Lavender is a beloved garden plant known for its calming fragrance, elegant blooms, and versatility in landscapes and containers. While growing lavender from seed is an excellent option, it can be slow and yield inconsistent results. Propagating lavender by cuttings, on the other hand, offers a faster, more reliable way to replicate the exact characteristics of a parent plant.
Jason, from Fraser Valley Rose Farm, shares his expert insights on propagating lavender by cuttings in a recent video. This article distills his advice, expanding on the process so you can achieve success even if you’re new to propagation.
Why Choose Cuttings Over Seeds?
Growing lavender from seed has its merits, particularly for introducing genetic diversity or starting a new variety. However, seeds can take time to germinate, and the resulting plants often vary in appearance and performance. Propagation by cuttings, in contrast, produces identical clones of the parent plant, ensuring uniformity in traits such as growth habit, bloom color, and hardiness. Additionally, cuttings establish more quickly, often forming roots within weeks.
What You’ll Need to Get Started
To propagate lavender by cuttings, you’ll need a few essential tools and materials:
- A healthy, mature lavender plant.
- Pruners or small flower trimmers for clean cuts.
- Rooting hormone (preferably 0.3% IBA for lavender).
- A well-draining propagation medium, such as a mix of peat and perlite.
- A humidity dome or misting system to maintain consistent moisture.
- A warm, bright space with steady temperatures around 21°C (70°F).
Jason emphasizes the importance of starting with a parent plant at the right stage of growth. Ideally, look for plants that are actively producing vegetative growth but have not yet entered full flowering mode.
Selecting the Perfect Cutting
The timing and quality of your cuttings significantly impact success rates. Jason demonstrates this by examining three lavender plants:
- A dormant plant with tight, grayish foliage was unsuitable due to a lack of fresh growth.
- A flowering plant posed challenges, as flower stems rarely root well and often divert energy away from vegetative growth.
- A third plant, showing fresh vegetative growth without flowers, was ideal.
Once you’ve chosen your parent plant, follow these steps:
- Take the Cutting: Cut a stem low on the plant, including a mix of soft, green tissue and slightly woody material from the previous year’s growth. Avoid using entirely woody stems.
- Trim and Prepare: Remove the lower leaves and trim the cutting to about three nodes long, ensuring a clean cut.
- Apply Rooting Hormone: Dip the cut end into a rooting hormone to encourage faster, more consistent root development.
- Stick into Medium: Insert the prepared cutting into the propagation mix, ensuring good contact between the stem and the medium.
Creating the Ideal Environment
Humidity and warmth are critical for successful lavender propagation. Jason uses a DIY humidity dome made from a clear storage bin with small holes drilled into the lid for airflow. This setup retains moisture while preventing stagnation. He advises misting the cuttings lightly to maintain humidity without saturating the soil, as overly wet conditions can lead to rot.
Temperature is another key factor. While outdoor propagation is possible, Jason moves his cuttings indoors during cooler months to maintain a steady 21°C (70°F). A grow light helps provide sufficient light levels for healthy rooting without overheating the cuttings.
Monitoring Progress
Within two weeks, lavender cuttings should begin forming callus tissue, and roots may start emerging shortly thereafter. Jason highlights the importance of gradually reducing humidity once roots develop, allowing the young plants to adapt to drier conditions.
Before transplanting, he recommends “hardening off” the cuttings by moving them to a greenhouse or similar environment without a humidity dome. This step ensures they can thrive in normal conditions without stress.
Comparing Propagation Methods: Seeds vs. Cuttings
Jason contrasts the progress of lavender grown from seed versus cuttings. While seed-grown plants may show more initial branching, they are slower to establish and exhibit variability in traits. By comparison, lavender propagated from cuttings grows more uniformly, with faster root development and greater leaf mass at the same stage.
For gardeners seeking reliable, high-quality plants in a shorter timeframe, cuttings are the clear winner.
Final Thoughts
Propagating lavender by cuttings is a rewarding process that can save time and yield consistent, high-quality plants. With proper tools, timing, and attention to environmental factors, even beginners can achieve excellent results. As Jason demonstrates, mastering this technique opens up exciting possibilities for growing lavender in your garden or nursery.
If you’re interested in more detailed guidance, including tips on growing lavender in containers, stay tuned for Jason’s upcoming videos. Have questions about lavender propagation? Drop a comment below or explore additional resources on the Fraser Valley Rose Farm website.
