Want free lavender plants? How to take lavender cuttings. Happy gardening, by Simon Akeroyd Gardener on YouTube. 1 min 1 s.
- Video length
- 1 min 1 s
- Time to do it
- 20 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 9
What you need
Steps
Pick a healthy lavender plant and look for shoots that have not flowered. Short new growth near the base roots best. Take cuttings in late summer or early autumn.
Cut a stem about 10 cm (4 in) long just below a leaf node, using clean sharp secateurs. Make the cut straight across so the end does not bruise.
Strip the leaves from the bottom 5 cm (2 in) of the stem. Leave a small cluster of leaves at the top.
Fill a small pot with free-draining compost mixed with grit or perlite. Firm it lightly and water it before you start.
Dip the cut end in rooting hormone powder if you have some. Then push the stem into the compost up to the lowest remaining leaves.
Add five or six cuttings around the edge of the same pot, spaced apart. Label the pot with the date and the lavender variety.
Water gently and cover the pot with a clear plastic bag or a propagator lid. Keep it warm and out of direct sunlight.
Keep the compost just damp, never soaking wet. Check after four to eight weeks by tugging a cutting gently to feel for roots.
Pot each rooted cutting into its own larger pot once roots show. Grow them on and plant them out in spring.
Tips and common mistakes
Avoid cuttings from stems that are flowering or woody, as they root slowly or not at all.
Too much water is the main reason cuttings rot, so let the compost dry slightly between waterings.
Keeping the pot out of strong sun stops the cuttings drying out before they root.
Take more cuttings than you need, since not every stem will strike.
Questions
When is the best time to take lavender cuttings?
Late summer to early autumn works best, using semi-ripe new growth. You can also try soft cuttings in late spring if you have fresh growth.
Can you root lavender cuttings in a glass of water?
It sometimes works, but the roots are fragile and often rot when potted. Compost gives much better results.
How long until the cuttings have roots?
Most take four to eight weeks in a warm spot. Check gently with a light tug rather than pulling the cutting out.
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.
