well-grown potted herbs/lavender - in or out?

[Ponders]

I bought a couple of \link{http://www.aldi.co.uk/uk/html/offers/special_buys3_23278.htm\these} today (one is lavender, as shown in photo, not sure where that fits in herb family! )

anyway they are big established plants, in plastic pots inside the terracotta pots (Aldi is brilliant for plants, I can recommend their bargain pre-planted tubs & hanging baskets later) & atm I have them in a cool place indoors; should they stay indoors until outside warms up a bit?

also, does lavender generally prefer poor soil? I planted a new one on (in a bigger pot) in some really rich moisture-retaining potting compost last year because it was all I had at the time, & it started looking a bit sad after a few weeks. It's still alive-ish but doesn't look happy.

Would it help if I added some sand or something? Or will nothing much help because I'm in cold soggy Lancs, & it would rather be in dry sunny Norfolk (or Tuscany, where I brought it from)?

bump

yes poor soil
personally I would keep it inside at the moment, but if it had already been outside I wouldn't bother to bring it in. It is just the rapid change it would experience if you put it straight outside might not do it much good.

thanks, squirrels

they were indoors, so I'll keep them in until it gets a bit milder

what about my poor over-fed lavender, which is outside atm? Should I repot it with something weaker right now, or wait & see how it does in spring?

well am no expert!
Personally I would leave the outside on at the moment (not least cos the soil will be frozen and it would be easier in spring than now). But try and make sure it doesn't get waterlogged.