Lavender is actually known and loved for its lush flowers. Sometimes, however, the plants remain without flowers. There are various reasons for this phenomenon.
Why isn't my lavender blooming?
If lavender does not bloom, this may be due to an unsuitable location, poor soil conditions, incorrect pruning, improper overwintering or lack of care. Make sure you have a sunny, warm spot, well-drained soil, timely cutting and suitable overwintering.
Consider location and soil conditions
Lavender is very sensitive when it comes to the growing conditions it prefers - especially in terms of location and soil conditions. If he doesn't like his place, he may go on flowering strike. Lavender loves:
- A location in full sun (i.e. no partial shade or under a tree!)
- as much heat as possible – the hotter, the better
- no wind
- permeable, nutrient-poor soil, preferably sandy and/or stony.
Especially if the summer is quite cold and perhaps rainy, you don't have to be surprised that your lavender has no flowers. The plant comes from the Mediterranean and is therefore used to as much warmth as possible. The nature of the soil is also often a reason for the lack of flowers: the soil is either too heavy/clayey or too acidic. Rhododendron likes to grow on acidic peat soil, but lavender does not tolerate such soil. If your soil is not optimal, you can improve it accordingly (for example with sand, gravel or pebbles) or plant the lavender. Sometimes, however, you are completely innocent of the fact that your lavender remains without flowers - then the lack of flowers is due to incorrect care, for example in the garden center. In this case, the only thing that helps is to wait: the plant will definitely bloom next year.
Don’t cut lavender too late
It is generally recommended to cut back lavender by at least half in spring to bring the bush back into shape. However, the lavender must not be cut too late, otherwise the plant will invest its energy in sprouting the young shoots instead of in producing flowers. If the weather permits, you should cut back the lavender in March, but no later than April. Also, don't forget to fertilize the lavender according to its needs after cutting. Some gardeners also recommend not doing so drastic spring pruning and instead cutting more away in summer.
Tips & Tricks
Another reason why lavender is not flowering can be incorrect overwintering. If the plants overwinter in the heated living room instead of in the garden or under cold house conditions, they use up far too much energy, which is then no longer sufficient to produce flowers in the spring.
