Lavender is a popular garden plant in the UK, and one gardener has found a common ingredient that helps it grow stronger.Katherine McPhillips, Nicola Roy and Ambarish Awale Trainee Trends, Showbiz and Lifestyle Writer
16:08, 06 Mar 2026
Lavender, known for its calming scent and purple blooms, can have a healthy growth using with a natural ingredient.(Image: Getty Images)
Lavender, prized for its calming scent and vivid purple flowers, is a favourite in gardens across the UK. This spring, gardeners can give their lavender an extra boost by using a simple, natural ingredient.
Jean, a gardening enthusiast and founder of Green Jeane, discovered the surprising benefits of eggshells after accidentally using the wrong sand mix in her herb plant soil. “The lavender also had some of that old sandy mix but also lots of eggshells mixed in, so it was doing much better and I didn’t bother to remove the sand when repotting it.
“I’m amazed at how much bigger and healthier the lavender looks!” she said. The secret lies in the calcium-rich composition of eggshells, which strengthens plants and improves soil drainage, helping prevent lavender from becoming waterlogged.
Lavender prefers neutral to slightly alkaline soil, and eggshells can help reduce acidity, making them an ideal natural amendment, reports the Mirror, especially during early spring growth. Jean recommends eggshells as a straightforward, chemical-free way to nourish lavender, though she notes it can be time-consuming to collect enough.
The expert discovered that adding eggshells, rich in calcium, to soil helped her lavender grow bigger and healthier.(Image: Getty Images)
“My favourite amendment to lighten soil is simply dried and crushed eggshells. I like using Perlite, but it’s very dusty and of course you have to buy it,” she explained. “The only downside to using eggshells is that you have to be patient and save up a lot (or eat lots of eggs!) but I don’t repot that often, so I usually have just enough.”
How to use eggshells as a natural lavender feed
To use eggshells as a natural fertiliser, gardeners should rinse them thoroughly after cooking to remove any remaining yolk, which could attract pests or produce an odour. Jean advised: “If you’re going to use eggshells, be sure to rinse them first and dry thoroughly (a day or two) before crushing.
Eggshells are rich in calcium, which strengthens lavender and improves soil drainage.(Image: Getty Images)
“Sticky membranes and yolk left inside the shell will make it clump together and have an odour.”
Once cleaned, eggshells should be baked in the oven at 200C for 10 to 15 minutes before being crushed into fine fragments using a rolling pin or similar heavy object.
This drying and crushing process speeds up their breakdown, allowing lavender plants to absorb nutrients more efficiently and effectively.
The spiky fragments also act as a natural deterrent for slugs, snails, and other pests, keeping plants safe while enhancing growth.
Only one to two tablespoons of crushed eggshells are needed per lavender plant, applied once in spring and again in summer.
Gardeners should take care not to over-fertilise, as excessive nutrients can scorch delicate plant roots.
By investing time in preparing eggshells, gardeners can enrich soil, improve lavender health, and protect plants from pests.
This results in bigger, stronger blooms ready to brighten gardens throughout spring.
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