How To Take Care Of A Lavender Patio Tree

How to Take Care of a Lavender Patio Tree

Taking care of a lavender patio tree is easier than you might think, and it mostly comes down to lots of sun, light watering, and good airflow.
 
If you’ve been wondering how to take care of a lavender patio tree so it stays bushy and fragrant all season, you’re in the right place.
 
These little standards are basically lavender trained into a mini tree form, which makes them perfect for patios, balconies, and sunny decks.
 
In this post, we’ll walk through how to take care of a lavender patio tree, from watering and pruning to overwintering and repotting.
 
Let’s get into it.
 

How to Take Care of a Lavender Patio Tree: The Basics

Knowing how to take care of a lavender patio tree starts with understanding where it came from.
 
Lavender is a Mediterranean plant, which means it loves hot sun, dry air, and gritty soil that drains fast.
 
A lavender patio tree has the same needs as a regular lavender bush, just in a fancier shape.
 
Here’s what matters most:
 

1. Give It Full Sun

Your lavender patio tree needs at least six to eight hours of direct sunlight every day.
 
Without enough sun, it gets leggy, stops flowering, and becomes more prone to disease.
 
A south-facing patio or balcony is ideal.
 
If you’re taking care of a lavender patio tree indoors, place it near the brightest window you have and rotate it often.
 

2. Water Deeply but Infrequently

Overwatering is the number one killer of lavender patio trees.
 
Let the top inch or two of soil dry out completely before you water again.
 
When you do water, soak it thoroughly until water runs out of the drainage holes.
 
Then wait.
 
In hot summer weather, that might mean watering every few days.
 
In cooler months, you might only water every week or two.
 

3. Use Well-Draining Soil

Lavender hates sitting in soggy soil.
 
If you’re repotting your lavender patio tree, use a mix that’s roughly two parts potting soil to one part perlite or coarse sand.
 
You can also add a handful of grit for extra drainage.
 
Always choose a pot with plenty of drainage holes, because a lavender patio tree in a pot without drainage is a recipe for root rot.
 

Pruning and Shaping Your Lavender Patio Tree

Pruning is a big part of how to take care of a lavender patio tree, since the tree shape doesn’t maintain itself.
 

1. Trim After Flowering

Once the blooms fade, usually in late summer, give your lavender patio tree a light haircut.
 
Cut back about a third of the green growth, but never into the old woody stems.
 
Lavender doesn’t regrow well from bare wood, so staying in the soft green area keeps your tree healthy.
 

2. Remove Spent Flower Spikes

Deadheading throughout the season encourages more blooms and keeps your lavender patio tree looking tidy.
 
Just snip the flower spikes off at the base once they turn brown.
 

3. Maintain the “Standard” Shape

A lavender patio tree has a bare trunk with a rounded head of foliage on top.
 
Pinch or trim any shoots that sprout along the trunk so the tree form stays clean.
 
This also directs energy upward into that pretty canopy.
 

Common Problems When Caring for a Lavender Patio Tree

Even with the best intentions, a few issues pop up when you’re taking care of a lavender patio tree.
 

1. Yellowing Leaves

Yellow leaves usually mean too much water or poor drainage.
 
Check that your pot drains freely and let the soil dry out more between waterings.
 

2. Leggy, Sparse Growth

This is almost always a light problem.
 
Move your lavender patio tree to a sunnier spot and give it a light trim to encourage bushier growth.
 

3. Root Rot

If the base of your lavender patio tree feels mushy or smells sour, root rot has set in.
 
Act fast by repotting into fresh, gritty soil and cutting away any brown, mushy roots.
 

4. Pests Like Aphids and Whiteflies

Lavender is fairly pest-resistant thanks to its oils, but indoor plants can still attract aphids or whiteflies.
 
A quick spray with diluted insecticidal soap usually does the trick.
 

Overwintering and Repotting a Lavender Patio Tree

How to take care of a lavender patio tree in winter depends on where you live.
 

1. Protect It From Hard Freezes

Most lavender varieties handle cold down to about 20°F, but patio trees are more exposed because their roots sit above ground.
 
Move your pot against a sheltered wall, wrap the pot in burlap, and cut back on watering.
 

2. Bring It Indoors If Needed

In colder zones, bring your lavender patio tree inside before the first hard frost.
 
Place it in a cool, bright spot like a sunny garage or unheated porch.
 

3. Repot Every Two to Three Years

Lavender patio trees like being slightly root-bound, but eventually they need fresh soil.
 
Repot in early spring into a pot just one size bigger, using that gritty, well-draining mix.
 

So, How Do You Take Care of a Lavender Patio Tree?

Taking care of a lavender patio tree comes down to full sun, infrequent deep watering, gritty soil, and regular light pruning.
 
If you’ve been wondering how to take care of a lavender patio tree, the short answer is to treat it like the Mediterranean plant it is: hot, dry, and sunny.
 
Watch for yellow leaves and mushy roots as early warning signs, and protect your tree from hard freezes in winter.
 
With a little attention, your lavender patio tree will reward you with fragrant blooms and that lovely tree shape for years.