True Lavender is also known as English Lavender. This aromatic plant with it's small, purple, very fragant flowers and greyish foliage and stems originates from the Mediterranean and needs dry and sunny conditions to thrive. The flowers and stems are hanged upside down to dry. Lavender is used for example to make ice-cream, candy and as sugar flowers for cake decoration. A herbal tea made from the dried flowers and leaves is very soothing and relaxing. The flowers are also used to make an very aromatic and soothing oil, which is used to make soaps and other cosmetic products.
Indoor sowing: february - april
Outdoor sowing: september - october
Germination: 14 - 42 days
Germination temp.: 20 - 22 °C
Sowing depth: 5 - 6 mm
Plant distance: 45 - 60 cm
Plant position: sunny
Days till harvest: 120 - 130
Lavender seeds are known to germinate very irregularly. According to some, the seeds germinate better after stratification. Place the seeds still in the package in the fridge for approx. one week. After this stratification You must let the seeds get used to indoor temperatures before sowing.
Sow indoors or outdoors under glass from february in seeding trays with some potting soil. Sow the seeds on the soil and press gently in the soil. Cover the seeds with a very thin layer of soil, because this plant is a light germinator. Keep moist, but not waterlogged. These seeds take a long time to germinate and to much water can cause moulding of the seeds. Ensure the seeds are kept on the right germinationtemp. because low temperatures can cause rotting. The temperature should be as even as possible and make sure that the temperature doesn't drop during the night.
Transplant the seedlings, when they are large enough to handle, to seperate pots. Put the pots outside after the 15th of may to adjust for approx. 2 weeks to outdoor conditions. Plant them after this period on a very sunny spot in Your garden. Lavender likes loamy, sandy, free draining soil . It is a slow growing plant and normally it doesn't flower in the first year after sowing.
Lavender can also be sown outdoors. This is possible from september till october. The seeds recieve a natural stratification period and there's no need to stratify them in the fridge. The seeds germinate in the spring of the following year. Thin the seedlings, when they are large enough to handle, to approx. 15 cm apart.
This plant can also be grown in pots, but then they need some liquid compost every two weeks or so to stimulate flowering. Lavender is a semi-hardy plant and it has to be cut back a little in autumn and spring to keep the plant looking good and to cut away any dead parts from the plants. Protect the plants against frosts.
