Many gardeners appreciate lavender for its pleasant smell and gorgeous vividly-colored flowers. And for good reasons! Besides, these Mediterranean-native herbs aren’t particularly challenging to grow (in the proper climate).
However, sometimes, they might present problems. For instance, what should you do if your lavender is not blooming? And what if the flowers it produces are not purple?
Don’t worry: you have landed in the right place to find all the answers to these questions!
Why Is My Lavender Not Blooming?
It might be frustrating to grow lavender without being able to enjoy its stunning blooms. And even more so if your herb looks healthy. But don’t worry, we are here to help you.
The truth is that there are several reasons why lavender might not be blooming. For instance, you might have located it somewhere it doesn’t receive adequate sunlight.
Don’t forget that lavender needs at least six hours of direct lighting per day to thrive and produce plenty of flowers. Without it, your lavender might have some problems with drainage too.
Plant your herb in well-draining soil and keep it well aerated. If your substrate needs some help, consider adding sand or gravel to improve drainage. Remember that plants in containers might require more attention than those living in the ground. Only plant your herb once every two weeks to avoid overwatering.
Another reason your lavender might not produce flowers could be due to overfertilization. As mentioned before, lavender isn’t a heavy feeder: it thrives in low fertility.
And, despite sounding contradictory, the little nutrients provide the best fragrance and flower display. On the other hand, adding fertilizer might give you plenty of foliage, but at the expense of blooms.
Consider making a pH test: lavender will produce better in slightly alkaline soils, ideally at pH levels between 6.5 and 7.5.
Why Are My Lavender Flowers Not Purple?
It might be frustrating not getting flowers from your lavender. But now imagine getting them, but not purple. Don’t worry, it might happen, and you can solve this!
For instance, when the plant doesn’t receive enough sunlight, it might still produce blooms. The problem is that they might come out “discolorated.” The treatment for that might be moving your plant to a different location.
Alternatively, your lavender might turn gray due to frost damage or a fungal infection (caused by overwatering or poor drainage). Under such circumstances, your plant might still produce flowers, but they won’t be purple. To prevent frost damage, move your plant indoors as the temperatures drop.
Feel the soil before adding any water to your lavender: if it’s not dry, wait for a couple of days. With these plants, it is always better not to overdo it. And don’t worry if you feel you are not feeding your plant enough. Lavender is drought resistant and will do better with too little water than too much.
Another reason causing your flowers not to be purple might be a lack of aeration. You might have to prune your lavender regularly to ensure proper airflow. If you planted more than one specimen, don’t forget to plant them at least two to three feet apart.
When Will Your Lavender Bloom?
Don’t forget that your lavender might bloom at different times of the year, depending on the variety. There are about species of this herb, all with similar characteristics and growing requirements but with varying blooming times.
Also, your local climate will affect when your herb displays its first flower of the season. For instance, if you live in a cool climate, where summers aren’t too hot, you might have to wait until July before getting some flowers.
Also, it might be worth mentioning that your lavender might not produce blooms during the first year of its life. Give your plant enough time to adapt to a new environment before getting frustrated at the lack of flowering.
Regardless of the variety, you can expect your lavender to bloom anywhere between late spring and summer. Spanish lavender tends to bloom earlier than other varieties and can be harvested earlier.
Why are my lavender flowers not purple: Conclusion
Finally, pay attention to pruning. While doing it regularly (once per year) will bring plenty of benefits, too much of it might cause several issues.
Indeed, aggressive blooming can prevent your herb from producing stems or even kill your plant.
Related Article: How Long Does it Take to Grow Lavender From Cuttings