English lavender [Miss Muffet] Lavandula angustifolia Miss Muffet = 'Scholmis'

👤 Non-toxic to humans

🐾 Non-toxic to pets

🌸 Blooming

🍪 Edible

‍🌱 Easy-care

ABOUT

[Miss Muffet] is a dwarf evergreen shrub to 30cm, with narrow, grey-green leaves and violet-blue flowers in mid and late summer

Plant Info

Care

Common Problems

About this plant

Names
- Family
  Lamiaceae
- Synonyms
  Lavender Miss Muffet, English Lavender Miss Muffet, True Lavender Miss Muffet
- Common names
  Lavandula angustifolia Miss Muffet.
Characteristics
- Life cycle
  Perennials
- Foliage type
  Evergreen
- Color of leaves
  Green
- Flower color
  Varies
- Height
  1-2 feet (30-60 cm)
- Spread
  2-3 feet (60-90 cm)
- Plant type
  Shrub
- Hardiness zones
  5-9
- Native area
  Mediterranean

Benefits

General Benefits
- Aesthetic Appeal: Lavender is well-known for its attractive purple flowers, which can add a pop of color and visual interest to gardens or landscapes.
- Fragrance: The plant emits a pleasant and calming scent that is cherished in gardens and used in aromatherapy and perfumes.
- Drought Resistance: As a hardy plant, lavender is tolerant to dry conditions, making it suitable for xeriscaping and low-water gardens.
- Easy to Grow: Lavender is relatively low maintenance and can thrive with minimal care, making it an excellent choice for novice gardeners or those with limited time.
- Bee and Pollinator-Friendly: The flowers of lavender attract bees and other pollinators, which is beneficial for the health of gardens and the environment.
- Culinary Use: Lavender flowers and leaves are edible and can be used to add flavor to various dishes and drinks.
- Landscape Versatility: It can be planted in borders, as part of a perennial bed, in containers, or used for creating hedges or walkway borders.
- Herbal Craft Uses: Dried lavender flowers are often used in sachets, potpourri, and other scented craft projects.
Medical Properties
- Anxiolytic effects: Lavender is widely recognized for its calming and relaxing properties, which may help reduce anxiety.
- Sleep aid: The soothing scent of lavender can improve sleep quality and help with insomnia or other sleep disorders.
- Antibacterial properties: Components in lavender oil have been found to possess antibacterial activity.
- Anti-inflammatory effects: Lavender may help reduce inflammation and relieve pain associated with various conditions.
- Antiseptic properties: Lavender oil is used for its ability to clean wounds and prevent infection.
- Antifungal activity: Some studies show lavender has antifungal effects, particularly against Candida species.
- Skin care: Lavender may promote healing of minor burns, cuts, and other skin irritations due to its antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties.
- Antioxidant activity: Compounds in lavender can act as antioxidants, which may protect cells from oxidative stress.
Air-purifying Qualities
This plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses
- Lavender sachets for drawers and closets can help deter moths and infuse clothes with a pleasant fragrance.
- Infused lavender water is used in ironing to give linens a soft, fresh scent.
- As a flavoring agent, lavender can be included in baked goods like scones or shortbread for a subtle floral essence.
- Lavender is used in crafting natural dyes that can impart varying shades of blue and purple to fabrics and wools.
- The plant can be incorporated into potpourri mixes for a refreshing scent in the household.
- In beekeeping, planting lavender nearby can encourage bees to produce a lightly floral honey.
- As part of landscape design, lavender makes attractive low hedges or borders that require minimal maintenance.
- Lavender's strong scent is utilized in homemade natural cleaning solutions for its pleasant aroma and associations with cleanliness.
- Dried lavender stalks can be used as fire starters, adding a fragrant boost to a fireplace or campfire.
- By adding dried lavender buds to bath salts or bath bombs, a soothing and aromatic bathing experience can be created.

Interesting Facts

Feng Shui
Lavender is commonly used in Feng Shui to introduce calming energy, promote relaxation, and aid in better sleep. Place lavender in the bedroom or living areas to turn them into a sanctuary for tranquility and harmony. Its purple color can also be used in the Wealth sector (southeast) to potentially stimulate financial prosperity.
Zodiac Sign Compitability
Lavender is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism
- Calmness: Lavender is often associated with calmness due to its soothing fragrance, which is commonly used in aromatherapy to relieve stress and anxiety.
- Purity: The clean and fresh scent of lavender is symbolic of purity and cleanliness, making it a popular choice in cleansing rituals and products.
- Devotion: Lavender can be a symbol of devotion as it is known for its ability to thrive in harsh conditions with minimal care, representing the endurance of love.
- Silence: In the language of flowers, lavender can signify silence. This arises from the belief that its fragrance brings about a sense of peacefulness and quiet.
- Protection: Historically, lavender was thought to ward off evil spirits and used in protective sachets.
- Healing: Due to its various medicinal properties, lavender is often symbolic of healing, both physical and emotional.
- Grace: The elegant and gentle appearance of the lavender plant can be reflective of grace and sophistication.

