If you’re anything like me, you’ll understand the irresistible charm of lavender. There’s just something magical about those silvery-green leaves and soft, fragrant blooms swaying in the breeze. I’ve always loved how lavender brings a calming atmosphere to my garden, not to mention the bees and butterflies it attracts. It wasn’t long before I found myself wanting *more* lavender without the cost of buying new plants. That’s when I learned how to propagate lavender cuttings—and trust me, once you get the hang of it, it’s a game-changer.
Today, I’m going to walk you through the exact process I use to propagate lavender, so you can enjoy more of this beautiful, aromatic plant in your garden too. Don’t worry if it sounds tricky at first—it’s actually much easier than you might think, and I’ll be here with you every step of the way.
Why Propagate Lavender?
Before diving into the how-to, let me share why propagating lavender cuttings is such a brilliant idea. First, it’s a fantastic way to grow new plants for free. Who doesn’t love that? Plus, if you’ve got a favourite lavender variety you want more of, this is the best way to ensure your new plants are exact clones of the original. It’s also a great way to share a bit of your garden with friends and family. I’ve given away countless baby lavender plants to neighbours and fellow gardeners, and it always feels like a little piece of my garden is spreading love elsewhere.
What You’ll Need to Get Started
Before you start snipping away, here’s a quick checklist of what you’ll need to propagate lavender cuttings:
– A healthy lavender plant (this is key—make sure it’s disease-free and thriving)
– Sharp, clean scissors or pruning shears
– A small pot with well-draining soil or compost
– A clear plastic bag (or a propagator if you have one)
– Optional: Rooting hormone powder (I’ll explain why I sometimes use this)
Right, with your tools at the ready, let’s get started!
Step 1: Choose Your Cutting
The first step is to select the right lavender stems to take cuttings from. You want to choose healthy, non-flowering stems. This is important because the plant’s energy is focused on producing flowers, and we want it to focus on rooting instead. Ideally, you want a stem that’s about 10-15cm long and still flexible but firm—this is known as a semi-hardwood cutting. The ones that are too soft or woody tend to struggle with rooting, so this middle ground is perfect.
I like to take cuttings in the morning when the plant is well-hydrated. There’s something calming about being out in the garden in the early hours, the air still fresh with morning dew. Plus, it’s when the plant’s moisture levels are highest, which helps the cutting stay hydrated longer.
Step 2: Snip, Strip & Prep
Now for the fun part—making the actual cut! With your sharp scissors or shears, make a clean cut just below a leaf node (this is where the leaves grow out of the stem). It’s important to cut at an angle so the cutting has more surface area for rooting. I always make sure my tools are clean to avoid any chance of infection—I’ve learned this the hard way after losing a few cuttings to rot!
Once you’ve got your cutting, gently strip off the leaves from the lower half of the stem. You want about 2-3 inches of bare stem to stick into the soil, but leave some leaves at the top so it can still photosynthesize. If you want to give your cuttings a bit of a boost, dip the stripped end in rooting hormone powder before planting. I don’t always use it, but I’ve found that it does help speed up the rooting process.
Step 3: Plant Your Cuttings
Next, it’s time to get those cuttings into soil. Fill your small pot with well-draining compost or soil. Lavender *hates* sitting in soggy soil, so make sure the mix is light and drains quickly. I’ve found that adding a bit of sand or perlite to regular compost helps give it the texture lavender prefers.
Make a small hole in the soil with your finger, about 2 inches deep, and gently insert the cutting into the hole. Press the soil around it lightly to hold the cutting in place. I usually put a few cuttings in the same pot, leaving some space between them so they’re not overcrowded. It’s amazing how quickly you can fill a pot with potential new lavender plants!
Step 4: Create a Humid Environment
Lavender cuttings need humidity to help them root, especially in the early stages. This is where the plastic bag or propagator comes in. If you’re using a plastic bag, just pop it over the pot, making sure it doesn’t touch the cuttings (you can use sticks or skewers to create a little frame). This creates a mini-greenhouse effect, keeping the moisture in while letting air circulate. If you’ve got a propagator, even better—it does all the work for you.
I usually keep my cuttings in a warm, bright spot but out of direct sunlight. Too much sun can stress them out, especially when they’re just trying to root. Indirect light is perfect, and within a couple of weeks, you should start seeing new growth—this is the exciting part!
Step 5: Patience & Aftercare
Now comes the part where you’ll need a bit of patience. Rooting can take a few weeks, sometimes longer, depending on the conditions. I’ve learned to resist the urge to check for roots too often. Disturbing the cutting early on can ruin your chances of success, so I try to leave them be and keep the soil lightly moist (but never soggy).
Once you see new leaves forming, that’s a good sign your cuttings have taken root. At this point, you can remove the plastic bag and let them adjust to the regular air. After about 6-8 weeks, I gently tug on the cutting—if I feel resistance, I know roots have formed, and it’s ready to be transplanted into a larger pot or into the garden.
Final Thoughts: Why It’s So Rewarding
Propagating lavender cuttings is one of those gardening tasks that feels incredibly rewarding. Not only do you get more lavender plants for free, but you also get to experience the joy of nurturing something from a tiny cutting to a thriving plant. Watching them grow is a reminder of the beauty and simplicity of nature.
So, if you’ve ever wanted to grow more lavender in your garden, give propagation a go. It’s a straightforward process, and once you’ve successfully grown your first batch of lavender from cuttings, I guarantee you’ll want to do it again and again. Plus, there’s nothing better than sharing a home-grown lavender plant with a friend—it’s like giving them a little piece of your garden to take home.