Lavender can be difficult to start from seed, it may be easier to purchase healthy plants from a favorite grower.

When you knock the lavender plant from its pot, spread the roots and place it in a hole that accommodates the roots. A lavender's root system is a lot bigger than the plant is! Place roots in a mixture of bone meal, chicken manure and soil to help release organics that promote both root and leaf growth.

Lavender plants tolerate many growing conditions, but thrive in warm, well drained soil. The soil should be well worked, well drained and loose enough to dig your bare hands in easily. Some sand and well rotted compost will get the plant off to a good start. A lean soil will encourage a higher concentration of oils. An alkaline and especially a chalky soil will enhance lavender's fragrance.

Lavender does not like wet roots. A gentle slope or raised bed are good choices in soil with less than perfect drainage.

Space your plants so that they will have plenty of air around them when they are grown and flowering; their branches should not touch. Remove a few branches from the interior of the plant to open it up. After winter, remove dead leaves from the base of the plant.

Sand or pea gravel make better mulches than heavier barks. A mulch of sand will moderate the soil temperature and reflect heat and light up to the plant. Some think this helps to prevent fungal diseases. More heat creates more fragrant blooms.

Lavender thrives in full sun. Try to plant it where it will get eight hours of sun a day. If you have your plants in containers, less sun is better if you cannot water them as often as needed.

Lavender is particularly drought resistant after they are mature and well established. However, during the first year, they need to be watered regularly, especially during the hottest summer days. Don't forget to keep watering into the fall if you encounter a dry spell.

An issue in the southeastern and some Midwestern states. Damp, still air can make the plant more susceptible to root rot and other maladies. Good air circulation and proper drainage can increase your chances of success.

Plants that are not well pruned have a tendency to fall open in the middle and sprawl. Although lavender plants get regularly pruned simply by harvesting the flowers, to keep them well shaped and to encourage new growth, a bit of late fall or early spring pruning is in order. Aggressive annual pruning will maintain a beautifully shaped plant and maximize flower production. Leave approximately 1" of green foliage on plant when pruning.

When your lavender has blossomed, the flowers can be picked for many uses. If you desire a fresh bouquet, pick the blossoms when half of the flowers on the blossom head have opened. If you are picking to dry the bundle for crafting or sachet, pick when three-quarters of of the blossoms are open.