Are you tired of planting lavender in soil that’s dry as a bone or heavy as a lead balloon? No stress; I’ve been in the same boat!
I remember the first time I planted lavender in my backyard. It was so exciting to see it grow and bloom. But after a few weeks, I noticed that the plant wasn’t thriving as I had hoped. I realized that I had made a rookie mistake by planting it in heavy clay soil. The poor lavender was drowning in excess water and struggling to breathe.
I quickly learned that lavender prefers well-draining soil, so I decided to amend the soil with sand and organic matter to improve drainage. It was like a lightbulb went off in my head! The lavender started to grow like crazy, and its fragrance filled the air.
Since then, I’ve experimented with different soil types for planting lavender, including sandy loam, chalky soil, and rocky soil. Each type has its own characteristics and challenges, but my favorite potting soil to have on hand at all times is the Miracle-gro Potting mix.
It’s been a fun and rewarding journey. I’m always excited to try out new lavender potting soil types and see how they affect the growth and health of my lavender plants. So I’ve compiled a list of some of the best potting soils to share with you.
Take a look and see what you think:
- Best All-Rounder – Miracle Gro Indoor Potting Mix
- Best Potting Soil for Lavender – Espoma AP8 8-Quart Lavender Soil
- Best Organic Potting Soil for Lavender – Burpee, 9 Quarts
- Best pH- Balanced Potting Soil – Happy Frog Potting Soil
- Best Budget-Friendly Potting Soil – Sun Gro Horticulture Black Gold 1310102 8-Quart
Product Reviews
Best All-Rounder-Miracle Gro Indoor Potting Mix
Highlights:
I recently purchased Miracle-Gro Indoor Potting Mix for my lavender plants. I must say, I am thoroughly impressed with this product! One of the highlights that stood out to me was the nutrient content. This potting mix contains added nutrients that help feed my lavender plant for up to six months, promoting healthy growth keeping it vibrant and lush.
Another standout feature is the moisture control. I love that this potting mix is formulated to retain moisture. Which is especially important for an indoor lavender plant that is often exposed to dry air. This feature helps keep my plants hydrated and healthy, even during periods of low humidity.
The good drainage provided by this potting mix is also a major plus. It helps prevent overwatering and root rot, ensuring optimal lavender plant health. Plus, the fact that it’s lightweight and easy to handle makes it a breeze to work with.
I’ve also appreciated the versatility of Miracle-Gro Indoor Potting Mix. I’ve used it for a variety of indoor and outdoor plants, including herbs, flowers, and vegetables.It’s worked great every time. And with its pre-moistened formula, it’s incredibly easy to use straight out of the bag.
Key Features:
- Contains nutrients to feed lavender plants for up to six months, promoting healthy growth.
- Miracle-Gro Indoor Potting Mix is formulated to retain moisture, which helps keep lavender plants hydrated and healthy indoors and outdoors.
- Good drainage to prevent waterlogging and root rot, ensuring optimal plant health.
- Lightweight, making it easy to handle and work with.
- Easy-to-use pre-moistened potting mix is ready to use straight out of the bag, saving time and effort for busy gardeners.
- pH balanced to ensure that lavender plants can absorb nutrients efficiently.
Who’s It for?
It’s suitable for anyone who wants to grow healthy and vibrant indoor or outdoor lavender plants, whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just starting out.
It’s also perfect for those who want to control the moisture levels of their indoor plants.
Furthermore, this product is great for anyone who wants to ensure that their indoor plants have good drainage. Its lightweight and easy-to-handle formula makes it a breeze to work with, making it a popular choice for novice and experienced gardeners.
Best Potting Soil for Lavender –Espoma AP8 8-Quart Lavender Soil
Highlights:
I picked up a bag of Espoma AP8 8-Quart Lavender Soil for my lavender plants, and I am over the moon with this product! One of the main highlights that really stood out to me was how well it drains. This is key for preventing waterlogged roots and ensuring optimal plant health.
Another great feature is how nutrient-rich it is. Espoma AP8 8-Quart Lavender Soil is chock-full of essential minerals and nutrients, so you wont have to worry about the health of your lovely lavender.
I also appreciate how easy it is to use. Its lightweight texture makes it easy to handle and work with, even for those with limited gardening experience. And because it’s specifically formulated for lavender plants, I feel confident that I’m giving my plants exactly what they need to thrive.
The fact that it’s organic is also a major plus for me. As an environmentally-conscious buyer, I appreciate that this soil is free from synthetic chemicals and pesticides. It’s made from all-natural ingredients, which makes me feel good about using it in my garden.
Key Features:
- Excellent drainage, which helps prevent waterlogged roots and ensures optimal plant health.
- Nutrient-rich and chock-full of essential minerals and nutrients, providing your lavender plants with everything they need to grow strong and healthy.
- Easy to use with its lightweight texture, this soil is easy to handle and work with, even for those beginner gardeners
- Formulated for lavender plants, ensuring that your plants receive the ideal balance of nutrients and minerals.
