How to Propagate Lavender for a Never-Ending Supply of Blooms

Learn the step-by-steps for propagating lavender through stem cuttings and layering.

Lavender plants in a garden setting with rocks and grass — Credit:
Katya Slavashevich / Getty Images

Lavender is more than just a fragrant perennial shrub—it's a garden staple known for its beautiful blooms that attract pollinators and can be harvested and used to make soaps, teas, and more. If you want to double your harvest for years to come, consider propagating lavender from cuttings or through layering. Propagating lavender is an easy, rewarding process that will provide you with a never-ending supply of blooms. Ahead, we're sharing the easiest and most successful methods for propagating lavender, according to experts.

Andrew Bunting, vice president of horticulture at the Pennsylvania Horticulture Society
Damon Abdi, assistant professor of landscape horticulture at Louisiana State University

When to Propagate Lavender

The best time to propagate lavender is in summer, from June through September, when the plants are actively growing, says Damon Abdi, assistant professor of landscape horticulture at Louisiana State University. He adds that summer is when gardeners should take softwood (the tender, flexible growth) cuttings, but hardwood (older, mature growth) cuttings can be harvested in fall or early winter.

All patented cultivars of lavender are protected and illegal to propagate. The tag will indicate if it is patented or not by including a TM or ® symbol. Some sources have non-patented or public-domain plants that can be propagated.

How to Propagate Lavender in Soil

Propagating lavender through stem cuttings is the most common method. It's done by removing stems that are upright, pest- and disease-free, and have a healthy appearance and potting them in small containers. Follow these steps from Andrew Bunting, vice president of horticulture at the Pennsylvania Horticulture Society, to propagate lavender cuttings in soil.

Using clean, sharp pruners, take a few 3- to 5-inch long cuttings from healthy stems.
Using your hand, remove the lower leaves from the stem.
Fill a 6-inch plastic pot with well-draining soil amended with perlite or 100 percent perlite.
Optional: Dip the cut end of the stem in rooting hormone to aid in rooting.
Using a pencil, create six to eight pilot holes in the potting soil or perlite.
Insert the stems of the lavender cuttings where the leaves have been stripped off into each hole. Using your fingers, press the soil or perlite around the base of the stem.
Water the soil and put the pot under grow lights or on a windowsill in indirect light. Ensure the soil stays moist.
In two to three weeks, fibrous roots will form. Once there is a strong fibrous root system, gently tease out each cutting and pot each one in its own 4-inch pot.

How to Propagate Lavender in Water

According to Bunting, lavender cuttings can also be propagated in water, which is quicker and easier to do than potting the cuttings in soil. Here's how to do it the right way.

Using clean, sharp pruners, take a few 3- to 5-inch long cuttings from healthy stems.
Using your hand, remove the lower leaves from the stem.
Place the cuttings in a glass or vase. Change the water every couple of days.
Put the plant under grow lights or on a windowsill in indirect light.
In two to three weeks, fibrous roots will form. Once there is a strong fibrous root system, gently tease out each cutting and pot each one in its own 4-inch pot.

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How to Propagate Lavender Through Layering

Layering is a practice that can be used to propagate lavender from larger plants and doesn't require any containers or special equipment, says Abdi.

Take a low-growing stem that can be easily bent without snapping.
On the bottom of the stem, make a small wound using your fingernail or a small knife.
Bend the branch so the end with the wound is resting directly on the soil.
Eventually, roots will emerge from the wound and the plant can be dug up and separated from the main plant and replanted elsewhere.

Caring for Propagated Lavender

Properly caring for your cuttings ensures they grow into mature plants. Once the cuttings have been propagated into individual containers, Bunting says to water the soil just enough to keep it damp as too much water will cause root rot. Avoid placing the cuttings in an area with direct light, as Abdi says this can lead to wilting. "Over the next several months, the cuttings of the plants will grow into larger plants. Ultimately, they can be planted in the garden in the spring or summer," Bunting notes.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do lavender cuttings take to root in water?

Lavender cuttings will take about four to six weeks to root in water. Abdi warns against letting them root too much in water before transplanting into soil. "If left to grow in water too long, the roots may be less capable of acclimating to soil when transplanted," he says.
Is it better to propagate lavender in water or soil?

Rooting in soil is a better approach than water, Bunting says. This is because you risk the roots rotting in water.
What are common lavender propagation mistakes?

There are some mistakes to avoid when propagating lavender. Bunting says to maintain good air circulation to avoid rot. Also ensure the soil is well-draining and use amendments that boost drainage, such as perlite. Lastly, he says to make sure the cuttings have a good root system before transplanting.

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