Description

Lavender is a flowering, drought-tolerant perennial shrub in the mint family, easily identified by its sweet floral scent. It is believed to be native to the Mediterranean, the Middle East, and India, with a history dating as far back as 2,500 years. While not native to Sri Lanka, it has been introduced and can be cultivated in certain regions of the country, primarily grown for its ornamental value and essential oil production.

Lavender cultivation in tropical climates is valuable as it enhances biodiversity by attracting pollinators, aids in pest control, and can be grown on marginal lands without competing with food crops. Additionally, lavender supports local herbal medicine practices and promotes sustainable agriculture, making it a beneficial crop.

Planting requirements

Planting season: Late October to early December

Planting conditions:

Growing conditions:

Harvesting

Lavender is a slow growing plant and will typically take until the next planting season to flower. Harvest flowering stems when buds first open.

Curing

Cut flowers on a dry day, tie them into small bunches, and hang upside down in a well-ventilated area to dry. In Sri Lanka's humid climate, ensure proper air circulation to prevent mold.

Storage

Store dried lavender in an airtight container away from light and heat for up to 1 year. In Sri Lanka's humid environment, consider adding silica gel packets to prevent moisture absorption.

Protecting your plants

Pest control

Pest type:

• Spider Mites
• Scale Insects
• Aphids
• Mealybugs
• Fungus Gnats

Symptoms:

• Spider Mites: Fine webbing on leaves, yellow speckling, and leaf drop.
• Scale Insects: Sticky residue on leaves, deformed foliage, and visible bumps on stems.
• Aphids: Curling leaves, sticky honeydew residue, and the presence of ants attracted to the honeydew.
• Mealybugs: White, cottony clusters on stems and leaves.
• Fungus Gnats: Adult flies visible around the soil; larvae can damage roots.

Control method:

• Spider Mites: Use soapy water sprays, introduce predatory mites, or apply miticides like abamectin for severe infestations.
• Scale Insects: Remove by hand with rubbing alcohol on cotton swabs or use horticultural oil to smother larger infestations.
• Aphids: Introduce beneficial insects like ladybugs or use insecticidal soap to manage populations.
• Mealybugs: Hand removal with alcohol-soaked cotton swabs or application of insecticidal soap.
• Fungus Gnats: Allow soil to dry out between waterings and use yellow sticky traps to catch adults.

Disease Control

Disease type:

• Root Rot
• Alfalfa Mosaic Virus
• Septoria Leaf Spot
• Lavender Shab

Symptoms:

• Root Rot: Wilting leaves, yellowing foliage, and discolored root tissue.
• Alfalfa Mosaic Virus: Yellow patches on leaves that curl and distort.
• Septoria Leaf Spot: Tiny grey spots on leaves that expand, leading to leaf death.
• Lavender Shab: Brown stems with black spots; sudden wilting of shoots.

Management:

• Root Rot: Improve soil drainage and avoid overwatering; remove infected plants to prevent spread.
• Alfalfa Mosaic Virus: Uproot and dispose of infected plants immediately; sanitize tools to prevent spread.
• Septoria Leaf Spot: Keep foliage dry by ensuring good air circulation; remove infected leaves and apply organic fungicides like neem oil.
• Lavender Shab: There is no cure; remove and destroy infected plants while wearing gloves to prevent contamination.

Sources

In addition to our General List of Sources (link), we used these specific references: