The Sweet Reason Your Lavender Is Growing In A Flattened Shape

Lavender is one of those great low-maintenance plants that gardeners of all levels can grow around their homes. Showcasing a floral aroma, the ability to attract pollinators, and bright purple flowers, it's a pleasant option to add to any yard space. While pruning lavender is essential to the life of the plant and helps to maintain its round shape, you may be surprised to walk outside and find it lying flat. If you notice that your lavender plant has a flattened shape, you may consider that neighborhood cats (or your sweet pet) may be the culprit. 

Outdoor cats are known to be a nuisance in the yard and garden. Aside from taking an afternoon nap on your beautiful lavender plant, they may also use raised beds as bathrooms, mark their territory in your yard, and scratch up your soil where precious seeds may be growing. Cats can also introduce a whole host of diseases that can be transmitted to humans, so the last thing you will want is them lurking around your lovely foliage. While it may be frustrating to deal with, there are many strategies out there to keep felines out of your lavender for good. 

The first thing you should do is make sure your own sweet cat isn't lounging in your lavender. If you have an outdoor/indoor cat and they insist on sleeping in your plants, consider transitioning them exclusively inside. One way of helping them feel like they are in nature is by creating a playful area in your home that emulates the outdoors. To do this, design a space with different nature-based elements like rocks, grass pads, and their own plants, such as catnip. If this isn't an option for your home, don't panic; there are many other safe and effective ways to cat-proof your plants.

Neighborhood cats or strays often like to make their way into lawns and gardens to cause mischief and wreak havoc. If you want to discourage a cat from getting into your lavender, use leftover citrus peels around the plants. Cats have a natural aversion to citrus scents and may avoid the area altogether if they smell it. Another way to keep your beautiful lavender from growing flat due to a sleepy kitty is by making a physical barrier around the plant. Fencing or deer netting can be used as a way to keep animals such as cats out of your space. Additionally, if you know the owner of the cat, consider a friendly call to your neighbor to see if they can help.

While domestic and wild cats can be a real nuisance in the garden, they may not always be the reason your lavender is growing flat. To make sure your lavender retains its shape, you should mind these steps for maintenance. Once established, lavender should be pruned regularly to create a round and compact shape and to avoid growing flat. To do this effectively, prune in the springtime when you see new growth on the plant. Cut down dead stems and remove wilted flowers as soon as they appear. To keep the compact shape, remove approximately ⅓ to ½ of the plant after you notice it has flowered, and always remember to avoid cutting the woody bottom of the plant, which can cause it to stop growing.

If your lavender plant is still not thriving and appears flat, consider the area where you live. Lavender grows best in a drier, warmer climate because it prefers a lot of direct sunlight. If you live in an area that doesn't get enough sun for the plant to establish a compact shape, consider growing your luscious lavender indoors as a houseplant. Growing your lavender plant inside the home in a planter ensures that you can regularly move it around according to where the best sunlight hits. Another bonus to growing indoor lavender is that it stays safe from bored cats looking for a place to sleep.