How to propagate lavender 💜🐝, by RHS - Royal Horticultural Society on YouTube. 1 min 31 s.
- Video length
- 1 min 31 s
- Time to do it
- 30 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 9
What you need
Steps
In late spring or early summer, pick healthy non-flowering lavender shoots. Avoid stems with buds or flowers, because the cutting should put energy into roots.
Cut a 10 cm (4 in) piece just below a leaf node with clean, sharp secateurs. Make the cut straight across and keep the cutting in shade until you pot it.
Strip the lower 5 cm (2 in) of leaves from the stem, leaving a few leaves at the top. Do not tear the stem.
Dip the cut end in rooting hormone powder or gel if you have it. Tap off any excess so the stem is lightly coated, not clumped.
Fill a small pot with free-draining compost, such as half multipurpose compost and half grit or perlite. Water it before you insert the cutting.
Make a hole with a pencil, push the cutting in up to the lowest leaves, and firm the compost around the stem. Water gently to settle it.
Place the pot in a bright spot out of direct sun and cover it with a clear plastic bag or propagator lid. Keep the compost moist, not soggy.
After 4 to 6 weeks, gently tug the cutting. If it resists, roots have formed. Remove the cover and pot it on into a larger container.
Grow the new plant in a sunny, sheltered spot with well-drained soil. Water it in dry spells until it is established.
Tips and common mistakes
Take more cuttings than you need, as not every one will root.
Use clean, sharp secateurs so the stem is not crushed.
Do not overwater; lavender cuttings rot in wet compost.
Open the plastic bag now and then to give the cutting fresh air.
Questions
When is the best time to take lavender cuttings?
Take softwood cuttings in late spring or early summer. You can also take semi-ripe cuttings in late summer.
How long do lavender cuttings take to root?
Most take about 4 to 6 weeks. Check by gently tugging the stem after a month.
Do I need rooting hormone?
No, it is optional. Rooting hormone can help, but clean cuttings in free-draining compost often root without it.
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.
