{"id":477,"date":"2025-11-24T11:08:09","date_gmt":"2025-11-24T09:08:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.tadoley.com\/?p=477"},"modified":"2025-11-24T11:08:09","modified_gmt":"2025-11-24T09:08:09","slug":"how-to-grow-lavatera","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.tadoley.com\/?p=477","title":{"rendered":"How to grow lavatera"},"content":{"rendered":"

Lavatera is a genus of annuals, biennials, perennials or shrubs that have large open blooms in white or pink. Lavatera are part of the mallow family and have recently been moved to the Malva<\/em> genus, but are still widely known as lavatera. With their long flowering season and range of different plant types, lavateras are good for a variety of planting situations, including growing as border shrubs, filling gaps or including in a summer container display. Lavatera flowers are attractive to bees and other pollinating insects.<\/p>\n

Where to grow lavatera<\/h3>\n

\"Shrubby<\/p>\n

Lavatera grow best in fertile, well-drained soil in full sun, ideally in a sheltered spot out of cold, drying winds. They won\u2019t thrive in windy positions or waterlogged soil.<\/p>\n

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When to plant lavatera<\/h3>\n

Annual lavatera can be sown from seed in early spring and planted out in late spring. Perennial varieties can be bought as young plants and planted out in spring, providing the ground isn’t waterlogged or frozen.<\/p>\n

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How to plant lavatera<\/h3>\n

Sow annual lavatera seeds in trays under cover. When seedlings are large enough to handle, pot on and harden off before planting out into borders. When planting perennial or shrubby lavatera, dig a generous hole, adding compost for drainage and a handful of mycorrhizal fungi to encourage good root development.<\/p>\n

If you’re growing lavatera in a container, choose a compact variety and a container with good drainage holes. Plant perennial and shrubby lavatera in a soil-based compost, such as peat-free John Innes No. 3. Place the container in a sheltered, sunny spot, for example in front of a south-facing wall.<\/p>\n

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How to care for lavatera<\/h3>\n

\"Lavatera<\/p>\n

Lavatera are easy to grow and shouldn’t require feeding or watering once established in the ground. Plants in containers will benefit from annual top dressing with an organic mulch and they’ll need regular watering in hot weather.<\/p>\n

One advantage of growing lavatera in containers is that it’s quick and easy to bring tender varieties into an unheated greenhouse over the winter. Plants in containers only require minimal watering during the winter.<\/p>\n

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How to prune lavatera<\/h3>\n

Herbaceous perennial lavatera will die back in winter. Leave dead material over the winter months to provide shelter for wildlife and cut back in early spring before the new growth begins. Prune shrubby lavatera, such as Lavatera maritima<\/em>, in spring. Cut stems back to within a bud or two of the previous year\u2019s cuts to maintain the woody framework and remove any dead, diseased, damaged or crossing stems.<\/p>\n

Sub-shrubs like \u2018Barnsley\u2019 and \u2018Barnsley Baby\u2019 should be tidied in autumn and then pruned hard in late spring by cutting stems back to 30cm from ground level. Reduce the stems of any large lavateras by up to half in autumn to prevent damage from wind rock.<\/p>\n

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How to propagate lavatera<\/h3>\n

If you want to grow your existing annual or biennial lavatera in subsequent years, let some flowerheads develop into seedpods and save the seeds. You can then sow these seeds in spring, but they might not come true, which means any new plants won\u2019t necessarily look like their parents. Alternatively, you can take softwood cuttings<\/a> from perennial and shrubby lavatera.<\/p>\n

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Pests and diseases<\/h3>\n

Lavatera are generally pest-free but can be prone to rust and fungal diseases. Remove affected foliage as and when you spot signs of disease.<\/p>\n

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Advice on buying lavatera<\/h2>\n