Spent 4 extra hours on a lavender hedge because I skipped one step

I was trying to edge my garden path with lavender cuttings back in March and they all wilted within a week because I forgot to dip the bottoms in rooting hormone first. Ended up having to drive 30 miles to the nearest garden center for new starter plants and re-do the whole thing in one afternoon. Has anyone else had a simple cottage garden project turn into a whole day ordeal over one missed detail?

2 comments

2 Comments

lewis.drew1mo ago

Man, I don't get the hype with rooting hormone. I've stuck lavender cuttings straight into the ground a dozen times and they take just fine. Maybe your soil was too wet or you watered too heavy right after planting. That extra drive sounds like a pain but I think you overthought the whole thing honestly.

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mila_craig41mo agoTop Commenter

But here's the thing nobody's talking about with lavender specifically - it's a Mediterranean plant. It actually likes poor, rocky soil and drier conditions. So when you stick it straight in the ground, you're basically giving it what it wants. I've had way more success with things like roses or blueberries using rooting hormone. Those need more help getting established. Your mileage may vary of course, but I think people act like rooting hormone is some kind of magic fix when really it's just one tool in the box. For some plants like lavender, it might even be overkill since they root so easily on their own.