Most Don’t Know: The Dead Simple Way to Grow Lavender from Cuttings

“There’s nothing quite like the smell of fresh lavender blooming in your garden — that sweet, calming scent that instantly transports you to the Mediterranean countryside. But growing lavender from seed? That’s a waiting game with mixed results. The secret to fast, reliable lavender success lies in one simple trick: growing from cuttings.”

Growing lavender from cuttings is one of the easiest, most rewarding gardening hacks you can learn. It’s cost-effective, straightforward, and almost foolproof if you follow the right steps.

In this detailed guide, I’ll walk you through the dead simple way to grow lavender from cuttings, breaking it down into:

• What you need before you start

• How to take the perfect lavender cutting

• Preparing your cuttings for rooting

• The best soil and containers to use

• Watering, light, and temperature tips for success

• When and how to transplant your new plants

• Troubleshooting common problems

• Bonus tips for caring for lavender year-round

Let’s dig in and get you growing lavender the easy way — with cuttings!

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Why Grow Lavender from Cuttings?

Before we dive into the “how,” let’s talk about “why.”

Growing lavender from seed can be a slow process. Lavender seeds are slow to germinate, often taking weeks or even months, and they don’t always produce plants identical to the parent.

Cuttings, on the other hand, offer several advantages:

• Faster growth: Root development happens quickly, so you get blooms sooner.

• True-to-parent plants: The new lavender is genetically identical to the mother plant, so you know what to expect.

• Higher success rate: Cuttings have a better chance of thriving than seedlings.

• Cost-effective: Propagate dozens of plants for free from one healthy lavender bush.

• Easy for beginners: No special equipment needed.

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What You’ll Need Before You Start

Gather these supplies to make the process smooth and successful:

Tools & Supplies:

• A healthy, mature lavender plant (English lavender like Lavandula angustifolia is easiest)

• Sharp, clean pruning shears or scissors

• Small pots or containers with drainage holes

• A well-draining propagation mix (half perlite, half peat moss or coconut coir works great)

• Rooting hormone powder or gel (optional but increases success)

• Clear plastic bags or a propagation dome (to maintain humidity)

• Spray bottle filled with water

• Labels and a marker

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Step 1: Choosing the Right Time & Plant for Cuttings

Timing is key.

The best time to take lavender cuttings is late spring to early summer, when new growth is firm but not woody — usually about 3 to 4 inches long. This is when the plant is actively growing, and the stems are flexible but mature enough to root well.

Look for a healthy, pest-free lavender plant. Avoid any stems that are:

• Flowering (cuttings root better before flowering)

• Woody or brown

• Wilted or diseased

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Step 2: Taking the Perfect Cutting

Here’s the dead simple way to do it:

1. With clean pruning shears, snip a 3-4 inch stem from the current season’s growth. The cutting should be semi-hardwood — firm but still green and flexible.

2. Cut just below a leaf node (where leaves meet the stem). This node will produce new roots.

3. Remove the flowers or buds if present. They divert energy away from root development.

4. Strip the leaves off the bottom half of the cutting, leaving a few sets of leaves at the top intact.

5. If you like, gently scrape the bark at the bottom of the cutting with a fingernail or knife to expose the inner tissue — this can encourage rooting.

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Step 3: Preparing Your Cuttings for Rooting

Here’s where many gardeners get nervous, but it’s really simple:

• Optional: Dip the bottom 1 inch of your cutting into rooting hormone powder or gel. This stimulates faster root development but is not strictly necessary.

• Fill your pots with the well-draining propagation mix. Lavender hates soggy soil, so make sure your soil is light and airy.

• Make a small hole with a pencil or stick, then insert the cutting about halfway into the soil.

• Firm the soil gently around the cutting to hold it upright.

• Mist the cutting lightly with water.

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Step 4: Creating the Perfect Environment for Rooting

Lavender cuttings need warmth, humidity, and indirect light to root successfully:

• Humidity: Cover your pot with a clear plastic bag or place it inside a propagation dome to trap moisture. This mimics the humidity of a greenhouse and keeps the cutting from drying out.

• Light: Place the cutting in a bright spot with indirect sunlight. Avoid direct sun, which can scorch the delicate cutting.

• Temperature: Aim for a temperature around 65–75°F (18–24°C).

Open the plastic cover every couple of days for fresh air to prevent mold.

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Step 5: Watering Your Cuttings

• Keep the soil moist but never soggy. Overwatering is a common mistake and can cause rot.

• Mist the cutting’s leaves to maintain humidity, but avoid water pooling on leaves.

• Check moisture daily — if the top inch of soil feels dry, lightly water.

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Step 6: Waiting for Roots to Develop

Be patient — lavender roots can take 2 to 6 weeks to appear.

You can gently tug on the cutting after 3 weeks. If you feel resistance, roots are forming.

Once roots are about 2 inches long or well-established, it’s time to transplant.

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Step 7: Transplanting Your Lavender

When your cutting has a healthy root system:

1. Prepare a larger pot or a spot in your garden with full sun and well-draining soil.

2. Dig a hole slightly bigger than the root ball.

3. Carefully remove the cutting from the propagation mix, keeping roots intact.

4. Plant it at the same depth as it was in the pot.

5. Water lightly and mulch with small stones or gravel to improve drainage.

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Step 8: Caring for Your New Lavender Plant

Lavender loves:

• Full sun: At least 6 hours a day.

• Well-drained soil: Avoid heavy clay; consider raised beds or containers if drainage is poor.

• Moderate watering: Let the soil dry out between watering. Overwatering causes root rot.

• Pruning: Once established, prune lavender annually after flowering to encourage bushy growth.

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Troubleshooting Common Problems

Cuttings Wilt or Rot

• Likely caused by overwatering or poor drainage. Use well-draining soil and avoid soggy conditions.

No Roots After 6 Weeks

• Try rooting hormone next time.

• Ensure proper humidity and warmth.

• Use fresh, healthy cuttings.

Mold on Cuttings or Soil Surface

• Open plastic cover regularly for airflow.

• Use a clean container and fresh propagation mix.

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Bonus Tips & Tricks

• Best Lavender Varieties for Cuttings: English lavender (L. angustifolia) and French lavender (L. dentata) root easily.

• Propagation from Woodier Cuttings: Older, woodier stems can be rooted in fall with more patience.

• Mulching: Use gravel or small rocks around lavender to keep roots dry.

• Using Your Lavender: Harvest flowers for sachets, teas, or cooking once plants mature.

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Final Thoughts

Growing lavender from cuttings is one of the easiest and most rewarding ways to fill your garden with this fragrant, beautiful herb. It saves money, guarantees true-to-parent plants, and gives you a head start compared to seeds.

With just a bit of patience and the simple steps above, you can multiply your lavender plants quickly — creating a stunning, aromatic garden oasis that neighbors and friends will envy.

Now that you know this dead-simple secret, you’re ready to get growing.