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The Kitchen Table

Overwintering Mona Lavender?

14 years ago

I was going to post this over on one of the plant forums.. but had no idea where to post there, so I'll try here first.

I have a large (about 3 foot diameter) Plectranthus (Mona Lavender) that I would like to bring inside and overwinter in my sun room. It will have bright light, but not direct sunlight. Everything I read says they should be pruned in the spring. It is really large though, so I would like to cut it back some now before bringing it inside the house. Not sure if this will hurt it or not and I'm not really sure how to cut it back (cut just a bit off or a lot)??

Thanks for any help!

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Comments (7)

phyllis__mn
14 years ago
Just called a friend who has been growing one for years; she said she does her heaviest butchering in the spring, but if it is too large in the fall, she hacks away! I know she cuts off quite a bit as it is a fast grower.
lydia1959
Original Author
14 years ago
Thanks Phyllis!!!
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Alyson Beridon
7 years ago
I know this is a REALLY old thread but I’m having trouble finding good info on overwintering Mona lavender. I’m in Zone 5...do I have to bring it in? I do have a sunroom, but I planted it in a bed not realizing it might not winter well. Should I risk transplanting it to a pot (it’s also pretty big) or is the bigger risk making it go through an Ohio winter outside?
Summer
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
Alyson - Mona Lavender is not hardy in Zone 5. You can transplant it into a pot to bring indoors, or you can propagate by rooting cuttings either in water or soil.
OklaMoni
7 years ago
You should look in to what kind of Lavender is growing at the lavender labyrinth in Michigan... if theirs overwinters, it should overwinter in other northern states too I would venture.

I have no knowledge about moving lavender indoors for the winter. Sorry.

http://www.cherrypointmarket.net/
Summer
7 years ago
Mona Lavender is not a Lavender but Plectranthus, with beautiful lavender colored flowers.
Pat Captain
6 years ago
I have one I've overwintered for a couple of years. I put mine in our garage, which is heated to 40-50 degrees I live in Michigan, about zone 5 1/2 where I live. I don't water it either until about March. Then prune and water. Mine is huge too, but I let it be what it is until early spring since I have the room. If I brought it in the house I would cut it back a bit in fall too. They really are a beautiful plant, just loaded with blossoms a couple of times a year, not so much in the hot hot weather though. Mine is still in bloom in the garage in late November.

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