Why is my Lavender Turning Brown (How to Fix)

Lavender is an attractive and aromatic flower that can be utilized in various ways. However, sometimes it becomes brown. So let’s dive in and see some of the leading causes of your lavender turning brown.

Why is my Lavender Turning Brown?

The fungal disease known as root rot is the most common cause of why lavenders become brown. The root rot can be caused by excessive humidity or consistently moist soil around the lavender roots and causes leaves and stems that turn brown with an appearance of wilted.

Lavenders with stems, brown leaves, and flowers exhibit signs of stress because of excessive moisture around the roots, not a lack of watering.

The most frequent conditions that cause lavender to change brown color include:

• Soil is draining too slowly
• Overwatering
• Underwatering Lavander
• To much rain
• To much humidity
• Nutrient deficiency

Learn how to implement solutions to these problems and keep lavender from getting into brown…

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You might also like this article: Why is My Yellow Squash Turning Orange?

Soil is draining too slowly. (How to Fix)

Lavenders are relatively low-maintenance plants, but they must be planted on a surface this is porous, well-draining, and doesn’t retain water.

Lavenders have adapted to the deserted Mediterranean coast’s often harsh and neglected conditions. They flourish in sandy and stone-like soils. They have a very low organic content.

Lavenders cannot grow when planted in clay or soil, which prevents water from rapidly infiltrating.

Even soils that drain well but are overly high with organic material (such as garden compost or leaves) could cause problems since this material can retain and hold moisture around the roots for prolonged periods.

Lavender requires soil that has fast drainage to the point where it can dry out between irrigations.

When the ground drains swiftly enough and does not hold water, the roots of the lavender will be able to obtain enough oxygen for respiration, and the chance of developing the rot of roots (Phytophthora nicotianae) will be significantly diminished.

The answer is:

• Add sand or dirt to the area where you plant to ensure that the soil has approximately 1/3 sand and2/3 dirt.
• Transfer lavender to the pot for better drainage.

With the addition of sand and gravel, you can replicate the optimal soil conditions of lavender in its native habitat.

What can be done to alter the planting area:

• Slowly lift the lavender from the ground with a fork and place it aside.
• You should dig the planting area around 18 inches long and deep or as large a space as you can dig. If the soil is inferior drainage, the bigger the area you can amend, the more efficient.
• If you have clay or heavy soil, it is recommended to distribute the soil around the garden. Replace it with 2/3 organic compost and 1/3, either gravel or sand, and then mix it evenly over the planting area.
• Replant the lavender, and let it dry for a few days before watering if most of the leaves are brown.

An alternative is to transfer your lavender to a pot and then allow it to dry. Pick a pot that’s at least 16 inches in size with drainage holes at the bottom.

You might also want to read this article: Why Is My Cilantro Turning Yellow?

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Lavenders do well in pots since they are an excellent drainage plant and are simpler to alter the soil to ensure that it’s well-drained. I have a post that will help you choose the ideal soil mix to plant lavender in pots and containers so that the lavenders can last longer and produce the highest amount of flowers and scent.

Let the lavender dry for two weeks before watering, and ideally, if it is placed in a pot, place it in a covered area to shield him from the rain.

The color of the lavender has changed, and They do not always recover from root rot. However, planting or moving them to their favorite soils is most effective thing you can do.

Overwatering (How to Fix)

Another reason for the color of lavender changing is excessive watering. Lavenders are indigenous to the dry regions in the southern part of France, Italy, and Spain, in which the annual rainfall is minimal throughout the year, the temperatures are incredibly high, and scorching sunlight in the summer months.

The lavender has been modified to become a drought-tolerant plant that thrives in terms of its growth, scent, and flowering under these conditions.

If you are watering lavender too often, it will not get the chance to dry correctly, and root rot and brown foliage is inevitable.

• Established lavenders need to be kept watered at least twice a week. If there was a lot of rainfall during the two weeks, do not water until the soil surrounding is dry to the depth of a finger.
• The newly established or transferred lavender plants require extra care after planting, water well, and ensure water every two days over the initial two weeks to prevent the shock of transplantation. After two weeks, decrease the watering frequency to once per week during the initial three months. In the following three months, you should water twice a week.
• Avoid watering the lavender The lavender should not be watered during the winter months since the lavender will go dormant. The cold, wet soils of winter are when lavenders turn brown most frequently; therefore, avoid watering them all at once unless you are growing the lavender indoors; then, it is recommended to water lightly once every 4 to 6 weeks is sufficient.

The ideal time to grow or transfer lavender is in spring. However, if your leaves, stems, and flowers become brown, move your lavender to a new home as soon as possible, no matter the season. year.

The best lavenders grow in a soak-and-dry style. So, always give your lavender plenty of water however, only water it every two weeks once it’s established.

Be aware that lavender is drought-resistant therefore, over-watering is more problematic than watering too much, and if your area receives many showers of rain, you might not have to keep your lavender watered every week for a long stretch.

