When the lavender turns brown and looks dried up, many gardeners reflexively reach for the watering can. However, this can lead to the death of the plant, because the Mediterranean shrub can dry up for two reasons: On the one hand, because it was not watered enough and also because the roots rot due to too frequent and incorrect watering. Therefore, you should first investigate the causes and only then take the appropriate measures.
Dryness due to insufficient water
In our latitudes, it rarely happens that lavender dries up due to a drought. Garden plants are less endangered in summer, as they develop a broad and deep root network that is able to get the moisture they need from the ground even in hot summers. Nevertheless, you should keep a close eye on your planted lavender during longer dry periods: if the plants let their leaves droop, it's time for a torrent from the watering can. Potted lavender is much more at risk from drying out and actually needs to be watered regularly - but only if the soil has already dried out on the surface.
Lavender dries up, especially in winter
However, lavender does not dry up - as one might expect - only in hot summer, but especially in winter. In particular, the combination of sun and frost endangers the plants, as the sun allows the necessary moisture to evaporate before the leaves can absorb it. However, you should only water if the ground is not frozen through.
Drought caused by waterlogging
Far more often than too little, lavender dries up because of too much water. At first glance, this seems absurd - after all, how can a plant dry up even though it is being watered? The solution to the riddle is as follows: Too much water and waterlogging cause root rot, which means that the roots can no longer absorb enough water or can transfer it to the parts of the plant above ground. The result is that the lavender dries up at the top, even though the roots are literally drowned. The plants can sometimes be saved by repotting or transplanting them.
check stems
But how do you recognize which form of drought it is? This is relatively easy to determine by looking closely at a few stems and carving them. If the lavender has dried out due to too little water, the stems will also be brown on the inside. If, on the other hand, there is root rot, the stems are often still green inside.
tips and tricks
Although lavender needs little water, freshly planted bushes should still be watered more regularly and, above all, directly at the root. Their roots have not yet been able to anchor themselves sufficiently in the ground and are therefore not properly able to absorb sufficient moisture.
IJA