Free Lavender Plants From Cuttings Using An Existing Plant

To think I used to buy lavender plants when I already owned one! I try not to dwell on it. The truth of the matter is, all you need is access to a mature lavender plant, some scissors and soil, and you have new plants already! Spring and fall are the best times to propagate lavender.

Cut a tender piece (about 4 inches long) from the lower part of the plant, specifically one that hasn't bloomed (you don't want any flowers on your cutting). You also do not want a thick, woody, mature cutting.

Remove the bottom third of the leaves. (Edited to add: After I prepared this post, a family member who is an agronomist shared that I would have even better results if I left only the upper 1/3 of the leaves on the cutting.)

Insert cutting in a pot of healthy soil, making sure there are drainage holes at the bottom. Keep plant moist and place indoors, near a window for light. Continue to keep it moist but do not over water. When you notice some obvious growth (about a month's time or more), and the weather is acceptable to the plant, then you can either give it away as a lovely gift or plant in your own yard.

A week before you intend to transplant, you will want to get them acclimated by giving them a few hours of sun time each day. I was impatient and didn't do this.  At the beginning, my plants wilted a bit and I thought they may not make it. I had to place a laundry basket over them during the hot hours and they eventually sprung back to life. 

Plant in the early morning or late afternoon in a sunny spot when weather is cooler. Give it plenty of water.

The reason I love lavender is that it is beautiful, fragrant, medicinal, has a variety of uses, is heat resistant, doesn't require a lot of water and therefore low maintenance.

Note: The picture above is the same plant a few months later. We expect to have blooms the following year.

What to do with all your lovely lavender? You can make lavender infused cleaning products, lavender carpet deodorizer, dried lavender bouquets, lavender potpourri, make a lavender tea infusion or use in homemade body scrubs. The Chick n' Coop shows us how to make lavender sugar and lavender goat's milk soap. And that is just to name a few... I will be sharing many more lavender related projects in the future because we are in love with this pleasing plant.

What other plants will this method work for? You can try doing this with lemon verbena, chamomile, rosemary and sage for starters...

"And because the breath of flowers is far sweeter in the air (where it comes and goes, like the warbling of music) than in the hand, therefore nothing is more fit for that delight than to know what be the flowers and plants that do best perfume the air."

~ Bacon

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