The Quickest Way to Propagate Lavender! Stop Wasting Your VALUABLE TIME!, by Expedition Homestead on YouTube. 9 min 30 s.
- Video length
- 9 min 30 s
- Time to do it
- 30 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 7
What you need
Steps
Check that your lavender has several separate stems coming out of the ground, each with its own roots. A plant growing from one thick woody trunk cannot be divided.
Know your variety. English lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) splits far more reliably than French or Spanish types, which usually grow from one central stem.
Water the plant deeply the day before you start. Damp soil holds together around the roots and makes the clump much easier to lift.
Dig around the drip line with a spade and lift the whole plant out, keeping as much soil on the root ball as you can.
Look for natural gaps between the stems. Ease the clump apart by hand, or push two garden forks back to back into the middle and lever them gently.
Replant each division straight away at the depth it grew before. Firm the soil around it and water until the ground is soaked.
Water the new plants for the first few weeks, then cut back once you see fresh growth. Add a little grit or mulch around the base.
Tips and common mistakes
Divide in spring or early autumn when the plant is not in flower, so the roots have time to settle.
Never force a woody old lavender apart. If it will not split cleanly, take 10cm cuttings in summer instead.
Trim the top growth by about a third after replanting to cut water loss while roots re-establish.
Wear gloves and closed shoes when levering with a spade or fork, since a sudden slip can cut your foot.
Questions
Can I divide lavender every year?
No. Divide only when the clump has clearly outgrown its spot, usually every three to five years. Frequent splitting weakens the plant.
What if my lavender will not split?
Some varieties, especially French lavender, grow from a single stem and will not divide. Take softwood cuttings from the new growth in summer.
When is the best time to divide lavender?
Spring, once the last hard frosts have passed, or early autumn while the soil is still warm. Avoid dividing in the middle of a dry summer.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
