How to Grow Lavender in Pots: A Complete Beginner’s Guide

Lavender is one of the most rewarding herbs to grow—beautiful, fragrant, and surprisingly easy to maintain in containers. Whether you live in a small apartment or want to decorate a sunny patio, potted lavender is a low-maintenance option that thrives in the right conditions.

In this article, you’ll learn exactly how to grow and care for lavender in pots, from soil mix to sunlight, watering, and pruning.

Why Grow Lavender in Pots?

• Easy to move indoors during winter

• Controls root spread and prevents overgrowth

• Ideal for balconies, patios, or windowsills

• Provides fresh cuttings for tea, oil, or decoration

Pots also help prevent one of lavender’s biggest enemies: root rot from poor drainage.

Best Lavender Varieties for Containers

• English lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) – Cold-hardy and compact

• French lavender (Lavandula dentata) – More ornamental, heat-tolerant

• Lavandin (Lavandula x intermedia) – Bigger, great for fragrance

Choose dwarf or compact types for small containers.

Choosing the Right Pot and Soil

• Container: At least 12 inches wide with drainage holes

• Material: Terracotta or ceramic preferred (drains better than plastic)

• Soil:

  • 2 parts potting soil

  • 1 part coarse sand or perlite

  • Optional: A handful of crushed eggshells for calcium

Avoid moisture-retaining soil or compost-heavy mixes.

Light and Water Requirements

• Sun: 6–8 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Water:

  • Water deeply but only when the top 1–2 inches of soil are dry

  • Never let the pot sit in water

  • Reduce watering in winter (if indoors)

Too much water is the most common reason lavender fails.

Fertilizing and Feeding

• Feed sparingly—lavender doesn’t like rich soil

• Use a diluted organic fertilizer once a month during spring and summer

• Avoid nitrogen-heavy products (they encourage weak, leggy growth)

Pruning and Maintenance

• Lightly prune in spring to shape and remove winter damage

• Hard prune after flowering to encourage dense regrowth

• Don’t cut into old wood—it won’t recover

Keep the plant well-aerated and remove faded flowers to prolong blooming.

Winter Care Tips

• Move pots indoors or into a greenhouse if you live in zones below 5

• Reduce watering to once every few weeks

• Place in a bright, cool room with good airflow

If outdoors, insulate pots with bubble wrap or mulch.