- Organically made from all-natural ingredients, free from synthetic chemicals and pesticides. Making it a great choice for environmentally-conscious gardeners.
Who’s It for?
Espoma AP8 8-Quart Lavender soil is an excellent choice for growing healthy and vibrant plants, whether you’re a garden guru or a newbie. Because of the organic status of this soil, it’s great for those environmentally conscious gardeners. With the extra added nutrients its saves time on fertilizing.
Best Organic Potting Soil for Lavender – Burpee, 9 Quarts
Highlights:
After testing this soil, I found that it is made with premium ingredients such as coir, perlite, and vermiculite, which help my lavender plants stay healthy. It has a manageable, lightweight texture, which is especially helpful when filling pots or containers.
Burpees premium organic soil was one of the longer-lasting soil types I had tried. It worked well on my lavenders and on my tomatoes too. The soil has impressive moisture control, which helps prevent over or under-watering.
Another great aspect of this soil is the packaging. It has a resealable bag- genius!
I don’t know about you, but storing leftover soil can be a nightmare sometimes, especially if the bag is torn open. The resealable bag keeps it fresh and free from any risk of infestation or drying out.
Key Features:
- Premium ingredients, including coir, perlite, and vermiculite, to promote healthy lavender plant growth.
- Lightweight texture, which makes it easy to handle and work with.
- Moisture control helps to prevent over or under-watering your plants.
- Long-lasting means you won’t have to replace it as frequently as other soil types.
- Versatile can be used on different plants, including vegetables, herbs, and flowers.
- A resealable bag helps keep it fresh and prevents spills or drying out.
- Rich in nutrients to promote healthy plant growth.
- Affordable and competitively priced, making it an affordable option for gardeners.
Who’s It for?
Burpee soil is ideal for anyone looking to grow healthy and vibrant lavender plants. Because of its moisture control feature, it’s great for those who struggle with under or over-watering their lavender plants. The soil’s affordable price point and long-lasting nature make it a practical option for those looking to save money and time on their gardening efforts.
Best pH-Balanced Potting Soil for Lavender – FoxFarm FX14054 Happy Frog Potting Soil, 12 Quart
Highlights:
I used Happy Frog potting mix to grow lavender seedlings, and I was amazed at how quickly they grew and how healthy they looked. The nutrient-rich soil provided everything the plants needed to grow strong and produce plenty of lavender flowers, too.
Despite the hot, dry weather, the soil retained enough moisture to keep my lavenders happy and blooming.
One great aspect of the Happy Frog potting mix is that it’s organic, so you can rest easy knowing that your lavender hasn’t been grown with any nasty chemicals. This also makes the Happy Frog potting mix great for other areas of the garden too, especially for veggie growing.
The Happy Frog potting mix is pH balanced, which means it has the proper acidity level for most plants so there’s no need to make any adjustments when growing lavender.
Key Features:
- Nutrient-rich and made from a blend of high-quality, organic ingredients that are rich in nutrients such as bat guano, earthworm castings, and hummus.
- Water retention that allows for proper drainage. This helps prevent overwatering and underwatering, which can harm plants.
- pH balanced, which means it has the proper acidity level for most plants. This ensures that the plants can absorb nutrients from the soil and grow properly.
- Organic ingredients make it safe for use in vegetable gardens and other areas where chemical fertilizers and pesticides are not desirable.
- Lightweight and easy to work with, making it ideal for container gardening.
- Versatile for use with a wide variety of plants, including vegetables, herbs, flowers, and indoor plants.
Who’s It for?
Happy Frog Potting Mix is for anyone who wants to grow healthy, thriving lavender plants. It is suitable for use with a wide variety of other plants, including vegetables, herbs, flowers, and indoor plants.
The potting mix is perfect for those who prefer organic gardening.It is made from all organic ingredients and is safe for growing lavender. You can use it in vegetable gardens and other areas where chemical fertilizers and pesticides are not desirable.
It is also ideal for container gardening, as the lightweight and easy-to-work-with formula makes filling and moving containers easy.
Best Budget-Friendly Lavender Soil – Sun Gro Horticulture Black Gold 1310102 8-Quart All Purpose Potting Soil With Control
Highlights:
After trying Sun Gro Horticulture Black Gold 1310102 8-Quart All Purpose Potting Soil With Control- you would never know it was a budget-friendly option!
First and foremost, this potting soil is incredibly easy to work with. It has a light and fluffy texture that makes it simple to fill containers and transplant seedlings without damaging their delicate roots. The soil is also well-draining, which helps to prevent overwatering and root rot.
Another thing I love about this lavender potting soil is the added control feature. The soil contains a natural fertilizer blend that slowly releases nutrients to plants for up to six months. This means that I don’t have to worry about constantly fertilizing my plants or overfeeding them, which can be just as harmful.
In terms of performance, I have to say that this potting soil has exceeded my expectations. I used it to plant lavender and a variety of herbs and vegetables, and they have all grown beautifully. The soil has helped to promote healthy root development and robust foliage, resulting in an abundant harvest.
