Spanish lavender tree browning and yellowing - Ask Extension
I planted my newly purchased Spanish lavender tree 3 weeks ago with the original container that has a drainage into a larger container. The plant had ...
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Spanish lavender tree browning and yellowing #652400
Asked June 17, 2020, 5:00 PM EDT
I planted my newly purchased Spanish lavender tree 3 weeks ago with the original container that has a drainage into a larger container. The plant had beautiful flowers and now they died off but my concern is the yellowish and brownish color of the plant itself. Is something going on with it? Or is it normal? Was the way I planted it wrong- smaller container in a larger container? Please, advice. I would be sad if I lost this plant. Thank you so much, karin
County Pennsylvania
Expert Response
Thank you for your question. From a site entitled, "Everything Lavender" comes the following information which may help you understand why your lavender is not thriving. I hope it helps you to bring it back. It might also help you to go to Everything Lavender for even more information.
Jeanne
One of the biggest problems and causes of Lavender dying out is the overwatering of potted Lavender or excessive soil moisture for those plants grown in the ground. Lavender grows in loose, slightly sandy or gritty alkaline soil that is fast draining.
Over wet soil conditions leads to fungus and root rot problems. This can cause wilted black leaves where the plant is dying back. Treatment involves cutting back of the diseased areas and allowing the plant to dry out.
Fungus can live almost anywhere. The most common fungii are Botrytis (gray mold) and Pytophthora (root rot.) They occur principally because of excess moisture either in the air or soil.
What can you do? Clear out around the plant as much as possible such as removing dead leaves, stems or debris. Use a heat reflecting mulch of coarse builders sand, pea gravel or washed shells. Use proper spacing when planting to allow good air circulation.
Frequently, once started it is too late to save a plant suffering from this condition. High humidity in the air can promote this type of problem as well. What do you do? You can take cuttings from the remaining healthy sections and root them to get a new plant.
Lavender prefers loose soil that will not compact around its roots preventing the excess moisture from draining away. Place a handful of sand or small gravel in the bottom of your planting hole to allow for good drainage.
Plants occasionally wilt during the heat of the day to conserve moisture if it's really hot. If you see droopy wilting Lavender do not run for water but check back in the early evening and see if the plant looks different before fetching that watering pail.
Plants can wilt from too much water meaning that the roots are waterlogged and cannot absorb what is there. If this happens your plant is a goner. The health of any plant starts with the roots. Happy roots usually mean healthy plant.
Plants do well in dry, stony poor soils which makes it an excellent plant to grow on a hot sunny bank where the water can easily run off.
Yellowing Leaves or Foliage
A Lavender with yellowing leaves is a common problem. Lavender leaves turning yellow are indicative of different things depending on planting conditions. A potted or container grown plant with yellowing foliage could indicate too much or too little nitrogen.
Yellow leaves for those plants grown in the ground usually means a moisture problem so humidity and drainage need improvement . Yellow leaves with a gray or sooty black color is a fungal problem.Lack of Enough Light
The second biggest problem is not enough sun. Lavender comes from a dry climate region that has tons of sun. This plant loves to sunbathe! Think about hot, sunny, breezy days at your favorite beach and you have what it likes.
Choosing the Wrong Location
Frequently people plant Lavender where they want it to be and not where it prefers to be. Find a warm, sunny, airy location, and choose the right Lavender variety for your area. Prepare the soil if necessary by loosening it and adding sand to loosen compacted clay soils and promote much needed drainage.
This is one of the keys to success. A loose friable gritty slightly alkaline soil that is fast draining will make all the difference in the world.
Jeanne
One of the biggest problems and causes of Lavender dying out is the overwatering of potted Lavender or excessive soil moisture for those plants grown in the ground. Lavender grows in loose, slightly sandy or gritty alkaline soil that is fast draining.
Over wet soil conditions leads to fungus and root rot problems. This can cause wilted black leaves where the plant is dying back. Treatment involves cutting back of the diseased areas and allowing the plant to dry out.
Fungus can live almost anywhere. The most common fungii are Botrytis (gray mold) and Pytophthora (root rot.) They occur principally because of excess moisture either in the air or soil.
What can you do? Clear out around the plant as much as possible such as removing dead leaves, stems or debris. Use a heat reflecting mulch of coarse builders sand, pea gravel or washed shells. Use proper spacing when planting to allow good air circulation.
Frequently, once started it is too late to save a plant suffering from this condition. High humidity in the air can promote this type of problem as well. What do you do? You can take cuttings from the remaining healthy sections and root them to get a new plant.
Lavender prefers loose soil that will not compact around its roots preventing the excess moisture from draining away. Place a handful of sand or small gravel in the bottom of your planting hole to allow for good drainage.
Plants occasionally wilt during the heat of the day to conserve moisture if it's really hot. If you see droopy wilting Lavender do not run for water but check back in the early evening and see if the plant looks different before fetching that watering pail.
Plants can wilt from too much water meaning that the roots are waterlogged and cannot absorb what is there. If this happens your plant is a goner. The health of any plant starts with the roots. Happy roots usually mean healthy plant.
Plants do well in dry, stony poor soils which makes it an excellent plant to grow on a hot sunny bank where the water can easily run off.
Yellowing Leaves or Foliage
A Lavender with yellowing leaves is a common problem. Lavender leaves turning yellow are indicative of different things depending on planting conditions. A potted or container grown plant with yellowing foliage could indicate too much or too little nitrogen.
Yellow leaves for those plants grown in the ground usually means a moisture problem so humidity and drainage need improvement . Yellow leaves with a gray or sooty black color is a fungal problem.Lack of Enough Light
The second biggest problem is not enough sun. Lavender comes from a dry climate region that has tons of sun. This plant loves to sunbathe! Think about hot, sunny, breezy days at your favorite beach and you have what it likes.
Choosing the Wrong Location
Frequently people plant Lavender where they want it to be and not where it prefers to be. Find a warm, sunny, airy location, and choose the right Lavender variety for your area. Prepare the soil if necessary by loosening it and adding sand to loosen compacted clay soils and promote much needed drainage.
This is one of the keys to success. A loose friable gritty slightly alkaline soil that is fast draining will make all the difference in the world.
