Tips on growing Lavender?

[iolite]

Does anyone have any tips on growing lavender (both indoors and out)? I have a few packets of seed, but i want to try to grow one over the winter indoors. I know a key to lavender is patience -- my mom's seed batch took almost a month to get a decent size. I had bought a couple of small lavender plants last year from a nursery that offered different varieties, but I gave those up to my mom after they started to wither (I'm so jealous of her green thumb lol). I really would love to keep a lavender plant in the room during the bleak winter, though. So if anyone has tips, please tell me them. (:

[Astara Seague]

personally I have never had much luck with seeds or small plants of lavender
I ended up buying a rather large one {gallon size} and planted it out doors and its been fine,
the one trick I did learn is do not baby it.. it likes to be mistreated
and definatly do not over water it!

[Saphirelover]

The best way to take care of lavender is to not take care of it.
Lavender needs a very dry, sunny spot. It doesn't like to be watered much, and it requires dry, sandy soil. If you have clay soil then lavender won't grow well because it will hold too much water and get root rot. It also likes plenty of space.
I have no tips for growing it indoors though :P

[vikinggoddess]

Water is ok, but it needs very good drainage. Don't put a catch plate for water under the pot.

[miredsylph]

I overwintered my lavender this past year, and it thrived (gasp!) so I'll tell you what I did and hope it helps. Find the window in your home that gets the most sun all the time, and put the lavender in that window. Make sure that the soil in your pot is loose and sandy, and the roots aren't too crowded. Water when the soil is dry to the touch; if you run forced air heat, that could be once a week or every few days. Don't, and I repeat, DON'T, water the leaves! lavender does not like to be wet, so water at the base of the plant. If you aren't getting enough light, go to Wallymart, get a plant bulb and a clip on lamp, and clip it in the window your lavender lives in. Turn it on in the morning when you go to work and turn it off when you get home. Last, make sure the air moves, at least a little bit. This is not just healthy for the lavender, but for you too! Good luck.

[Nitefalle]

I will also add that lavender likes alkaline soil and shells are good for it. Shrimp skins, oyster shells, etc will make your lavender happy.

I understand that lavender is one of the most difficult herbs to grow from seed. My best friend managed to do it but hers took about two years to actually flower so don't become discouraged if you don't get the classic lavender buds the first year.

[dragenfly]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lavender

I love Lavender but I hate to grow it. I'm so terrified of BEE'S and it seems to attract hundreds!

[~*Sacred*~]

Great tips. Maybe this time (I dunno...5th try now?) I won't kill it...

[LadyDryad]

I love growing lavender, but it took me several years before I could proudly say that this is "last year's lavender!!"

One thing I've found is that if you've got it in pots, make sure the pot is big enough. It does not enjoy being crammed into a smaller pot like some plants do.

Also, I only water mine when it starts to wilt...overwatering has killed more lavender plants of mine than I'll ever admit!

If you're growing it outside, I have had the best results in part shade. That way it gets sun and gets warmed up, but can also chill in the shade.

[Morganite9Violet]

I had lavender seeds but they failed to germinate so then I bought plants
I have plants in the garden and a few lavender plants in terracotta pots on the patio depends on weather but water sparingly. Mine are an english variety.