Repotting guide

When & how to repot Canary Island Lavender (Lavandula canariensis)

Also called Canary Island lavender, Canarian lavender.

More about canary island lavender

About Canary Island Lavender

Lavandula canariensis · also called Canary Island lavender, Canarian lavender · tropical

A vigorous, fast-growing lavender native to the Canary Islands, bearing finely dissected, bright emerald-green ferny foliage very different from the grey leaves of English lavender. It produces slender spikes of pale violet-purple flowers over a long season and thrives in full sun with excellent drainage. Being frost-tender, it should be overwintered under glass in all but the mildest UK or US coastal climates. Lavender is toxic to cats, dogs, and horses according to the ASPCA.

Mature size: 60–120 cm tall and 60–90 cm wide (24–48 in × 24–36 in).

Watch for — Root rot from overwatering: The most common cultural problem; affected plants wilt despite moist compost. Repot into fresh gritty compost, removing all blackened roots, and reduce watering frequency.

How to tell canary island lavender needs repotting

Repotting on a calendar is less reliable than reading the plant. For canary island lavender, watch for these signs:

Roots growing out of the drainage holes, or the rootball lifting the plant proud of the rim.
Soil that has shrunk away from the pot sides and no longer holds water.
The pot is unstable because the plant has grown top-heavy.
Old, compacted, broken-down mix that stays wet too long — for a succulent that is a rot risk, so refresh it even if the pot size is fine.

For the underlying biology of a pot-bound root system and why it stalls a plant, see our guide to spotting and fixing a root-bound plant.

How often to repot canary island lavender

Every 2–3 years, into bone-dry mix. Canary Island Lavender's growth habit — upright, bushy, fast-growing evergreen subshrub with deeply divided, lacy, bright-green leaves. — sets the pace. A vigorous, fast-growing lavender native to the Canary Islands, bearing finely dissected, bright emerald-green ferny foliage very different from the grey leaves of English lavender. It produces slender spikes of pale violet-purple flowers over a long season and thrives in full sun with excellent drainage. Being frost-tender, it should be overwintered under glass in all but the mildest UK or US coastal climates. Lavender is toxic to cats, dogs, and horses according to the ASPCA.

What size pot to step canary island lavender up to

Use a pot only one size up — or even the same pot with fresh gritty mix if the roots have room. Canary Island Lavender stores water and rots in a large pot of slow-drying soil. A tight terracotta pot that dries fast is far safer than a generous plastic one. Never up-pot a succulent by several sizes.

Not sure of the exact diameter? Our pot size calculator takes the current pot and root spread and tells you the right next size — it deliberately recommends a single step up, never a big jump.

The best time of year to repot canary island lavender

Spring or summer, while canary island lavender is in active growth and warm, is best — roots recover fastest then, and the plant is not sitting in cool damp soil. Avoid repotting a succulent in winter dormancy.

Step-by-step: repotting canary island lavender

Repot dry. Do not water canary island lavender for several days first. Working with dry roots and dry mix dramatically lowers the rot risk for a succulent.
Pick a snug, fast-draining pot. Choose terracotta one size up at most, with a drainage hole. Have gritty very well-drained, gritty or sandy loam, ph 6.5–8.0 ready.
Tip it out and clean the roots. Slide the plant out, crumble off the old soil, and trim any black, mushy or dead roots with clean snips.
Pot into dry mix. Set canary island lavender at its original depth in dry gritty mix, firming gently. Do not bury the stem deeper than it was.
Wait a week before watering. Leave it completely dry and out of harsh sun for about 7 days so any damaged roots callus. Only then water lightly.

Aftercare

Keep canary island lavender completely dry and out of fierce sun for about a week so any nicked roots callus before they meet moisture; watering a freshly repotted succulent is the classic way to rot it. Then resume the normal lean, dry rhythm. Do not fertilise for about 3 weeks — fresh mix already carries nutrients and feeding freshly disturbed roots scorches them.

The right soil mix for canary island lavender

Canary Island Lavender wants very well-drained, gritty or sandy loam, ph 6.5–8.0. Cannot tolerate waterlogging at any time; mix coarse horticultural grit into the planting hole or pot compost at a ratio of at least 1:3. Always use fresh mix when you repot — reusing old, broken-down soil reintroduces the compaction and poor drainage you are repotting to fix.

Repotting canary island lavender — frequently asked questions

How often should you repot canary island lavender?

Every 2–3 years, into bone-dry mix for canary island lavender. Repot canary island lavender every 2–3 years into a snug pot of very well-drained, gritty or sandy loam, ph 6.5–8.0, ideally in spring or summer. Let it sit in dry soil and do not water for about a week afterwards so any nicked roots can callus. Over-potting and watering straight away is what rots succulents.

What size pot does canary island lavender need?

When is the best time of year to repot canary island lavender?

Should you water canary island lavender after repotting?

No — not straight away. Repot canary island lavender into dry mix and wait about a week before the first watering so any damaged roots callus over. Watering a freshly repotted succulent is the single most common way to rot one.

Should you fertilise canary island lavender after repotting?

Not immediately. Wait about 3 weeks after repotting canary island lavender. Fresh mix already contains nutrients, and feeding freshly cut or disturbed roots burns them. Resume your normal feeding routine once you see new growth.