The Secret to Watering Lavender in Extreme Heat – Without Overdoing It
Watering advice to keep plants healthy and flowering all summer
Lavender is one of the most drought-tolerant plants you can grow, but even this Mediterranean favorite can benefit from the right watering routine during prolonged hot spells. The trick is knowing when to step in – and when to leave it alone. Too much water is far more likely to damage lavender than too little, especially during summer.
Whether you're growing lavender in borders, gravel gardens or containers, understanding how to water it correctly will help keep plants healthy, fragrant and covered in flowers. While established lavender rarely needs frequent irrigation, heatwaves and extended periods of drought can sometimes call for a different approach.
To find out exactly how often to water lavender in summer, we asked gardening experts to explain how to water plants in hot weather, the warning signs of overwatering, and the simple techniques that will help your lavender thrive through the hottest weather. (And to get started, this is our favorite metal watering can, available from Wayfair, which doubles as a stylish patio feature.)
How Often To Water Lavender in the Ground
Lavender only requires watering in extremely dry periods
Lavender is a drought tolerant plant that hails from the Mediterranean, an area where there is a lot of heat and the soil is poor. It is a plant that does not need much watering and overwatering is a common lavender growing mistake. Water it too much and it can cause root rot, which can seriously damage plants.
The first thing to recommend using if you're not sure how much water to give your lavender is a moisture meter. A great example is this long probe moisture meter, available from Amazon. It can quickly and easily give instant results, and is ideal for deeper pots or for use out in the yard.
Hillary Alger, Flower Product Manager at Johnny’s Selected Seeds, describes lavender as a ‘low-water needs plant’ that is particular about its needs. She says: ‘Plants need ample water, but containers and soil should be well drained. Lavender doesn’t like to have roots constantly drenched.’
Any newly planted lavender should be watered once or twice a week during its first summer.
When the lavender is established then its watering requirements drop. It makes lavender perfect for drought tolerant planting ideas, as it does not need regular watering when established.
It can tolerate dry periods and only really needs watering during extended periods of drought, for example, if there has been no rain for two weeks. In which case, water early in the morning.
In extreme summer heat when watering lots of plants, it helps to have a really good hose, such as the Flexzilla hose from Amazon. It's easy to store, and super lightweight.
Hillary Alger has over 15 years' experience in plant research. She is currently the Product Manager for several crops at Johnny’s Selected Seeds, including flowers, herbs, and microgreens.
How Often To Water Lavender in Pots
Newly planted lavenders will require regular watering to help them establish
When growing lavender in pots, plants need watering more often than those growing in the ground, particularly during periods of hot, dry weather.
Containers dry out much faster, but it's still important to resist watering too frequently. Lavender prefers relatively dry conditions, and constantly damp compost is one of the quickest ways to weaken or kill the plant.
When watering plants in containers, check the compost before reaching for the watering can. Push a finger a couple of inches below the surface – while the top layer may appear dry, there can still be plenty of moisture around the roots.
Alternatively, use a digital moisture meter (available from Ace Hardware) to test the soil.
When it is time to water, soak the compost thoroughly until water begins to drain from the holes in the base of the pot. This deep watering encourages roots to grow down through the container, helping plants become more resilient during summer heat.
It's a good idea to place your pots on metal stands or pot feet, such as these ones from Walmart, to improve drainage and prevent waterlogging.
Allow the compost to dry out again before repeating the process. In the height of a heatwave this may mean watering every few days, whereas in cooler weather established potted lavender may only need a thorough soak every couple of weeks.
What to Shop
A metal sprayer nozzle that offers seven different water patterns for convenience. Easily switch between a center, flat, cone, angle, shower, mist, and jet setting.
A rustic watering can made of heavy-gauge metal with a capacity of 0.8 gallons (3 liters) of water. It has a fine rose attachment for watering delicate plants.
Setting your pots on plant stands will help to improve drainage and keep lavender roots happy, and flowers blooming.
Tough and vibrant, the Phenomenal™ lavender thrives in difficult conditions and is extremely heat tolerant.
A watering want is excellent for hanging baskets, shrubs and those hard to reach areas in your lawn and garden.
Designed to be lightweight and flexible, this hose resists kinks and tangling, making watering more efficient.
Lavender is a really low-maintenance aromatic herb that is perfect for any herb garden ideas.
However, it is possible to overwater it. Watering the plant too regularly, or failing to provide it with soil that drains very well, can both contribute to lavender becoming overwatered.
The signs that a lavender plant is being overwatered will include yellowing or browning leaves, drooping leaves and stems, mold on the surface of the sodden soil. Thankfully, it can recover well. Make sure any container has drainage holes in the bottom and you give lavender a very free-draining soil mix.
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