Especially the large-growing lavender varieties quickly overgrow the space allotted to them and spread out in the garden. Many a desperate gardener comes up with the idea of dividing the lavender that has grown too big. But be careful: Especially with older, woody plants, dividing can cause great damage and lead to the death of the lavender.

Pruning lavender is better than dividing it

Lavender does not belong to the perennials - which are divisible - but to the shrubs. The plant becomes lignified with age and usually no longer sprout from this old wood - for this reason you should never cut lavender back too far. A lavender that is several years old and has grown too big should be cut back drastically. You can prune the plant by half, but only cut away soft shoots if possible. With a neat, round topiary, you can also reduce the width of the plant.

Divide oversized lavender

If pruning does not help or if the lavender is clearly too extensive, you can still try a division. However, you should proceed carefully and, above all, avoid damaging any roots, otherwise the plant will die. However, this measure is usually no longer possible with heavily woody lavender plants. Proceed as follows when dividing:

  • Dig up the lavender to be divided, including the root ball.
  • If possible, do not damage any roots.
  • Younger plants usually survive a division better.
  • Look closely at the plant and determine the best way to cut it.
  • Cut through the lavender along this path with a sharp and clean knife.
  • Don't prune the taproot.
  • Do not touch the interfaces with your fingers and seal them with a tree sap.
  • Otherwise, pathogens or fungi can enter and cause infection.

It is better not to divide lavender for propagation

If you only want to multiply your lavender, division is too risky and therefore unsuitable. Cuttings or sinkers are much better suited for propagation, although some types of lavender, such as the sterile Lavandin, can actually only be multiplied using these methods. The right time for the cuttings is spring (no more frosts should be expected) and early summer.

tips and tricks

Not all lavender varieties can be propagated from seeds. Only the real lavender often sows itself and becomes natural in this way.

IJA

Category:

Herbs