The sea lavender (Limonium) is colloquially referred to as sea lavender, as it often grows wild in coastal locations where it defies strong winds and poor living conditions. Since it copes better with drought than with waterlogging, it can be planted well in the garden in dry locations in full sun.

Due to its deep roots, sea lavender rarely needs to be watered

How often should the sea lavender be watered?

Over time, the sea lavender forms very deep taproots, so that it can get the moisture it needs from deeper layers of the earth during dry phases. Older specimens therefore only need additional watering at all in exceptional cases of extreme drought. On the other hand, young plants and sea lavender in pots should be watered regularly every few days when it is hot and dry.

When can Limonium be transplanted?

The specimens of the Limonium genus, which includes more than 300 species and are sold in specialist garden shops, are ideally planted out in the garden in spring. Young plants grown from seeds or root cuttings should (if necessary) not be planted out too late in the autumn so that they are sufficiently hardy without winter protection.

When and how should the sea lavender be cut?

In autumn, the sea lavender is cut back completely to near the ground so that it can sprout unhindered in spring. Since the inflorescences fade only a little after being cut and dried, they are often cut off in the summer and dried for use in dried bouquets.

Is the sea lavender threatened by diseases or pests?

The sea lavender is usually extremely resistant to diseases and pests. Deficiency symptoms can result from root rot if the sea lavender is exposed to constant waterlogging with its roots. Prevent this danger in wet locations with heavy soil by using a drainage layer in the planting hole. Plant pots with sea lavender should have drainage holes at the bottom.

When and with what should the sea lavender be fertilized?

The sea lavender requires very little nutrients and can therefore cope well with poor soils. In spring, if necessary, a little compost or complete fertilizer can be used to provide additional nutrients. In autumn, on the other hand, there should be no fertilization so that the plants can switch from the growth phase to hibernation in good time.

How can the sea lavender be overwintered easily?

If your sea lavender is not freshly grown seedlings, it is hardy in the field to around minus 30 degrees Celsius without any problems. However, winter protection can be appropriate in the following cases:

  • Frostbite (if necessary, water on frost-free days)
  • Sea lavender in a pot (pack with fleece or bubble wrap)
  • late sown seedlings

On wet hillsides, a winter cover with a layer of leaves can help drain off excess rainwater.

tips

The sea lavender can be propagated relatively easily via root cuttings. To do this, simply cut off about 5 centimeters long root pieces from an older specimen (after carefully digging them up) and place them in a plant pot with loose, lean substrate.

Category:

Herbs