How Often To Water Lavender? Guide (2023)

Last Updated on February 24, 2023 by Mattias

Watering your lavender plant properly is a delicate matter that, unfortunately, doesn’t have a definite answer. It is not a schedule but something that varies based on different factors. Blooming lavender in your home garden will add beauty to the ambiance. Keep reading to learn how often to water lavender.

How Often to Water Lavender?

Lavender has a natural Mediterranean heritage which means it is a highly drought-tolerant plant. This certain feature makes it a very low-maintenance plant that only requires water once or twice a week in its growing stage and once every two weeks when it’s fully established. However, watering needs may differ based on several factors.

Watering lavender in a correct manner is just as much of significant part as the rest of the process. Lavender is a very easy plant, usually known for its calming scent, but if too much water is given, a rotting odor can occur. The standard answer is given above, but lavender’s watering needs depend on whether it’s planted in a pot or garden. Does it have access to natural rainfall? What season is it? Etc.

Keep reading to find comprehensive answers.

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Newly Planted Lavenders

Transplant shock is a common problem that occurs in new plants. It refers to the plant’s inability to establish a strong and dependable root system.

It is essential to give your undivided attention to newly planted lavenders regarding watering. Mature plants have drought-tolerant features but come in place once fully established. Before that, your young plants will require plenty of water during their first summer months.

• It is recommended to water them on alternate days for the first week or so and once every three days for the first three months. However, you’ll need to cut back on watering in rain showers. 

Lavender in Pots

How often to water newly planted lavenders?

Watering needs may differ slightly if you are growing your lavender plant in pots or other containers. Potted lavenders require more water than garden lavenders because the full sun and heat exposure evaporates most of the water and dries out the plant more quickly.

Even amid the rainfall season, you are supposed to water your outdoor lavender plants regularly. Only refrain if the soil is noticeably damp or soggy. As for the indoor pots, they will remain unaffected by the rain nonetheless.

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How often to water potted lavenders?

• Potted lavenders should be watered once every two weeks under all circumstances. The pots are above ground, meaning that the roots aren’t that deep in the ground and cannot retain sufficient water for extended periods.

Lavender in Garden Beds

Unlike potted plants, lavender in in-raised and ground garden beds requires even less water to thrive. However, lavender in raised beds may need more water than lavender planted directly in the ground.

How often to water lavender in garden beds?

• You should only water your garden lavenders once every two weeks to avoid the risk of overwatering, and in case of rainfall, even that schedule should be amended. Remember that overwatering is the most common negligence that kills a lavender plant, and you should never water a lavender plant if the soil is even remotely damp.

Indoor Lavender Plants

French lavenders (Lavandula stoechas) are the best option to keep indoors as they grow and thrive well even without the outdoor atmosphere. Remember that indoor plants do not have access to rainfall and require a good watering frequency.

How often to water indoor lavender plants?

• The standard suggestion is to water your indoor plants once every two weeks, but that can always change based on the soil’s moisture and climate. You might need to reduce the gaps between watering if the soil seemingly dries out quicker. 
• As for outdoor lavender plants brought indoors to survive winter months, they’ll need to be watered once or twice in 4-6 weeks. They will be in a state of dormancy from early fall to late winter and not require much water to begin with, but this precautionary watering once in a while will reduce the chances of your plant going completely dry.

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Important Factors to Consider

Besides the plant’s growth stage and surroundings, the factors below influence your watering schedule.

Soil type

As you must know, the type of soil in your vegetable garden or pots plays a vital role in plant growth. Soils have unique properties and organic matter that make them suitable for different situations. When discussing your lavender plant, soil with high water-holding capacity is not recommended.

As mentioned above, lavender requires a low amount of water, so using an unsuitable garden or potting soil will absorb too much water, and the pot will become waterlogged and soggy. This can cause the base of the stem to rot, leading to root rot disease in your lavender.

Drainage holes can be added to fix this situation, and if you have potted lavender, you can add gravel or small stones to ensure a good drainage system. Lavender flowers bloom well in moderately fertile and sandy soil because their foliage is supposed to be natural. This means that you should refrain from using soil artificially rich in nutrients.

