The lavender. The aroma and distinctive flowers are an essential component of any herb garden. The Mediterranean plant from the mint family (bot. Lamiaceae) was already used in Roman times for the production of soap and is not only kept in the garden today. Due to their robust growth, Lavandula species can easily be grown on the balcony if there is enough sun. But how does lavender overwinter when kept in a bucket or pot?
Hardy species
Which lavender species are hardy?
Before the winter protection is described, it is important to know which types of lavender are sensitive to frost or can easily cope with the local temperatures over the winter. This is important because it is the only way you can determine how effective the winter protection needs to be. Since lavender hibernates differently on the balcony than in the bed, the individual species must be compared with each other so that the wrong winter protection is not accidentally chosen. The species listed below should be mentioned.
Common lavender (bot. Lavandula angustifolia)
Lavandula angustifolia is the classic type of lavender that can be easily grown and kept in Central Europe. This is an almost hardy species, able to withstand temperatures as low as -15°C and even endure prolonged periods of frost with the right winter protection. In addition, this species is extremely robust and can easily be kept on the balcony in the bucket of the pot. Hibernation turns out to be the easiest for this taxon and there is no problem, especially in milder regions of Germany. Even snow-free winters down to -40°C can be survived as long as the location is right.
Lavender in the garden
Woolly lavender (bot. Lavandula lanata)
Lavandula lanata is suitable for keeping over the winter, but compared to Lavandula angustifolia, it only tolerates temperatures down to -10°C for short periods. However, the "woolly" is very sensitive to frost when the temperature fluctuates around freezing point and therefore needs a dry location above all so that it can survive the winter. Sufficient winter protection is required here.
French lavender (bot. Lavandula stoechas)
Like Lavandula lanata, the French lavender is quite sensitive to frost and can withstand temperatures down to -10°C, but only for a short time. For this reason, it also needs winter protection with quite high temperatures so that it can last until next year.
Broadleaf Lavender (bot. Lavandula latifolia)
Lavandula latifolia is also known as spike lavender and only withstands temperatures down to -5°C. Nevertheless, you can get it through the winter without hesitation if you choose the right winter protection.
Lavandin (bot. Lavandula × intermedia)
This hybrid is a popular hybrid of Lavandula latifolia and Lavandula angustifolia. This one withstands frost better than the other species, but not as well as true lavender. It can overwinter at an average of -10°C, but lower temperatures are also possible if the outdoor location is right.
Tip: Lavandula dentata, the French lavender, is not included in the above list because, like many other Lavandula species, this species can only be grown as an annual plant in Germany. The plant with its blue-violet flowers is only found in warm areas of the western Mediterranean and is therefore not used to the winter at home.
French lavender, Lavandula stoechas
wintering
On the balcony
Of the species mentioned above, only real lavender and lavandin are actually suitable for keeping in buckets on the balcony. If you want to safely overwinter the taxa, you can easily use your balcony with the two species. Winter protection is essential here, because when kept in a bucket, no moisture is drawn out of the ground and the substrate can freeze quickly. Important before wintering are the following points, which you should definitely consider.
planter
The bucket you choose can either clog the lavender or get the plant through the winter ideally. The material is important when choosing the bucket. Terracotta pots have proven to be particularly effective because they absorb excess moisture and store it in the material. As a result, the substrate is not too wet over the winter. In addition, the plant pot must have drainage holes so that no water collects in the pot.
location
The location must be well chosen, because too much sun can mean the end of the lavender.
Choose a location that is:
- semi-shady
- sheltered from the wind
- if possible, free of snow
If you only have a south-facing balcony, you should set up sun protection. The closer the plant is to a house wall, the better.
cut
Do not prune the lavender too late in the summer, otherwise the plant will not be able to produce enough plant material. The shoots serve as additional winter protection and this is even sufficient in most cases, especially with real lavender. Prune Lavandula angustifolia as early as possible in summer before it fades. If you live in a particularly cool region, you can even do without the cut.
With these precautions, you can effectively help the plant through the winter. Now the winter protection comes into play. The colder it is, the more important this is.
Lavender outdoors
To do this, pack the planter as follows:
- take bubble wrap and cover the entire flowerpot to the brim
- Now a layer of jute fabric comes around the bubble wrap, which is fixed with a string
- alternatively, you can simply use a winter protection fleece for the two layers
- this is folded up at a height of 10 cm above the edge of the bucket
- Now wrap the plant pot with the fleece and fix it with a string
Now loosen the soil a little and water carefully over the winter months so that the substrate does not dry out completely.
Tip: A popular way to get lavender through the winter is to keep it in bark mulch. Simply place the plant pot in a wooden box and fill it completely with bark mulch. Of course, the plant has to look out of the filling. Bark mulch provides thermal insulation and even stores moisture and nutrients. This gives your lavender everything it needs over the winter.
In the pot
Overwintering in a pot is suitable for all species as the plants are not kept outdoors. This is particularly useful for woolly, broad-leaved and French lavender that do not tolerate long periods of frost and want higher temperatures. However, they can withstand long periods of little sun as long as it doesn't get too cold for the herbs. These taxa can be brought through the winter in exactly the same way.
Follow the points below:
- place the plants in the flower pot in a bright place
- the temperature should be between 5°C to 15°C
- Temperatures that are too high should be avoided, otherwise the French lavender will dry out quickly
- conservatories or unheated rooms are best suited for overwintering
- even attics or storage rooms with enough light are suitable for this
- only water a little, because lavender is not really a thirsty plant
- however, the substrate should not dry out to avoid possible drying damage
- from February, the herb should be carefully accustomed to warm temperatures again
- this way you can easily transport the French lavender outside at the end of winter
- Cut back from March, repot and loosen the soil as much as possible when repotting
- the roots can even be trimmed a bit
- the cut ensures vigorous budding in spring
- pour on and enjoy a hibernated French lavender
Lavender in the garden bed
Alternatively, if you live in a warmer region with mild winters, you can overwinter the French lavender as an outdoor balcony plant. For this, however, the plant must no longer be a young plant and must have reached an appropriate size. In addition, the root system must be well developed, otherwise there is a risk of the plant drying out. In addition, you must keep the soil loose and the location must be dry, because high humidity during the cold season leads to the death of the lavender. The flower pot is covered with brushwood and the plant is wrapped in fleece to brave the cold. Check the condition of the plant regularly.