Lavatera: Sowing, planting and harvest calendar
How to sow lavatera outdoors?
Direct sowing mainly suits annual lavatera, including forms of Malva trimestris still commonly sold as Lavatera trimestris. Shrubby lavateras are not all raised this way; cuttings help preserve a particular selection. Before sowing, identify the seed type and the plant’s expected size.
Choose a spring period when the soil has warmed and significant frosts are no longer likely. Sow in a sunny position with free-draining soil. Remove weeds, crumble the surface and mark the area before distributing seeds thinly. Cover lightly and water with a fine rose. Keep the soil moist through emergence without turning it into mud.
Once seedlings are large enough to distinguish from weeds, thin according to the cultivar’s expected spread. About 30 cm may suit some compact annuals, while taller or broader forms need more room. Water young plants regularly as they establish. Look closely at the leaves before responding to a problem: a few aphids do not justify automatic treatment. Preserve insects visiting the flowers and remove competing weeds by hand around the seedlings.
When and how do you plant your lavatera?
How do you care for your lavatera during flowering?
