Not everyone has a large backyard where they can engage in gardening. But a beautiful potted garden can also be created in the middle of a big city or on the fifth floor of an apartment building - all you need is a balcony. The frugal lavender also feels very comfortable in the bucket, provided it is spacious enough.
Pot lavender
Once you've bought young lavender plants, it's best to transplant them as soon as possible. The roots need a lot of space because they branch out widely and, above all, grow deep. Therefore, choose a pot that is not only wide, but also as deep as possible. The plant pot should have a drainage hole at the bottom through which excess irrigation water can drain. In addition, if possible, opt for a pot made of clay or ceramic, as the water can evaporate from this material - it remains "locked up" in a plastic pot, so there is a risk of waterlogging. At the bottom of the pot is a layer of broken pottery, gravel, pebbles or expanded clay, (19.73€) and only then a substrate suitable for lavender. This should be as sandy as possible and contain few nutrients. Plant the lavender in there and then water it well, but later it will need less water.
Suitable varieties for container keeping
Different lavender varieties can reach very different heights. Which type you choose depends primarily on the available space. The low-growing lavender varieties are particularly suitable for balcony planting, but with a correspondingly large pot, the spike lavender, which can be up to one meter high, will also feel at home with you.
Cultivate potted lavender
In terms of care, pot lavender is a bit more demanding than the garden lavender that is planted out and is more or less self-sufficient. Above all, you have to make sure that there is no waterlogging - this is deadly for the lavender - but also that the plant is not too dry, especially on hot days. Water regularly, but with sensitivity - if your lavender turns brown, you have definitely done something wrong and need to investigate the cause. In addition, the plants should be pruned once or twice a year and repotted at least once a year.
Overwinter lavender in a bucket
How you overwinter your potted lavender depends primarily on the variety and secondarily on the weather conditions on your balcony. The only hardy lavender is Lavandula angustifolia, the true lavender, which comes in many different varieties and flower colors. All other varieties are hardy to the maximum, but should not overwinter outdoors. We recommend a cool but frost-free hibernation at about 10 to 12 °C - for example in a little heated bedroom or in a bright stairwell.
tips and tricks
Although the potted plant can be described as very easy to care for, the Mediterranean resident is not suitable for keeping indoors. At least in winter, lavender wants to hibernate cool and bright - it doesn't like a heated living room at all during the cold season.
IJA