Why Doesn't Lavender Bloom?

Sun

• Lavender needs at least six to eight hours of direct sunlight daily to bloom well. The plant will not flower in partial to full shade. If planted in a shady location, transplant the lavender to a sunny spot. Cut it back to 4 inches high and water it thoroughly. Dig it up on a cloudy morning or in the evening to reduce transplant shock, removing as much of the root system as possible. Replant the lavender at the same soil depth it was originally planted at. Water it again and keep the soil evenly moist for the next three weeks as the plant becomes established in the new location.

Soil

• Lavender prefers light or loamy soils with a pH between 6.0 and 8.0. When planted in acidic soils, lavender may develop yellow leaves or fail to bloom because of a lack of calcium. Amend acidic soils with lime several months before planting lavender. In general, add 5 to 10 lbs. of dolomitic lime for each scale interval increase. For example, to raise the pH of the soil from 5.0 to 6.0, add 4 1/2 lbs. lime to sandy soils, 7 1/2 lbs. lime to loam soils and 10 lbs. lime to clay soils. Plant lavender in containers if you prefer.

Water

• Lavender prefers somewhat dry conditions and may rot in constantly soggy soil. Water newly planted lavender weekly during dry conditions. Water established plants every two to three weeks until bud formation. Water flowering plants once or twice a week until harvest during dry weather. If planted on a site with poor drainage, move the lavender to a raised bed, mound or container plant.

Fertilizer

• Lavender prefers soil without a lot of organic matter or nutrients. Nitrogen fertilizer may cause the plants to produce foliage at the expense of blooms. Add compost and lime annually to poor soil, but skip fertilizer to encourage blooming.