Lavender is an aromatic perennial shrub known for its soothing fragrance and beautiful purple flowers. Originating in the dry, rocky, and sunny Mediterranean region, this plant is naturally suited to conditions that are the opposite of a typical indoor environment. Successfully growing lavender inside a home presents a significant challenge, but it is certainly achievable if you provide the specific conditions the plant needs to thrive. This undertaking requires a commitment to mimicking its native habitat.
The Indoor Suitability Challenge
Lavender’s fundamental needs clash with the stable, lower-light environment of most homes, setting it apart from typical low-maintenance greenery. The primary obstacle is its requirement for intense, all-day sun, needing at least six to eight hours of direct, unfiltered light daily to maintain dense foliage and produce flowers. A standard windowsill, even one facing south, often fails to provide the sheer intensity and duration of sunlight this Mediterranean native expects.
The second major hurdle is the plant’s need for a cool, dry period of winter dormancy to regulate its growth cycle. Lavender prefers night temperatures to drop significantly, ideally into the 40°F to 50°F range during cooler months. Replicating this consistent drop in temperature in a heated home is difficult and often overlooked by indoor growers, which can lead to weakened plants and a failure to flower in the following season.
Optimal Indoor Care Requirements
Overcoming the challenge of insufficient light requires supplemental grow lights to replicate the sun’s intensity. Placing the plant under a full-spectrum LED grow light for 12 to 14 hours per day is necessary to encourage healthy growth and flowering. The light fixture should be positioned close to the plant, typically within 12 to 24 inches, to maximize the light energy it receives.
Proper watering and drainage are just as important as light, as lavender is highly susceptible to root rot in poorly draining soil. The planting medium should be very fast-draining and gritty, ideally a mixture of standard potting soil and coarse sand or perlite. Water deeply but infrequently, allowing the top one to two inches of soil to dry out completely between waterings.
The plant thrives in low-humidity conditions, so good air circulation is necessary to prevent fungal diseases like powdery mildew. Place the pot in a well-ventilated area and avoid locations like bathrooms or kitchens where humidity levels are higher. During the active growing season, ideal daytime temperatures are between 60°F and 70°F, with a slight drop at night to stimulate its natural rhythm.
Choosing the Right Variety
Success with indoor lavender depends on selecting a smaller, compact cultivar suited to container life.
English Lavender
English Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) varieties like ‘Munstead’ or ‘Hidcote’ are excellent choices. They have a relatively small size and a sweeter, less camphor-heavy scent. These varieties are often more cold-hardy and have a naturally compact growth habit, making them easier to manage in a pot.
French Lavender
French Lavender (Lavandula stoechas) cultivars are also acceptable, as they are sometimes more tolerant of slightly lower light levels. Large hybrid varieties such as Lavandins (Lavandula x intermedia) are generally too large for long-term indoor cultivation. Choosing dwarf or compact varieties minimizes the need for extensive pruning and allows the plant’s energy to focus on flowering.
Beyond Aesthetics: Practical Uses and Scent
The reward for specialized care is access to the plant’s aromatic and practical benefits. The soothing scent of lavender is primarily due to the volatile organic compound linalool. Research shows linalool has an anxiolytic, or anxiety-relieving, effect when inhaled. The fragrance is detected by olfactory neurons, which then send signals to the brain to produce a calming response.
Indoor harvesting allows you to use the fresh or dried flowers for culinary and aromatic purposes. To preserve the strongest fragrance, harvest the flower spikes when the buds are plump and colorful, but before most of the individual flowers have fully opened. The flowers and stems can be dried by hanging them in small bundles in a cool, dark, well-ventilated space. These dried buds can be used to make tea, infuse sugar, or create small, fragrant sachets for drawers and closets.