Lavender Plant Not Growing?

Question:

I need help with my lavender plant. I bought it in early May, an already established plant, Munstead variety. I re-potted it together with rosemary in a nice size pot, because I heard that they are good companion plants. Rosemary is doing beautifully, while lavender has not grown a single millimeter, it looks exactly the same as the day I bought it!? No flowers, no new growth, nothing! It does not show any signs of disease or dying, but not growing either. Please help!

Hardiness Zone: 6a

Zoe from New York City

Answer:

Zoe,

Your lavender plant is probably just settling in and focusing its energy on establishing roots. As long as it isn't showing any signs of disease or dying it's probably just fine. Here are some tips for growing it in containers:

• Lavender prefers a location that receives 7 to 8 hours of sun each day.

• The plants prefer crowded roots, so when you are growing them in containers, shoot for a pot size that is just an inch or two larger than their root ball.

• Good soil drainage is a must so use a light, well-aerated soil.

• Lavenders are fairly drought tolerant plants, but like all plants grown in containers, attention to watering is required. Water your lavender only when the soil appears dry.
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• Lavenders grown in containers deplete nutrition from the soil quickly, so mix a slow release organic fertilizer in with some fresh potting soil each spring.

• L. angustifolia cultivars such as 'Munstead' are slightly larger plants and should either be moved to a larger container or planted out in the garden after a couple of years.

• A light pruning in the spring (before budding) and again in the summer will encourage air circulation and keep your lavender looking good.

Good luck!
Ellen