Lavender no longer just adorns our gardens, but also pots and flower boxes on balconies and terraces. The plant feels at home anywhere with proper care and plenty of sun. You have now got your new plants through the hot summer wonderfully. So far so good. But how do you actually overwinter lavender? To what extent is this beautiful plant hardy and what are the differences between the specimens in the bed and those in plant containers? We explain what you need to consider if you want to overwinter lavender.
Is lavender hardy?
Can you overwinter lavender? In principle, they are all more or less hardy, even though it comes from the mild Mediterranean region. But whether and how you need to support them over the winter depends on the variety. There are those that can easily withstand frost, but also those that need winter protection or even winter quarters. For this reason, you should find out what type of lavender yours is after purchasing it. The most popular variety is probably real lavender (Lavandula angustifolia). This is suitable for the garden as well as for pots etc. and is therefore the most common.
When is it time for wintering?
Your plants, whether in beds or pots, can stay outside as long as there is no impending frost. However, as soon as the first frost is expected at night, the hardy varieties have to be protected outside, while the sensitive varieties have to go into winter quarters beforehand. It's best to follow the weather forecast to find the right time.
How to prepare and protect the plant
Overwintering lavender – cut back or not?
You should prune the lavender before overwintering. But this happensno wayonly in autumn, because then the plant no longer has enough time to mature and is damaged by frost. When should you cut the lavender?
The lastCutting takes place in summer, early August. If you missed it, it's better to leave it alone and wait until spring. Even if the plant suffers frostbite despite all measures, do not remove the affected parts of the plant immediately, but only with the standard cut in spring.
Lavender overwinter in pots
Non-hardy species definitely need cool winter quarters to survive. More robust versions can also be left outside with the right protection (5 to 15 degrees are the optimal temperatures). If you would like to overwinter lavender in a pot, you must first choose the right flower pot because it can have both a protective and the opposite effect. Drainage holes are particularly important so that excess water that could freeze can drain out.
But the material can also help with winter protection. Terracotta is preferable because it has the practical property of absorbing excess moisture from the substrate so that the substrate is not too wet. Either way, the container still needs to be packed. Bubble wrap is ideal and is then wrapped with burlap or fleece. A pad can also come in handy. Styrofoam, wood or an insulating mat are well suited.
The right location to overwinter lavender in a pot
Varieties that are sufficiently robust to be able to spend the winter outside with only winter protection need adequate space for this purpose. This is absolutely protected from the wind, which you can best achieve by placing the bucket against a house wall. Although the plant needs a lot of sun in the warm season, this is not the case in winter. On the contrary: full sun can cause the plant to die. Therefore, choose partial shade and make sure that as little snow can fall on the pot as possible.
In summary:
- dry location
- protected from (east) winds
- on the house wall
Lavender care in winter
How should you care for the plant if you...Lavender in a potoverwinter? All you need to do is water it every now and then to keep the root ball from drying out. You should definitely avoid too much water, as this increases the risk that the substrate will freeze. The latter can only be tolerated and survived by the plant if the soil is at least airy and sufficient, but nottois dry.
A notice:Proceed in the same way if you want to overwinter lavender in the flower box on the balcony.
Protect garden lavender properly in winter
If you want to overwinter lavender outside, choosing the right location before planting is of great importance (after all, you cannot transplant the plant before winter). This must be protected from the wind. Additionally, mulch the plant to protect it from both frost and strong sun. For example, use brushwood or leaves for this. If a longer period with temperatures below minus 15 degrees is imminent, it is also recommended to additionally cover the above-ground parts of the plant with garden fleece. Coconut mats also provide good thermal insulation.
If you overwinter lavender outdoors, watering only needs to be done when necessary. Nature usually provides sufficient moisture during this period to get the plant through the winter. If a longer dry period occurs, you can moisten the soil a little. Even with lavender in the garden, it is important not to overdo it and also to choose a frost-free day for this purpose. Otherwise, the roots could freeze and become damaged.
