To understand our watering needs, you must first understand where we come from. We lavender plants are natives of the dry, rocky, sun-baked hills of the Mediterranean region. Our roots are evolutionarily designed to thrive in conditions of high light, excellent drainage, and, most importantly, infrequent water. Our fuzzy leaves and stems are not just for your sensory pleasure; they are a protective coating to reduce moisture loss. Our fundamental request is to emulate our native habitat. Overwatering is the single greatest threat to our health, as it leads to root rot and fungal diseases, from which we rarely recover.
When you first plant us in your garden, we require a different watering regimen to help our root systems settle into their new home. During this initial establishment period (the first few months after planting), you should water us more frequently. The goal is to keep the soil slightly moist but never soggy to encourage our roots to grow outward and downward. This might mean watering us deeply once or twice a week, depending on your local climate and weather. Always check the soil about an inch below the surface; if it is dry, it is time for a drink. Once we are well-established (usually after the first full growing season), we become incredibly drought-tolerant and require much less attention.
For a mature plant, the golden rule is deep, infrequent watering. We far prefer a long, slow soak that penetrates deep into the soil, encouraging our roots to grow deep and strong, over frequent, shallow sprinklings that leave our roots weak and confined to the surface. In most US climates, once we are established, we will be perfectly happy with a deep watering every two to three weeks. During periods of extreme heat or prolonged drought, you may need to increase this to once every one to two weeks. It is always better to err on the side of underwatering. Our leaves will often show signs of slight wilting in intense afternoon heat; this is normal. If we are still wilted in the cool of the morning, that is a more reliable sign we need water.
Our watering schedule is meaningless without the correct soil conditions. We insist on exceptionally well-draining soil. Heavy, clay-based soils that retain water are a death sentence for us. If your native soil is not suitable, you must amend it generously with coarse sand, gravel, perlite, or small pebbles to create a gritty, loose mix. Many gardeners choose to plant us in raised beds or mounds to further enhance drainage. The pot we live in must have large, unobstructed drainage holes, and a cactus/succulent potting mix is far superior to a standard potting soil. Proper drainage ensures that even if you accidentally overwater, the excess moisture will quickly flee from our root zone.
Your local climate within the United States dictates necessary adjustments. In the arid, hot Southwest, our water needs may be slightly higher than the baseline, but the well-draining soil rule is even more critical. In the humid Southeast or Pacific Northwest, natural rainfall often provides more than enough moisture, and you must be extremely vigilant to ensure we are not sitting in constant dampness. Seasonal changes are also key. We require the most water during our active growing and blooming season in the spring and summer. In the fall, you should gradually reduce watering to allow us to harden off for winter. During the winter, we are dormant and require very little to no supplemental water, especially if the ground is frozen or receives regular rain or snow.
