Our lavender bush is one of the most beautiful plants on our entire property. It has the most fantastic lavender scent and attracts hoards of bees each season. Over the years, we have taken starts to grow additional plants all over our property as well as gift out to friends and family. Late spring is the only time of year that we are able to take new starts, so we are sure to get plenty each time. Usually around mid-May is when we’ve been able to get the best starts and they seem to take off immediately.

When the lavender starts to grow after being dormant, it produces tender shoots that emerge from the older woody part of the plant. These are what you want to snip off to create new plants. The shoots that we take are about 4-6inches and are only of the tender new growth. We remove all leaves about two inches up from the bottom of the shoot and plant directly into the dirt. We use regular dirt from the garden and plant about 6-8 shoots for each 1-gallon pot. After planting, we leave the pots in the shade for a day or two before leaving in the direct sun for the season. The shoots start to produce new leaves and also start growing taller in about 4 weeks.

If you live in a temperate climate you can plant your new lavender plants in the fall. However, if you live where it freezes in the winter you will want to overwinter your new starts in a protected place such as a porch or patio. Be sure to continue watering as necessary throughout the winter. If you live where it really freezes hard, you may want to bring the plants inside for the winter or wrap them with an insulating material such as burlap or bubble wrap.