How to take lavender cuttings. You might need some patience #lavendercuttings, 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
- 8
What you need
Steps
Take cuttings in late summer, around July or August, when new growth has firmed up but stems still bend. Cut in the morning while the plant is full of water.
Choose a healthy shoot with no flowers or buds. Flowering stems root poorly because the plant puts its energy into the blooms instead.
Cut a piece 7 to 10 cm long just below a leaf node, the bump where leaves join the stem. That is where roots form fastest.
Strip the leaves from the bottom half so 4 to 6 leaves stay at the top. Pinch out the soft growing tip to cut water loss.
Dip the base in rooting hormone powder if you have it and tap off the excess. Fill a small pot with half compost and half grit for drainage.
Water the pot, then make a hole with a pencil. Push the cutting in so the lowest leaves sit just above the surface, and firm the compost around it.
Cover the pot with a clear plastic bag or a propagator lid and keep it out of direct sun. Vent the bag every few days to stop mould.
Keep the compost just moist, never soaked. Roots should appear in 4 to 6 weeks, and you can pot each cutting on once you feel resistance when you tug it gently.
Tips and common mistakes
Take twice as many cuttings as you need, since not every one will root.
Overwatering is the main cause of failure, so let the surface dry slightly between waterings.
Label each pot with the variety name and the date so you know what you have next spring.
Move rooted cuttings to a sheltered spot or cold frame over winter and plant them out the following spring.
Questions
When is the best time to take lavender cuttings?
Late summer, from July to early September, works best because the new growth has ripened slightly. Spring cuttings can work too but root more slowly.
How long do lavender cuttings take to root?
Usually 4 to 6 weeks in a warm, bright spot. Give a gentle tug after a month, and if it holds, roots have formed.
Can I root lavender cuttings in a glass of water?
It sometimes works, but the roots are fragile and often rot when potted. Gritty compost gives much more reliable results.
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.