💧

Every 1-2 weeks

Water

☀️

10000 - 20000 Lux

Light

💦️

Humidity

🪴

Every 2-3 years

Repotting

🌱️

Spring to Summer

Propogation

✂️️

As needed

Pruning

Water
English lavender should be watered deeply but infrequently, as it is drought-tolerant once established. During the growing season, water the plant when the soil is nearly dry, typically once every 1 to 2 weeks, depending on the climate and weather conditions. Provide about 1 gallon per plant each time you water, ensuring that the moisture reaches the root zone. During the winter months, watering can be reduced, as the plant requires less moisture. Be cautious not to overwater, as lavender is sensitive to root rot due to excessive moisture.
Light
English lavender thrives best in full sunlight, requiring a minimum of 6 to 8 hours of direct sun each day. It's ideal to place the plant in a spot that receives unobstructed sunlight throughout the day to encourage healthy growth and abundant flowering.
Temperature
English lavender prefers temperate climates and grows best when the temperature ranges between 60°F to 70°F. It can tolerate temperatures down to about 10°F but may need protection or mulching in areas with cold winters. In hotter regions, the plant can survive up to 90°F but may require additional watering to cope with the heat.
Pruning
English lavender should be pruned annually to maintain its shape and encourage new growth. Prune right after the first flowering, or in early to mid-spring when new growth appears, removing about a third of the plant. Regular pruning also helps prevent woodiness at the base and promotes a bushy growth habit. The best time for a heavier prune is in the spring, just as the plants start to leaf out.
Cleaning
As needed
Soil
Lavender (Lavandula) thrives in well-draining, sandy or gravelly soil with a pH between 6.5 and 8. A mix with equal parts of sand or gravel, garden soil, and compost or organic matter is ideal. Regularly check for soil drainage and avoid overwatering to prevent root rot.
Repotting
Lavender typically requires repotting every two to three years to refresh the soil and accommodate root growth. To avoid overpotting, choose a pot only one size larger than the current one.
Humidity & Misting
Lavender prefers a dry to moderate humidity environment and can tolerate the low humidity levels typically found indoors. Avoid high humidity settings to reduce the risk of fungal diseases.
Suitable locations
- Indoor
  Place lavender in a sunny spot with good air flow.
- Outdoor
  Full sun, well-drained soil, shelter from harsh winds.
- Hardiness zone
  5-9 USDA
Life cycle
The life cycle of Lavandula angustifolia Miss Muffet, commonly known as English lavender 'Miss Muffet', begins with seed germination, where the tiny seeds need well-draining soil, warmth, and light to sprout. Following germination, the seedlings develop into young plants with distinct lavender foliage, which then mature and become established, forming compact shrubs with grey-green, aromatic leaves. Once mature, the plant enters the flowering stage annually, usually in late spring to summer, during which time it produces its characteristic purple flowers that are highly attractive to bees and butterflies. After pollination, which is primarily facilitated by these insects, the flowers develop into seed capsules, if not deadheaded. If the seeds are allowed to mature, they can be dispersed by wind or manually collected for propagation. The plant may enter a period of dormancy in winter, especially in colder climates, but it remains evergreen in milder winters and resumes active growth with the return of warmer temperatures.
Propogation
- Propogation time
  Spring to Summer
- Lavender, specifically Lavandula angustifolia 'Miss Muffet', is commonly propagated by semi-ripe cuttings during the summer. This involves selecting healthy, non-flowering stems and cutting a length of about 3 to 4 inches (8 to 10 cm) with a clean, sharp knife or pruners. The lower leaves are stripped off, and the cut end can be dipped into a rooting hormone powder to encourage root growth. The cutting is then placed in a well-draining potting mix, ensuring that the soil is kept moist but not waterlogged. The pot should be placed in a warm, light area but out of direct sunlight until roots have developed, which can take up to several weeks. After the cuttings have rooted and established, they can be transplanted into individual pots or into the garden.