Question

Can my poor lavender be saved? I have another one in the same condition. I know nothing about plants  or how to keep them flourishing obviously!  

Answer 1

FYI all, I have a fully thriving 3 year old son. So I’m not completely useless and irresponsible  

Comments

@megdal48287 hi Laura, don't be put off by ignorant people on here, they are a minority! This is a fab site n most people are very helpful, good on ya for trying to save your plants, we bought one last year, reduced, in Asda, in exactly the same condition as yours, it had been in the full Sun for too long, we took it from its pot n soaked it, then give it some plant food, it was well worth saving, its beautiful now,  

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@carniola aww bless you. I only posted in case they were playing dead and I could save them. I’ll move them into my garden then  I’ll get some new ones for the front of my house and hope for the best. Unless you can recommend another lovely smelling flower and I can pot instead? They’re either side of my front door. Slightly hardy as I do forget to water etc. Thanks for your message. X

Answer 2

No it's dead unfortunately  they like full sun lots of drainage and not much water xx

Comments

@direction well it’s in the sun constantly. Can’t say I water it a lot. There’s stones in the soil and what I’d say is appropriate drainage holes in the pot. Doh!  

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@megdal48287 better luck next time mate . they grow really fast so I'm sure the next you will be more successful with. Remember 888 Cut back on the 8th day of the 8th month to 8 inches. Fail safe method for stunning lavender plants xx

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@direction oooo this is completely new information. Thank you kindly. So when you say cutting back to 8 inches. Cutting the heads off completely?  

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Actually re reading it it seems like a riddle. Is it the 8th month from when re potted ? And is this an annual thing?  

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@megdal48287 no just cut them back on the 8th august every year to keep them healthy. Cutting back in august give them enough time to grow new shoots and protect itself from frost. Xx

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If it's a new small plant just leave it the first year though as you can cut it back that much xx

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@megdal48287 yeah you cut the heads back every branch. you can leave it a few more weeks if it's still in full bloom though or you forget but definitely before September xx

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Thank you very much. Will use that knowledge now. X

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@megdal48287 welcome  

Answer 3

Oh my  

Answer 4

Looks pretty dead.  

Answer 5

thanks guys. Will buy some new ones.  

Answer 6

Looks dead to me but you could try cutting right down. just in case!  

Comments

@boisvert655 I wasn’t sure if it was just “playing” dead and I could salvage it with a hack. Will be purchasing some new ones.  

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@megdal48287 cut it right back to see if there’s any living wood. Doesn’t look like there is but it’s worth a try.  

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@boisvert655 Roger.  

Answer 7

Try potting in to the garden not in pot

Comments

@lustihood2245 I have the two pots either side of my door as when in bloom, it smelt delightful. My lavender in my back garden is doing lovely. Just need to perfect keeping them alive in a pot ‍♀️

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Put lots of grit in the pots hun with the compost as they like well drained soil. And make sure the pots have drainage holes so they don't get water logged Good luck with your new ones

Answer 8

Looks like mine - dead too! Is is French lavender? English lavender is hardier.  

Comments

@merovingian Yes French lavender. I was wondering what would be hardier. But I love the aesthetics of French more.  

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Me too. And the scent - English lavender always smells of cat wee to me. But they do seem to be a lot harder to keep alive.  

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@merovingian I actually couldn’t agree more with the scent! I’ve got the pots either side of my front door - so English lavedar was hardly a welcoming scent!  

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I only know one other person who thinks that - most people look at me as if I've got two heads when I say it! It's supposedly a genetic trait, in the same way as tasting cucumber. My OH loves lavender but I can't bear it. We compromised with the French at the front, but I think I'll have to get him some English now.  

Answer 9

Check flower heads before you chuck it though for seeds x

Answer 10

I THINK you've killed it. Break a piece off and see if there's any green inside. If it snaps off and breaks easily then DEFINITELY gone.  

Answer 11

Mine seemed dead when I planted it into the garden. seems to be making a comeback though!  

Answer 12

English lavender, there are different varities, ours is grey stems and leaves and smells amazing when its in flower

Answer 13

Its deceased  

Answer 14

Cut back hard and hope for the best. They normally need cutting back around 08. 08 or something like that. Mine is picking up lovely again.  

Answer 15

Take some the flowers and rub them I'm your hands might get some seeds then all is not lost but if no seeds its fucked.  

Answer 16

Definitely not too far gone

Answer 17

Doesn't look like it.  

Answer 18

Pots too small they are a woody plant so like moisture

Answer 19

It's French lavender which often doesn't overwinter due to the damp in UK winters.  

Answer 20

I had one that I thought was totally gone so I cut it right back plonked it in the garden and forgot about it and its looking good again. Loads of flowers on it.  

Answer 21

Cut it back give it water and wait!  

Comments

@mattos will I be waiting a long time is the question  

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@megdal48287 Well a few weeks

Answer 22

Try pruning it seriously pruning some that works.