The optimal location on the balcony
Blooming lavender is reminiscent of your last vacation and relaxes body and mind, and the intense scent keeps annoying insects away. Instead, the nectar-rich flowers provide rich food for bees and butterflies. So that the lavender feels comfortable on your balcony, it should have sun all day if possible - therefore an orientation in a south or south-west direction is desirable. In addition, it should be as protected as possible in order to protect the plants from strong weather conditions such as wind and precipitation.
also read
- Does lavender thrive in partial shade?
- Hibernate lavender
- Lavender is not very suitable as a houseplant
Other suitable plants for a blooming balcony
Flowering perennials such as, for example, have similar needs in terms of location as lavender
- Beard flowers
- broom
- Summer and autumn lilacs
- Almond tree
- Crabapple and Ornamental Cherry
- Rosemary, sage and thyme
- Johannis herbs
- Rock pear
- Wild roses (e.g. shrub roses)
Substrate and plant container
The roots of the lavender require a lot of space, which is why the planter should be as wide and deep as possible. Low-growing lavender varieties can also be cultivated in a balcony box, although you should ensure that there is adequate water drainage. Balcony boxes (€ 106.25 at Amazon *) hold back the water, which can quickly become a deadly trap for drought-loving plants like lavender. As a result, a permeable, sandy substrate and drainage with expanded clay, (€ 17.50 at Amazon *) pebbles or pottery shards are essential. The substrate should also be as lean as possible. For this purpose, you can mix standard potting soil with plenty of sand (e.g. play sand, in a ratio of 1: 1).
Propagate lavender
Lavender can be propagated from cuttings without any problems. If you don't have the space to overwinter the perennial plant appropriately, simply take cuttings and overwinter them. This saves a lot of space and usually works on the windowsill in an unheated bedroom. To do this, cut off shoots that are around 10 to 15 centimeters long and still green and stick them in suitable lavender soil. Keep the substrate slightly damp, but not wet. The cuttings take root after an average of four to six weeks. In addition, you can grow lavender plants yourself from commercially available seeds in spring instead of buying ready-made plants.
Wintering lavender on the balcony?
Winter hardy lavender - which in principle only includes the many varieties of real lavender - can usually be overwintered on the balcony, provided of course that it is well protected. Cover the substrate with brushwood and wrap the pot with protective mats (e.g. made of coconut) or fleece to protect the sensitive roots from frost. Non-hardy lavender - such as the potted lavender, which is particularly popular as a potted plant - on the other hand, must not be left outside in winter, but should hibernate under cold house conditions. Temperatures between 10 and 12 ° C are ideal.
Tips & Tricks
If possible, plant your lavender in containers made from natural materials such as clay. Plastic containers store too much water and do not allow it to evaporate, so that a climate unfavorable for lavender can develop in them.
IJA
