A cool (rather than warm) room is best for the winter, to keep the plant hardened for when you place it back outside.If you only have a garage, cellar, or shed with no light, consider a grow light timed for winter’s natural light ( here is a great article with tips for that). Container plants will still need some light, so ideally place them next to a window if you don’t have a greenhouse.Do not water until the soil is dry at least 1 inch below the surface.The pot should be as big, but not much bigger, than the plant foliage (not including stems). You do not need a pot much larger than the plant’s root ball – you do not want the roots sitting in moist soil.Make sure you have a mixture of 25-50% sand in your soil, but do not add a layer of gravel or rocks at the bottom (which is a gardening myth, and can actually lead to more root rot).*.Choose a variety that is smaller and good for containers, such as “Thumbelina”.If you’ve had bad luck in the past and don’t want to risk the trauma of losing your lavender again, or if you live in hardiness zone 3 or below (bless your frozen heart), or you can’t be bothered to knit your lavender little sweaters each winter to keep them warm, you can always plant your lavender in containers and move the plants into a greenhouse or your home for the winter. This has the added benefit of being completely adorable, and an excellent conversation starter with your neighbors.* Another option is to dress your lavender in knitted sweater cozies, ideally with lavender themes on the front.Remove the covering in the spring when the temperatures warm up. If you don’t get a good reliable snow cover, cover your plant bases with a well draining mulch, such as pea gravel, and/or cover the plant itself with a breathable fabric cover (like burlap or gardening blanket fabric), to protect from wind and freezing temperatures.Strong roots will help the plant to survive harsh conditions. In the fall, always prune the plants back (see our tips on pruning) – good pruning will establish a good root ball and help develop a strong woody base for the plant.Young lavender plants need more frequent watering than established plants (the plants have a shorter window of time between “don’t water” and “I’m dying of thirst”), but still do not overwater – always make sure the soil is dry before watering again.Do not plant the lavender outside until all danger of frost has passed for your area.Tips for planting lavender outside in colder zones (hardiness zones 4-6):
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