Indulge in the romance of this engaging herb, and learn how to keep it happy.

Touch it. Go on-rub your fingers over the soft, silvery leaves. Now, inhale. Lavender’s fragrance entices the soul with a soothing, instantly discernible scent. Its mystique makes it one of the most popular gift plants. Enjoy the aromatic foliage, appreciate the legendary flowers, and embrace the charm this celebrated herb delivers.

Now, the Reality

Romance aside, understand this: Most lavender selections belong outdoors, in the garden or in a container. Because the magnificent plants you see right now have been raised in heated greenhouses, they must stay inside until after the last frost. Here’s how to keep your plant healthy indoors until the warmer days of late spring.Provide bright sunlight for three to four hours a day.

* Keep the plant away from heating vents; it prefers cool temperatures when indoors.

* Lavender requires good air circulation, so place it in a well-ventilated area.

* Water the plant when the soil begins to dry, and never allow water to remain in the saucer for more than 20 minutes.

* Feed the plant once a month with a balanced 20-20-20 liquid fertilizer.

Most likely, your new plant is in full bloom. Snip off flowers as they mature, bundle them together with a ribbon, and hang them to dry. Then enjoy the small bouquet, or tuck it among your linens to spread the scent.

When lavender puts on new foliage growth, it may be lanky due to inadequate light. Trim it off to keep the plant compact, and dry the cuttings as you did the flowers.

New Digs

Transitioning your plant into the garden takes planning so that all of your efforts keeping it healthy indoors will pay off. When outdoor temperatures rise above 50 degrees, place the pot in a protected place, away from cold wind, to ease it into full sunlight. Give it an hour outside one day and a little more the next until it adapts to about four hours of direct sun. Remember to water the plant when it dries out.

As the lavender becomes accustomed to cooler temperatures, leave it outdoors more often. If the thermometer drops below 40 degrees, though, bring it back into the house or garage. Once the danger of frost has passed, the lavender will be acclimated to life outside and can be moved into the garden without missing a beat.