If you’ve ever wanted to fill your garden with the sweet scent of lavender, but didn’t want to spend a fortune on nursery plants—good news. You can grow your own lavender from cuttings. That’s right! No seeds, no fancy tools, and no green thumb required. Just a healthy plant, a pair of scissors, and a little patience.
Let’s walk through the entire process, from snipping your first stem to watching roots take hold. Spoiler alert: it’s way easier than most folks think.
Why Grow Lavender from Cuttings?
Before we get our hands dirty, let’s talk about why this method rocks:
- It’s Free (or Close to It): One lavender plant can give you dozens of new ones.
- Faster Than Seeds: Cuttings grow up quicker and stay true to the parent plant.
- Super Satisfying: Watching a snipped stem turn into a blooming bush? Oh, it’s magic.
Ready to start? Let’s dive in.
Step 1: Choose the Right Lavender Plant
Not all lavender varieties root the same way, but most English (Lavandula angustifolia) and French (Lavandula dentata) types do just fine.
Look for:
- A healthy, mature plant that’s at least a year old
- Strong, non-flowering stems
- No signs of disease or pests
Avoid woody or overly thick branches—they don’t root as well.
Step 2: Take the Cuttings
Grab a clean, sharp pair of scissors or garden snips.
Here’s what to do:
- Snip a 4- to 6-inch stem from the plant, ideally early in the morning when the plant is fresh and hydrated.
- Choose softwood stems (the flexible, green part—not the older, woody sections).
- Cut just below a leaf node (that’s the bump where leaves grow out).
Take a few extras in case some don’t root.
Step 3: Strip and Prep the Stems
Once you’ve got your cuttings:
- Remove the leaves from the bottom half of the stem.
- Gently scrape a tiny section of the lower stem with your fingernail. This encourages root growth.
- Optional: Dip the cut end in rooting hormone (powder or gel). It’s not required, but it boosts your success rate.
Step 4: Plant the Cuttings
You’ll need a small pot or tray filled with well-draining soil. A mix of:
- 50% potting mix
- 50% perlite or coarse sand
…works like a charm.
Now:
- Poke a hole in the soil with a stick or pencil.
- Gently insert the cutting, firming the soil around it.
- Water lightly—don’t drown it.
Pro tip: Stick 3–5 cuttings per pot to save space. You can separate them later.
Step 5: Create a Mini Greenhouse
Lavender cuttings need humidity to root, but not soaking wet conditions.
Here’s a quick hack:
- Cover the pot with a clear plastic bag or a plastic dome.
- Use sticks or straws to keep the plastic from touching the leaves.
- Place in bright, indirect light—not full sun!
This keeps the moisture in without cooking the cuttings.
Step 6: Wait and Watch
Patience, friend. Roots won’t appear overnight.
- Check every few days for mold or rot (toss any mushy ones).
- Keep the soil slightly moist, not soggy.
- After 3–6 weeks, give the stems a gentle tug. If there’s resistance, you’ve got roots!
Step 7: Pot Them Up
Once your lavender cuttings are rooted:
- Move them into individual pots with regular potting soil.
- Gradually introduce them to more light (a process called hardening off).
- Let them grow strong for another month or two before planting in the garden.
Bonus Tips for Success
- Timing matters: Early spring or late summer is ideal.
- Don’t overcrowd: Good airflow keeps mold away.
- Keep it warm: Temperatures around 65–75°F (18–24°C) are perfect.
- Label your varieties if you’re growing more than one kind—lavender loves to mix it up!
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Even though growing lavender from cuttings is easy, a few missteps can ruin the fun:
- Using flowering stems: They focus on blooming, not rooting.
- Overwatering: Lavender hates soggy soil.
- Skipping sunlight: They still need light—even if indirect.
Fix these, and you’ll be swimming in lavender plants in no time.
Final Thoughts: It’s Lavender Season, Baby!
Once you get the hang of it, propagating lavender from cuttings becomes second nature. You’ll be snipping and planting like a pro—and your garden (and friends!) will thank you for it.
Got one lavender plant? You’re just weeks away from having five. Or ten. Or a whole row!
So go ahead. Grab those shears, find a sunny windowsill, and start your lavender legacy today. It really is easier than you think.
