Why Lavender Is Such a Great Plant to Have Around the House

Lavender is a very popular plant for herb gardens as well as general landscaping. It has nice, lacy foliage and attractive purple blooms in the summer, and of course, it smells delightful. Because it is Mediterranean, it is also drought-tolerant and can take both hot summer days (to USDA Zone 9) and chilly winter nights (to USDA Zone 5).

Lavender generally can grow to three feet tall and easily spread out just as wide. It likes full sun, and though it will tolerate many conditions, it does best in well-draining, somewhat dry soil. It is a short-lived perennial plant, though it can struggle to survive severe weather conditions, particularly cold and/or wet conditions. Pruning it annually, when new growth appears, will help to keep it healthy.

There are many varieties of lavender, with French, English, and fringe being three of the most popular. These are easy to find at nurseries or online, and with one plant, it’s possible to replicate and multiply lavender via softwood cuttings in the spring or hardwood cuttings in the fall. For those in really cold climates, lavender also grows well in pots.

Now, why exactly should you be growing lavender? So many reasons.

Source: Epic Gardening/YouTube

Lavender Is Easy to Grow and Reproduce

When a useful plant is easy to grow and easy to replicate, it deserves to be in the garden. Lavender withstands drought very well, tolerates heat, and survives sub-zero temperatures. It doesn’t need great soil and produces a richer aroma with less than fertile soil. The ability to readily multiply it from cuttings means that for the cost of one plant, the garden can become replete with lavender.

Lavender Is Edible

While it might not be the most popular flavor in home cuisine, lavender is edible. It is commonly used for tea, and it can be put into desserts as well. Lavender blends agreeably into fresh lemonade and iced tea, too. It pairs beautifully with blueberries (both harvested at the same time) and adds something special to ice creams and sorbets. Any plant that also provides food gets serious bonus points.

Source: Healing From The Earth/YouTube

It Has A Lot of Medicinal Uses

Investigate the plant world enough, and it seems just about everything was at one point used by someone to treat some sort of ailment. Luckily, lavender has a pretty well-trodden track record here. It is used to relieve stress, improve blood circulation, repel insects, minimize menstrual cramps, treat cuts/scrapes, and promote good sleep.

It’s A Great Pest Repellent

Lavender is fantastic in gardens and around sitting areas because it repels pests very well. Fleas and flies dislike it, as do mosquitoes. It can also help to keep spiders and silverfish out of the house. This, along with its wonderful aroma, makes lavender a great plant to put near patio spaces or even to keep as a potted plant on the porch.

Source: Morag Gamble: Our Permaculture Life/YouTube

The Smell of Lavender is Relaxing

Lavender’s scent is famous for creating a soothing effect. This is yet another reason to keep it growing near places where people might be spending time. Most of us use our patios and porches as spots to chill out, so why not up the ante with some lavender in those spaces? It’s also great to set on the bedside table or near a favorite chair.

Pollinators Love It

Lavender plants bloom in late spring or early summer, and they send up dozens of purple flowers that pollinators—hummingbirds, butterflies, bees—absolutely love. Attracting pollinators will, of course, help the vegetable garden reach its full harvest potential. Plus, it’s so nice to sit and watch pollinators do their little dance atop the flowers.

Source: Tending to Home/YouTube

Dried Lavender Is Perfect For Crafts

It’s important to prune lavender every year, the plant in spring, and deadheading flowers in the summer. All those clippings are ideal for all sorts of craft projects, particularly stuff where the aroma counts. Potpourri is a good one, as are homemade bath salts and bathtub teas. Dried flower arrangements make the room look nicer and can provide pleasant bouquets. They can also be added candles. Oh, the list goes on.

With a plant so versatile and willing to grow, it’s hard to think of a reason not to have it around the house. Growing lavender just makes sense!

Related Content:

• How to Add Fragrant Lavender to Your Cooking
• 15 Plant-Based Lavender Dessert Recipes to Promote Natural Calm
• How Using Lavender Helps Relieve Anxiety Symptoms
• How Lavender Oil Can Change Your Life
• 10 Ways to Use Lavender Oil on Your Body and in Your Home

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