One of my favorite things about this potting soil is its versatility. It is suitable for use with a wide variety of plants, from indoor houseplants to outdoor vegetable gardens. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or a beginner, you’ll find this potting soil easy to work with and effective in producing healthy, vibrant growth.
Key Features:
- Lightweight with a light and fluffy texture that makes it easy to handle and fill containers.
- Well-draining soil helps to prevent overwatering and root rot.
- Added control feature that slowly releases nutrients to plants for up to six months.
- Versatile with a wide variety of plants, both indoor and outdoor.
- pH balanced which ensures that plants can absorb nutrients from the soil and grow properly.
- All-purpose that can be used for a variety of gardening needs.
- Organic ingredients make it safe for use in vegetable gardens and other areas where chemical fertilizers and pesticides are not desirable.
Who’s It For?
Sun Gro Horticulture Black Gold 1310102 8-Quart All Purpose Potting Soil With Control is suitable for a wide range of gardeners, from beginners to advanced. It is ideal for anyone who wants to plant lavender with the best possible growing conditions and achieve healthy, vibrant growth.
This is especially useful for those looking for a versatile, all-purpose potting soil mix that can be used for various gardening needs.
Furthermore, it is also an excellent choice for those who prefer organic gardening, as the potting soil is made from a blend of organic ingredients and is safe for use in vegetable gardens and other areas where chemical fertilizers and pesticides are not desirable.
Buying Guide
Steps for Choosing the Best Soil for Lavender:
If you are planning on growing lavender plants, choosing the right potting soil is crucial to their success.
Here’s a step-by-step guide for purchasing soil for your lavender plants:
- When planting lavender, firstly consider the variety: There are many different varieties of lavender, and they each have their own unique potting soil requirements. For example, English lavender prefers alkaline soil with a pH between 6.5 and 7.5, while Spanish lavender prefers a more neutral soil with a pH between 6.0 and 8.0. Make sure to research the specific type of lavender you are planting to determine its soil needs.
- Look for well-draining soil: Lavender plants do not tolerate wet soil well and require well-draining soil to prevent root rot.Therefore look for soil mixes that are designed specifically for growing lavender or other Mediterranean herbs. This soil mixes typically contains perlite or sand to improve drainage.
- Choose a soil with good air circulation: Lavender plants require good air circulation around their roots to prevent disease and fungal growth. Look for potting soil mixes that are light and fluffy, with good aeration.
- Check the soil’s pH: Lavender plants prefer soil with a slightly alkaline pH. Look for soil mixes that have a pH between 6.5 and 8.0.
- Consider adding organic matter: While lavender plants prefer well-draining soil, they also benefit from the addition of organic matter. Look for soil mixes that contain compost or other organic matter to improve soil fertility.
- Read reviews and product descriptions: Before purchasing soil, make sure to read product descriptions and reviews to ensure that the potting soil mix meets your lavender’s specific needs. Look for reviews from other lavender growers to see if the soil mix has produced good results for their plants.
- Purchase from a reputable supplier: Finally, purchase your soil from a reputable supplier to ensure that you are getting the best potting soil. Look for suppliers that specialize in organic or specialty soils, and avoid purchasing soil from discount stores or nurseries that may not have high-quality soil mixes.
FAQ
What kind of soil do you use for lavender?
Lavender prefers dry, chalky, or slightly alkaline soil, and you should avoid planting it in heavy clay soil that will compact and become waterlogged. However, you can use clay pebbles to grow lavender.
Can you put lavender in compost?
Yes, you can add lavender to your compost or use it directly as a mulch. It can be difficult to compost as it has poor water-holding capabilities but will just take longer than other plants to break down.
Is lavender an acid-loving plant?
Lavender thrives at a pH level of 6.5, which is mildly acidic. It can tolerate alkaline levels up to pH 8. Some lavender varieties vary, so make sure you check which variety you are growing.
Is it better to root lavender in water or soil?
Soil propagation is the best method for rooting lavender. Lavender is prone to rot when left in water; try to use a well-draining soil mix for your cuttings.
Should I add sand to soil for lavender?
Lavender doesn’t do well with excessive moisture, so you can add builder’s sand to your potting soil mix to improve drainage.
Is peat moss good for lavender?
Lavender doesn’t do well in peat soils. It prefers chalky, sandy, rocky, or gravely soil that can dry out thoroughly between watering.
Choosing the Perfect Blend
When it comes to choosing the best soil for lavender, I learned the hard way that you can’t just throw any old dirt in a pot and call it a day. Choosing the best soil is crucial for the plant’s development.
Lavender thrives in well-draining soil with a neutral to alkaline pH level. A blend of sandy soil, perlite, and peat moss can provide the best growing conditions. After rolling up my sleeves and trying everything under the sun, I finally found the perfect blend: the Miracle-gro indoor mix. It sounds like it’s limited to indoor growing, but you can also use it outdoors on other plants.
With a little bit of patience and some trial and error, you can find the perfect soil blend and watch your lavender plants blossom and flourish.
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