature lavender plant. To propagate lavender from cuttings, select a long stem and search to locate where old growth transitions into new green material. Old growth (also known as hardwood) is dark brown and new growth (softwood) will be light green. Softwood cuttings root better in water, while hardwood cuttings root better in soil.

For softwood cuttings, take your pruning shears and cut where the old growth ends and the new soft growth meets. For hardwood cuttings, cut just below a leaf node. It is a good idea to start more than you need, just in case some don’t root. 

Step 2: Remove Bottom Leaves

Fill the container with clean water and remove the lower third of the leaves on your lavender cuttings. Leave tip leaves intact so that they can photosynthesize.

Step 3: Place in Water

Set the cutting in the water, keeping the remaining leaves dry and above the water’s surface. Wet leaves may soften and begin to rot. Place the cuttings in a warm area that receives sunlight or indirect bright lighting, but where it won’t get too hot.

Step 4: Replace the Water

Replace the water daily with fresh water and watch for signs of new roots growing from the nodes. It will take approximately 2-4 weeks to form roots in softwood cuttings.

Step 5: Transplant

Once the lavender plants have rooted, they are ready to transfer to a larger container with a mix of compost and potting soil. If the weather is warm and you’ve hardened them off, they can be planted directly outside. Otherwise, place them in your greenhouse until the weather warms. 

How to Propagate Lavender Cuttings In Soil

Take cuttings from healthy, straight stems and use clean tools to prevent the risk of contamination to your new plant. Amend your garden soil with compost before planting the new lavender outside. 

Materials needed: 

• Pruning shears or sharp knife
• Mature lavender plant
• 4-inch pot filled with compost and potting soil
• Rooting hormone powder (optional)
• Plastic bag or clear plastic bottle (optional)

Step 1: Remove Cuttings

Take cuttings the same way as described for lavender cuttings in water. 

Step 2: Plant the Cutting

Remove the lower leaves one-third of the way up the stem. This is the portion you will place in the soil. Pre-moisten your potting medium and use a dibbler or pencil to make holes. Dampen the ends of the cuttings, then dip the stem into the hormone powder and gently place the stem into the pot. Gently tamp down the soil around the stem.

Step 3: Manage the Environment

Place the pots in a warm area that receives indirect sunlight during the day. Water when the soil is dry. Cover your cuttings with a plastic bag or clear bottle to help keep them warm, humid, and the soil moist. 

Step 4: Transplant

Root formation takes about the same amount of time as starting a cutting in water. Test root formation after new leaves appear by gently tugging on the cuttings. If there is resistance, then roots have formed. Once the lavender plants have roots, they are ready to transfer to a larger pot or plant outside. 

How to Propagate Lavender by Air-Layering

This propagating method is the easiest, but you have to get it finished before winter. Using rooting hormone will help speed up the process, but it isn’t necessary. 

Materials you’ll need: 

• Mature lavender plants
• Sanitized razor blade or exacto knife
• Rooting hormone (optional)
• Small rock or garden staple

Step 1: Choose Stems

Select a healthy lavender plant in your garden. Identify low-growing stems without a flower at least 4 inches long. Remove the leaves from the middle section of the stems. Do not cut these free from the parent plant; they should remain attached.

Step 2: Make a Cut

With the razor blade or knife, make a shallow cut on the underside of each of the stems you will be air-layering. Take care to not cut all the way through the stem.

Step 3: Bury the Stems

Apply rooting hormone to the cut (if using) and bury the wounded portion of the stems 1-2 inches deep in the soil. To keep buried stems in place, put a stone on them or secure them with a garden staple. Keep the stems watered, but take care not to overwater while the roots are growing. 

Step 4: Transplant

Allow 6-8 weeks for the roots to establish. Then you can cut each young plant away from its parent plant. Transplant the new plants to another spot in your garden. 

How to Propagate Lavender by Division

Division is another method of propagation that can be used to grow new lavender plants, especially for more established and woody plants.

While lavender doesn’t respond to division as easily as some other perennials, it’s an option for older plants with little new green growth. Only use this method for overgrown plants that aren’t performing well.

Materials needed:

• Mature lavender plant with multiple crowns
• Garden spade
• Sharp knife
• Compost or potting soil

Step 1: Prepare the Plant

Early spring or fall are the best times to divide lavender when the plant is less actively growing. Carefully examine the base of the plant to identify any crowns that have developed over time which can be split into new plants.

Step 2: Dig Up

Using a garden spade, dig around the base of the lavender, making sure to avoid damaging the roots. Gently lift the entire plant out of the soil, keeping as much of the root system intact as possible. Shake off any excess soil to better see the natural divisions between the crowns.

Step 3: Separate the Crowns

Using a sharp knife or your hands, gently separate the crowns, ensuring that each division has a healthy amount of roots attached. If any roots are damaged, trim them slightly to encourage healthy regrowth.

Step 4: Replant

Prepare individual planting holes or pots filled with a mix of compost and potting soil. Place each divided section in its new spot and lightly press down to secure the plant. Water each division thoroughly after planting to help establish the roots in their new location.

Step 5: Maintain

Place the new plants in a sunny spot, water them as needed, and avoid overwatering. With a little care, each division will establish over the next few weeks.

Frequently Asked Questions