how to divide a lavender plant

Daniel Parker

3 min read

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17-01-2025

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Lavender is a beloved herb, prized for its fragrant flowers and calming properties. But over time, your lavender plant may become overcrowded, leading to reduced flowering and overall health. Dividing your lavender plant is a simple and effective way to rejuvenate it, creating more plants while improving the health of the mother plant. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the process, ensuring you successfully divide your lavender and enjoy its beauty for years to come.

Why Divide Lavender?

Before diving into the how-to, let's understand why dividing your lavender is beneficial. Over time, lavender plants can become woody and congested at the center. This crowding can lead to:

• Reduced flowering: Less air circulation and competition for resources hinder flower production.
• Poor air circulation: Increased susceptibility to fungal diseases and pests.
• Weakened plants: Overall plant health deteriorates due to stress.

Dividing your lavender solves these problems by creating more space for each individual plant to thrive. You'll end up with multiple healthy lavender plants, and the original plant will also benefit from the rejuvenation.

When to Divide Lavender

The best time to divide your lavender plant is in spring or early fall. This allows the divided plants sufficient time to establish themselves before the extreme heat of summer or the harsh cold of winter. Avoid dividing during the hottest part of the summer or during periods of frost.

Tools You'll Need

Before you begin, gather the necessary tools to make the process smooth and efficient:

• Sharp shovel or spade: To carefully dig up the lavender plant.
• Garden fork: To gently loosen the soil around the roots.
• Pruning shears or sharp knife: To cut the lavender plant into sections.
• Gloves: To protect your hands from thorns and soil.
• New pots or planting holes: For your newly divided lavender plants.
• Well-draining potting mix (if potting): Lavender prefers well-drained soil.

How to Divide a Lavender Plant: A Step-by-Step Guide

Now, let's get started with the division process:

Step 1: Prepare the Plant

Water the lavender plant thoroughly a day before dividing. This will make it easier to dig up without damaging the roots.

Step 2: Dig Up the Plant

Carefully dig around the perimeter of the lavender plant, keeping a distance of about 12-18 inches from the base. Use a garden fork to loosen the soil gently. Avoid damaging the roots as much as possible.

Step 3: Lift and Separate

Once the lavender plant is loose, gently lift it from the ground. Examine the root system. You might need to use your hands or a garden fork to gently separate the roots into smaller sections. Each section should have a good amount of healthy roots and several stems.

Step 4: Divide the Plant

Use your pruning shears or a sharp knife to divide the plant into smaller sections. Each section should have a healthy root system and several stems. Aim for sections that are roughly the same size.

Step 5: Replant or Pot

Plant the divided sections in new pots or planting holes. Ensure the planting holes are well-drained. If potting, use a well-draining potting mix. Water thoroughly after planting.

Step 6: Aftercare

Water regularly, especially during dry periods. Avoid overwatering, as this can lead to root rot. Mulch around the base of the plants to help retain moisture and suppress weeds.

Troubleshooting Common Problems

Problem: The lavender plant is very woody and difficult to divide. Solution: You may need to use a sharp saw to cut through the woody parts of the plant.

Problem: Some sections of the plant don’t have many roots. Solution: Be patient and focus on getting healthy sections. These sections may take longer to establish themselves.

Problem: The divided plants are not thriving. Solution: Make sure the soil is well-drained and that you are not overwatering.

By following these steps, you can successfully divide your lavender plant, creating more fragrant plants to enjoy. Remember to be gentle, patient, and provide proper aftercare to ensure your lavender thrives. Happy gardening!