Humidity 

Despite its Mediterranean heritage, lavender doesn’t do well with high humidity levels. The recommended level is 20-35%. Even though they can survive in high humidity, it is not recommended. 

You must be wondering what humidity levels have to do with watering.

Air is a significant factor in determining how often to water lavender.

If you live in a tropical country and the humidity level is too high (the air is too warm), you should give it as little water as possible. Otherwise, you are at risk of overwatering and killing your plant. Don’t worry because your lavender will absorb the water from the surrounding air itself.

You should also water it less because lavender is a type of plant that is naturally supposed to thrive in hot weather and dry environments.

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Sunlight Exposure

Many people keep their lavenders indoors, thinking they are shade-loving plants, but that’s not the case.

If a lavender plant doesn’t have direct sunlight and full access to the sun, its leaves will not blossom. Now that you know sunlight’s importance, let’s see how it affects watering needs.

If the heat levels are too high, your plant will get thirsty more often. Not only that but the amount of water may also need to be increased. That’s because the sunlight and heat will evaporate most of it, and roots will have little behind to absorb and access.

Weather Conditions 

Due to factors such as heat, light, and air moisture. Lavenders in summer and lavenders in winter have different watering needs as well. 

Summer	Winter
Water your established lavender plants once every two weeks in the summer/ early spring season. The humidity is likely high this season, so make sure to put drainage holes in your pots or containers.	Lavenders naturally go into a state of dormancy during colder months and don’t require regular watering. It is a common mistake to overwater lavenders during this time because the low heat reduces the effects of evaporation as well, but that goes unnoticed by several gardeners.

Lavender and Overwatering

Overwatering lavender plants is a common mistake that several gardeners make. It’s one of the most common things that kill a lavender plant. 

It can be challenging to identify if your plant is overwatered but don’t worry because we have listed some of the most common and noticeable early indications below. 

Signs that your lavender plant is being overwatered 

• Yellow leaves at the bottom
• Falling leaves
• Droopy with brown foliage 
• Rotting odor
• Wet soil for extended periods

What would happen if lavender is overwatered? 

Lavenders don’t like to sit in waterlogged soil and will start getting affected after a certain time.

If the above-listed signs are left neglected, a disease called root rot can occur. Your plant’s roots can eventually drown and die if necessary actions aren’t taken. 

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How to amend this situation

The most effective way to rescue your plant from root rot would be to cut off the diseased roots and replant the rest in fresh, well-drained soil. 

You can do this by using clean shears. After doing so, make sure to water your plant as little as possible. It is generally recommended to avoid watering for 3 weeks and try your best to shade it from rain during this period. 

For future precaution, mix the soil with gravel every once in a while so that it won’t retain much water and leave room for the plant’s roots to grow. 

You should skip watering altogether between rainy days and put your potted plant in sunlight to dry out excess water.

How To Know if Lavender is Underwatered

It is highly unlikely to underwater a lavender plant since it is naturally resistant to drought, but if the following signs occur, your plant is most certainly Underwatered. 

Signs that your lavender plant is being overwatered. 

• Dried out soil
• Weaker fragrance than usual
• Dropped 
• Crispy and yellow leaves 

What would happen if lavender is overwatered? 

Much like overwatering, underwatering is also dangerous for your lavender plant. Initially, it will start turning dry from the lower leaves, but lack of enough water will eventually cause the entire plant to die. 

How to amend this situation

To amend this situation, you’ll need to rehydrate the soil properly. It may seem brick hard, soak it in water for 2 minutes and dry it thoroughly before watering it once again. 

Make sure to check on it every once in a while. Just because it’s a low-maintenance plant doesn’t mean it doesn’t need any water supply at all. The best way to check whether your plant needs water is to stick your finger at least an inch deep in the soil. If it feels dry, then it’s time to water. 

Read also: How Often Do You Water Pothos Plants? Ultimate Guide 2023

How Often To Water Lavender Summary

This article talked about varying factors that determine lavender’s watering needs. We also discussed some general factors you should consider while watering your plant and what would happen if you didn’t think these essential rules.

Overwatering and underwatering are serious problems that can even kill your plant. By learning how often to water lavender plants, you can save yourself from that problem and maintain a beautiful and healthy home garden.

Share with other home gardeners and help them out as well.