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Underwatering Lavander (How to fix)

If lavender does not receive enough water, it may also turn brown. This is typically caused by the plant being planted in a pot that is too small or by insufficient watering. The most straightforward approach to solve this issue is to use a sufficiently large container for the lavender plant you have and to give it regular waterings.

Try to maintain a regular watering routine for your lavender, if only to check the soil’s moisture content. Remember that compared to colder weather or shade, your lavender will require more watering during hot summer days if it is in the light all day.

And additional factors to consider if you’re cultivating a lavender plant inside!

Too much rain (How to fix)

Lavenders can grow in areas with high rainfall. There is the cultivation of lavender throughout England and commercial farms of lavender in Washington state, US.

In the case of areas with high rainfall that are in contrast to native lavenders found in warm, dry Mediterranean areas, the soil’s structure and drainage become more vital, and water must drain away from the roots as swiftly as is feasible.

In addition, lavender likely will not require any watering in these conditions and will receive enough humidity from the surrounding environment.

If your lavender is turning brown due to heavy rains, There are two options to do.

• Add sand or gravel to your mix (up to 50% in volume)
• The lavender is protected from rain (much easier to do this in pots)

The soil’s ability to drain quickly is crucial for all lavenders; however, it is vital to prevent root rot and the brown and scaly look in areas that receive a lot of rainfall.

The excess of sand or gravel is better than not enough to sustain friendly dried lavender root systems therefore be generous. Lavenders can thrive and create a stunning bloom in 50 percent sand or even gravel with compost, particularly in areas with high rainfall.

You can also transfer lavenders to a pot or raised beds as this will boost the rate of drainage and thus decrease the likelihood that the roots will rot.

Pots can also be relocated under cover in the event of heavy rain in the coming days, giving the plant time to dry out. But remember to bring the pots back to a sunny location. The lavenders thrive in full sunlight.

(Read my article on how to grow lavender in containers.)

With enough time for the soil to dry, the lavender will be recovered depending on the severity of root rot and the brown foliage.

Too much humidity (How to fix)

There are varieties of lavender that are immune to cold, but there isn’t a lavender that is tolerant of constant excessive humidity. Moisture creates an environment in which lavenders can be susceptible to root rot.

Lavenders thrive best in an open space and should be planted a couple of feet apart to ensure plenty of airflow into the foliage.

Avoid planting lavender too close to or too close to plants with no airflow. This can create a microclimate that can be more humid than the surroundings.

Get rid of any organic matter in late autumn (such as fallen leaves) that may build up around lavender plants and trap excess moisture, which could increase humidity.

While visiting lavender farms in California, the owners of the farms were insistent that using a decorative white mulch would reflect light on the plant (which boosts the flowering process as well as oil production) and decrease humidity, which reduces the risk of root rot and help maintain the plant.

Nutrient deficiency (How to fix)

It can also turn brown when it isn’t getting the nutrients it requires. It is typically because the plant has been planted in soil that isn’t of the highest quality or isn’t fertilized frequently.

If you find your lavender changing color and doesn’t seem to be getting enough water, consider when you last fertilized your plants. Be sure to use an excellent potter mix to fertilize the lavender at least once a year.

Other reasons the reason why lavender becomes brown

Other issues that are less well-known that can cause lavender to turn brown be caused by diseases, pests, or other issues that aren’t water-related or could be a problem for the plants around it.

Pests: You may notice how your plant of lavender has turned brown, and you notice small insects on your plant, likely due to insects. The best solution to this issue is to treat your lavender plant with an insecticide.

Disease: In case your lavender plant is becoming brown, and you notice spots on your stems or leaves It is most likely caused by disease. The best solution to the problem is to treat the lavender plant with a Fungicide.

Companion plantings are ideal for numerous plants; however, certain plants could rival each other for nutrients, water, or shades from your lavender. Make sure to select the appropriate plants to be planted near your lavender instead of competing for space!

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FAQs

What is causing my lavender plants to turn brown?

Typically, a shift in color from green to yellow or brown indicates root rot. Simply put, this is a condition brought on by excessively damp soil or air moisture. Usually, these plants need to be transplanted immediately into dry, porous soil.

Does lavender turn brown during the winter?

Yes, lavender does turn brown in the winter, mainly when the soil is too damp for a long time. Brown lavender may grow in chilly areas that are unsuitable for lavender.

Do I need to cut the brown lavender?

No, you shouldn’t entirely remove the brown foliage from the lavender plant. You can trim the branches, but leave the plant with 2 inches of leaves so it can regrow.

Conclusion

Lavender is a gorgeous and fragrant plant that’s easy to cultivate. However, sometimes lavender begins to brown, but it’s difficult to determine the reason.

If you are aware of the most frequent causes of lavender turning brown, which are water and nutrient issues, humidity, and seasonality, you can make steps to address the issue.

If you take a few minutes to care for it, the lavender plant will return to its original beauty within a few minutes!