Stately, stable and robust, sea lavender greens sunny locations with poor soil. Little care is required for the delicate clouds of blossoms to unfold magnificently. The following answers to frequently asked questions convey what is necessary to enjoy the Mediterranean flair of sea lavender.

Sea lavender thrives not only on the beach but also in the home garden

Table of Contents

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  1. Plant sea lavender correctly
  2. care tips
  3. Which location is suitable?
  4. The right planting distance
  5. What soil does the plant need?
  6. When is flowering time?
  7. Properly cut sea lavender
  8. Water sea lavender
  9. Fertilize sea lavender properly
  10. hibernate
  11. Propagating sea lavender
  12. Which types of sea lavender thrive in the garden?

    13. Plant sea lavender correctly

    Ready-made Limonium or Limonium that you have brought up yourself want to go into the ground from the beginning of May. So that the mighty taproot can spread quickly there, the lean, sandy-loamy soil is deeply loosened and weeded at the sunny location. Create a spacious planting pit at a distance of 35-40 cm from the bed neighbors. On this occasion, loamy soil is enriched with sand or fine grit.(46.95€) Do not plant the potted sea lavender deeper than it was cultivated in the seed pot.
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    care tips

    The need for care of sea lavender is at its maximum level immediately after planting and later tends towards zero. Since young Limonium move into the garden with a fairly high water requirement, they receive frequent visitors with the watering can in the first few weeks. In the further course, the rain takes over this work. The entire care program at a glance:

    • Water the sea lavender only when it is dry in summer
    • In poor soil apply a start fertilizing in May
    • Alternatively, incorporate some compost every 30 days from May to August
    • Rinse faded flowers repeatedly
    • Cut back to ground level in autumn
    • During winter drought, water a little on frost-free days

    In regions with harsh winters, cover the planting site with brushwood or leaves to protect the root ball from excess moisture. If Limonium thrives in pots, place the pot in a frost-free room throughout the winter and water occasionally to keep the root ball from drying out.
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    Which location is suitable?

    A location in full sun is very much to the liking of Limonium species. The sun worshipers don't give up even during summer heatwaves. Thanks to their stability, sea lavenders keep their upright posture even when a strong wind blows. Sea lavender unfolds this floral power in lean, calcareous and sandy-dry soil.

    The right planting distance

    The clump-like and bushy sprawling habit of sea lavender requires an appropriate planting distance of 35 to 40 cm. Compact species, such as North African sea lavender, come into their own at a distance of 30 cm from their bed neighbours.

    What soil does the plant need?

    Sea lavender not only supplies the most beautiful dried flowers for your bouquets and arrangements. At the same time, the frugal perennial acts as a problem solver for locations with lean, sandy-dry soil. In addition, the soil for sea lavender can be calcareous, as is the case in a gravel bed or rock garden. Limonium thrives in pots in common potting soil that is enriched with sand and rock flour (€14.13).

    When is flowering time?

    The plant family provides us with magnificent species and differing flowering times. While the popular broad-leaved sea lavender spreads its flower clouds from May to July, the steppe veil sea-lavender is just getting ready for a flowering period from July to August. The flower festival is topped off by the winged sea lavender, which blooms without interruption from May to September.

    Properly cut sea lavender

    The fragrant inflorescences on wiry stems above the leathery to coarse leaves qualify sea lavender as a premium supplier of dried flowers. Therefore, the perennial is cut during the flowering period for this purpose exactly when the flowers have just opened. If you want to enjoy the maritime flair all summer long, regularly cut out faded flowers. Then, in the fall, prune the entire perennial to just above ground level and spread a layer of leaves or sticks over it.

    Water sea lavender

    Once a sea lavender has firmly rooted itself in the bed, the additional water supply takes a back seat. In the Central European climate, the perennial is content with the natural rainfall. If the leaves are hanging down, sea lavender signals the need for watering. This exceptional case can occur during periods of summer drought. In pot culture, the substrate dries out more quickly. Check moisture levels with your finger every few days to water when the soil has dried out.

    Fertilize sea lavender properly

    Last but not least, sea lavender demonstrates its puristic character in terms of nutrient supply. A one-off start fertilization with complete fertilizer in May covers the energy requirement. In the near-natural garden, we recommend adding compost with horn shavings (€32.93) every 30 days from May to August. If a sea lavender is resplendent in a pot, spoil the perennial every 4 weeks from May to August with a liquid fertilizer for flowering plants.

    hibernate

    The majority of Limonium species are hardy, so they thrive in our gardens for several years. The sea lavender should be protected from less biting frost than permanent winter wet. Thus, we recommend spreading a layer of twigs or foliage after sea lavender has received its autumn pruning. Cut back potted plants close to the ground and carry them to a frost-free winter quarters.

    Propagating sea lavender

    The uncomplicated cultivation of sea lavender continues seamlessly with propagation. There are the following two procedures that have proven themselves in the hobby garden.

    sowing

    • Fill small pots with peat sand in February/March
    • Sow 2-3 seeds at a time and sieve over three times the seed strength
    • Moisten with a fine shower, put a plastic bag over it and place it by the window

    At 15-18 degrees Celsius, germination begins within 12-20 days. When seedlings with 2 pairs of leaves have developed, they are pricked out in individual pots and cared for until planting in May.

    root cuttings

    • In April/May, dig up a sea lavender that is at least 3 years old
    • Cut off a maximum of one third of the length from the root
    • Cut this piece of root into approx. 5 cm long segments

    Plant the root cuttings in small pots with potting soil, where they quickly root in the partially shaded location. Alternatively, simply stick the cuttings into the loose soil in the sunny location so that they root in place.

    Which types of sea lavender thrive in the garden?

    The large Limonium family consists of more than 350 species, of which only a few have become established as ornamental plants. We have compiled a selection of the most beautiful sea lavender for you here:

    • Broad-leaved Sea Lavender (Limonium latifolium): Light violet flowers from May to July above broad leaves
    • Winged Sea Lavender (Limonium sinuatum): Pink, yellow or white flowers on winged stems from May to September
    • Sea lavender (Limonium gmelinii): Reddish to purple panicles of flowers from July to August
    • Bicolored sea lavender (Limonium brassicifolium): Blue calyxes end in a white corolla
    • North African sea lavender (Limonium bonduellei): Impresses with yellow flowers and compact growth

    These sea lavender species are - in contrast to numerous conspecifics - all hardy, so that they thrive as perennial perennials in the garden.

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Herbs