How to Grow Lavender Indoors for Beautiful Blooms and Soothing Aromas Year-Round

Lavender is a wonderful plant that's beloved not just for its violet flowers but also for its soft, soothing scent. Many will grow this perennial in the garden, where it will typically bloom in the spring, only to return again the following year. However, this herb can be grown indoors—a method that lets you appreciate its wonderful aroma year-round.

Of course, like with any plant, growing lavender indoors requires a unique approach and special care. Here, we spoke to gardening experts about how to grow healthy, flourishing lavender indoors.

Varieties You Can Grow Indoors

Some lavender varieties will fare better than others indoors. Generally, dwarf options are a safe bet, as their smaller size makes them a better fit for tables and windowsills. Here are a few that the experts recommend.

Thumbelina Leigh

A dwarf variety of English lavender, Thumbelina Leigh produces small, compact buds. Lauren Carvalho, a horticulturist at High Country Gardens, recommends it because it "takes up less space... and may be happier in containers."

Wee One

Adorable name aside, Wee One makes for a lovely indoor lavender plant, according to Carvalho. Another English dwarf variety, it grows to be just 10 inches tall and produces short blue blooms.

Goodwin Creek Grey

This lovely French lavender does well in containers, according to Susan Betz, a master gardener and the author of Herbal Houseplants. Its deep purple blooms are also beloved by pollinators.

Grosso

Betz also suggests Grosso for indoor growing, which is often used in perfumes and fragrances. So if you're growing lavender at home for crafting or wellness purposes, this may be a great option.

Care Requirements

Growing and caring for lavender indoors requires a different approach than growing it outside. This can especially vary depending on the climate in which you live and how much sun your home gets. Follow these steps and suggestions, though, and you'll have a fresh, beautiful container garden in no time.

Temperature

Lavender does well in warmer temperatures, generally between 50 and 70 degrees. It doesn't like humidity, however, and many experts warn against the danger of air vents. "Difficulties that arise are often due to air that's too hot or dry—especially if plants are sitting near hot air vents," says Betz. Nearby air-conditioning units are also a no-go.

Sunlight

Lavender loves sun, so making sure it gets enough light is essential. "It should receive as much light as possible indoors," says Tim Pollak, plant production manager at the Chicago Botanic Garden. "Place it near a south-facing window—if natural light is limited, you can use LED grow lights to give it additional lighting."

Tabar Gifford, a soil expert and customer experience cultivator at American Meadows, recommends at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight. If you live in a cloudier environment and end up going with grow lights instead, she suggests placing them about 12 inches above the plant for 12 to 14 hours a day.

Soil

Lavender roots are highly susceptible to rot, so Gifford recommends a well-draining soil or potting mix. You can even use perlite or sand to help. "Make sure the bottom of the pot has larger stones and gravel for sufficient drainage," says Megan Foster, a perennial and bulb expert at American Meadows. "The roots cannot stand in water—they won't tolerate it."

Water

Lavender is drought tolerant, says Pollak, and prefers drier conditions. He recommends checking on the soil every two to three days and watering when the top 1 to 2 inches are dry. "Be very careful not to overwater this plant indoors," adds Foster. "Don't give it the same water you'd typically give your tropical, humidity-loving plants, or it will rot. Lavender craves a very sparing, light touch with water."

Potting

Since root rot is such a big problem for lavender, it's important to choose a pot with proper drainage, so your plant is never standing in water. Gifford recommends a terracotta or unglazed pot with drainage holes to wick away any excess moisture.

Pruning

Since you'll be growing your lavender in containers rather than in the ground, pruning is essential to help keep these plants in shape. "Trim back about 1/3 of the plant in early spring or after flowering, cutting just above a node where new growth is visible," says Gifford. "Avoid cutting into woody stems, as they may not regrow."

Propagating

You can propagate lavender either by seed or by cuttings, though Gifford recommends the latter method over the former. In order to successfully propagate, take a 4 to 6-inch cutting from a healthy, non-woody stem, strip the lower leaves, dip the cut end in a rooting hormone, and then plant it in well-draining soil. "Place it in bright, indirect light until the roots develop—after three to six weeks—then gently transfer to a larger pot," she adds.

Harvesting

Experts recommend harvesting lavender right when its buds are starting to open, as this is when the plant's oils are the most concentrated. "Cut the entire flower stems," says Pollak. "To dry, bundle them, and hang them upside down in a cool, dry location away from hot sun."