Growing Lavender in containers

I have no problem growing lavender in the garden in zone 6 but I would like to move a few plants to cement planters that border the herb garden. The containers are 15" long X 8" X 8". The interior planting area is less because they have a V interior space rather than a rectangle. So the planting space is shallow, only 6" at the deepest and 3" at each side. Will they survive with such a shallow root space? And if I can grow them will they overwinter in the planters or would I have to consider them annuals? Right now I have Irises and chives growing in them and they overwinter fine.

The photo shows the lavender plant dormant behind the planter now.

You can always try it. But, I would think your lavender would want twice that space for roots.

Thanks for the reply herbalbetty. I was afraid that was the answer I would get. So it's either get bigger planters or leave them.

Well, this thread subject is perfect for my questions, so thank you for raising the subject, sempervirens.

I have successfully germinated lavender -- actually some of the seeds are still coming out , saw a few new cots today! -- and have sown some more. These are wintersown in plastic jugs.

My intention is to put some out in the ground in an area I believe will work for them, and keep some in containers on the deck also.... but even what goes to be planted out in the ground eventually I want to repot first and allow the plants to develop a bit.

Question is about some home made potting mix for them. I know lavender does not like too much humic or organic matter, needs a lean soil with excellent drainage. I once was successful with a container lavender by simply mixing some good quality organic potting soil about half and half with clean sand.

My problem is right now I have access to very little variety in the way of substances to create a potting medium. I have been -- against all excellent advice of good container growers and experienced wintersowers -- using an organic potting soil for everything, simply because that was what I could get. Well, I have to amend that. I use organic substances exclusively, anyway, and by that of course I mean not chemically or artificially amended, no Miracle Gro or the like. But I am using something that is kind of rich in composted material and does have soil in it..... it is not a soiless mix, for instance.... (one day I would love to be able to build planting media and have access to stuff to do that but can't now.)

So anyway. I am thinking, for my lavender sproutlets, to try just scooping up some of the very poor and sandy dirt out back, sticking it in a baking dish in the oven at around 250* for an hour or so (don't have m-wave, so oven), and then mixing it about half and half with some of my organic potting soil. If I had vermiculite or builders sand or the like, I would use them but I do not, so........................

What do experienced lavender growers think of my plan?

And, if you were going to build a potting mix specifically for container grown lavender, and *did* have full access to various planting media substances, what would you put in it, and in what proportions?

I am eagerly anticipating any and all answers to either question. ;-)

TIA!

Kyla

Kyla, go to ATTRA.org and type in lavender in the search box. You will find LOTS of info on growing lavender.

Personally, I have held lavender plants in pots for a season and they were in soil. In England I grew lavender without sand amendments. Here in NY state, my lavenders do have white sand added to their mounded beds as I have a very high water table.

Thanks for the direction, I'll check that site out.

Reason I was thinking of the sand anyway is once before I had attempted lavender from seed and it sprouted and then never grew....... at that time I was using very rich soil with lots of compost as I didn't know there were plants that didn't like that. Silly me. lol!

Good to know you can just use potting soil, that is very helpful