Lavender is a frost-hardy evergreen shrub from the Labiosperm family. It has almost twenty-five different subspecies. The birthplace of this fragrant perennial plant is India, the Canary Islands, as well as the Mediterranean.
Lavender got its name from the Latin "lava", meaning "wash." They say that this is what they call it due to the fact that the Romans in ancient times very often took baths with this flower, adding it for aroma and freshness. The smell of this plant is so light and sophisticated that it has long been used in perfumery.
Lavender in natural conditions can grow up to almost one meter. Its ground part has a spherical shape, consisting of numerous branches. On them grow lanceolate-linear opposite leaves with curved edges.
Small lavender flowers are usually located at the end of twigs. They gather in spiky purple or lilac inflorescences.
This representative of the Labret family is very unpretentious, which is why lavender in a pot is not uncommon in many houses and apartments. In addition to gentle beauty, the plant exudes a unique aroma from the oil glands located at the very base of the flower, which produce essential oil.
Lavender at home improves the mood of the inhabitants of the home, purifying the indoor air. In addition, its essential oil has a calming and antispasmodic effect, and the flowers help to cope with insomnia, fatigue and nervous state. Some believe that this decorative fragrant roomman is able to create a particularly comfortable microclimate, therefore, most often lavender is grown at home in the bedroom or in the nursery, protecting the peace and comfort of the inhabitants. Moreover, the plant does not require too painstaking and thorough care.
It is only necessary to take into account that this southern guest produces her aroma only under the sun, therefore it is impossible to place it in the shade. However, the flower grows well and with artificial additional lighting, received at least ten hours a day.
Lavender at home is not demanding on the soil. The most optimal is the flower soil purchased at the store with the addition of a small amount of crushed stone. Plant the plant in a pot with good drainage - expanded clay, small shards or coarse sand.
Those who are engaged in indoor floriculture know that home lavender does not tolerate ordinary garden soil, which, when irrigated, shrinks and begins to “strangle” its root system. The plant does not like excessively dry air, so spraying is never superfluous.
In the spring, after the last frost, it can be taken out to the balcony, however, in the fall, lavender must be brought into a warm room - away from drafts. The roots of this representative of the Labret family are quite superficial and easily freeze along with the soil. Lavender at home prefers regular watering in the evening or early in the morning. Water needs to be taken up, warm, moisturize with it not only the earth, but also the green parts of the flower.
The plant propagates by seeds that germinate only at low temperatures. Lavender at home grows long enough, sometimes the first seedlings appear only after two months. Therefore, in order to have sprouts by spring, it is better to plant seeds at the end of November.