Lavender Care: What to Do When Lavender Wilts After Transplanting

If your lavender plant is wilting after transplanting, it is often due to root damage, environmental changes, or improper care. Here are practical solutions based on lavender care best practices to help your plant recover.

Common Causes and Solutions

1. Root Damage
   Transplanting inevitably damages some roots, reducing the plant’s ability to absorb water and causing wilting.
   • Solution: Water the plant thoroughly but gently immediately after transplanting to help settle the soil and hydrate the roots. Avoid disturbing the roots further.
2. Improper Watering
   Newly transplanted lavender has specific water needs. Both overwatering and underwatering are harmful. Too much water suffocates roots, while too little causes drought stress.
   • Solution: Keep the soil slightly moist but never soggy. Allow the top inch of soil to dry out between waterings. Proper drainage is crucial.
3. Unsuitable Soil
   Lavender requires well-draining soil. Compacted or poor-draining soil prevents root development and function.
   • Solution: Plant lavender in a mix specifically designed for herbs or cacti/succulents, or amend garden soil with sand, perlite, or gravel to improve drainage.
4. Environmental Change (Transplant Shock)
   Lavender needs time to adjust to its new location. Changes in temperature, humidity, and light can cause temporary wilting.
   • Solution: Place the plant in a spot with partial shade for a few days to recover before gradually moving it to its full-sun location. Protect it from harsh winds.

Ongoing Lavender Care Tips

• Light: Lavender is a full-sun plant and thrives with at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily. It will grow in partial shade but may produce fewer flowers.
• Temperature: Lavender prefers cool to moderate temperatures. The ideal growing range is 15-25°C (59-77°F). It can tolerate temperatures from 5°C to 30°C (41°F to 86°F).
• Fertilizing: For lavender care, less is more. Amend the soil with a handful of bone meal at the time of planting as a base fertilizer. For young plants, use a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer (e.g., 20-20-20). For established plants, use a fertilizer with higher phosphorus content (e.g., 20-30-20) to promote blooms, but apply sparingly.