How To Plant And Grow Lavender

Lavandula spp.

Lavender’s versatility is what makes it a favorite among gardeners. This fragrant herb thrives in beds, borders, containers, and even themed gardens like butterfly, cottage, cutting, and rock gardens. Its silvery-green foliage and mauve-to-white flower spikes add visual interest to any landscape. We earn a commission if you purchase products through our links. Lavender’s needle-like leaves and upright flower stalks come in a range of colors, depending on the species or hybrid.

English, French, and Spanish varieties are all popular choices, while lavandin hybrids offer unique characteristics. The flowers attract pollinators like bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, while the essential oils repel deer and rodents. Beyond its ornamental appeal, lavender’s fragrance makes it a natural fit for floral arrangements, potpourri, sachets, and even culinary applications. Its leaves and flowers also have uses in aromatherapy and traditional wellness practices.

And, despite its reputation as a finicky plant, lavender is surprisingly easy to care for. Drought-tolerant and adaptable to lean soils, lavender requires minimal annual maintenance. It’s cold-hardy in USDA Hardiness Zone 4 winters, with some varieties suitable for even colder climates. Contrary to popular belief, lavender can thrive in regions with high humidity – there are plenty of options suited for sticky heat. Are you ready to bring this low-maintenance herb into your garden?

Then keep reading to learn everything you need to know about growing and caring for lavender!

What You’ll Learn

Lavender is a captivating herb known for its soothing aroma, delicate purple hue, and versatility in various applications. To delve deeper into this enchanting plant, let’s explore its cultivation and history, propagation methods, as well as the essential steps to grow, maintain, and harvest lavender. Furthermore, we’ll cover the different species, hybrids, and cultivars available for selection, along with tips on managing pests and diseases.

For a quick reference guide, we’ve also included a condensed growing guide.

What Is Lavender?

Lavender plants, belonging to the Lavandula genus and the mint family Lamiaceae, boast an impressive array of 50 species and numerous cultivars. Native to mountainous regions and rocky slopes in the Mediterranean basin, including northern Africa, southern Europe, and the Levant, these shrubby perennials thrive in their natural habitat. In gardens, popular varieties grow up to three feet tall, reaching maturity within three years.

Characterized by narrow, needle-like or lightly toothed foliage in cool, silvery shades of green, they produce upright spikes bearing whorls of flowers, often accompanied by small flag-like bracts at the tip. A kaleidoscope of colors includes deep blues, mauves, blush pinks, purples, and whites. Aromatic leaves and flowers are rich in essential oils, emitting a sweetly herbal fragrance that’s a hallmark of lavender. For home gardeners, several species are commonly cultivated, including L.

angustifolia, the English lavender, which blooms from late spring to midsummer and excels in low-humidity climates. Its fragrant flowers come in shades of mauve, pink, purple, and white. L. dentata, or French lavender, boasts charming flag-tipped inflorescences in mauve and purple hues that flower in mid-to-late summer. With a deep, camphor-tinged fragrance, it thrives in hot and humid climates but requires protection from hard frosts. L.

stoechas, the Spanish species, features distinctive pineapple-shaped flowers in rosy pink, magenta, and royal purple shades. These plants are lightly fragrant with notes of eucalyptus, blooming in late spring with a lighter midsummer rebloom if deadheaded. Frost-tender, they’re hardy only in Zones 8 to 11 and most tolerant of heat and humidity. L. x intermedia hybrids, known as lavandins, are a cross between L. angustifolia and L. latifolia.

These highly fragrant plants produce long-stemmed flowers in shades of royal blue, mauve, purple, and white that bloom in midsummer. Fast-growing and forming large mounds, they retain their good looks over winter and offer improved disease resistance, performing well in humid settings and being cold-tolerant. Lavandins are typically hardy in Zones 5 to 10, with cultivars like ‘Phenomenal’ that can tolerate Zone 4.

Lavenders are known for their tough and durable nature, displaying good drought resistance when established. Requiring minimal fertilizer, they thrive in a variety of soils and need little care or attention aside from annual pruning and winter mulching.

Cultivation and History

Lavender has been a versatile and valuable plant across various cultures and timelines. Its uses extend far beyond its ornamental beauty, with a rich history in culinary, medicinal, and perfumery applications. In the Bible, lavender is mentioned in both Old and New Testament texts, including the Song of Solomon and Gospel of John. The ancient Greeks, Egyptians, Persians, and Romans employed it as a disinfectant, flavoring, medicine, and perfume.

Its introduction to Britain likely stems from Roman soldiers who used it in their baths and for its healing properties. The name ‘lavender’ originates from the Latin word ‘lavare,’ meaning ‘to wash.’ This herb played a crucial role during the Black Plague, where bundles were burnt for purifying smoke, while European physicians applied its essential oils to gloves and masks to ward off infection. As European settlers arrived in North America, lavender continued to flourish.

Today, it remains a staple in aromatherapy and alternative medicine, touted for its numerous purported health benefits, including anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antiviral properties, as well as treating disorders like anxiety, digestive issues, and insomnia.

Propagation

To propagate lavender, you have two options: sowing seeds or rooting stem cuttings. Starting with seeds, begin by sowing them indoors eight to 10 weeks before the last frost date for your region. Fill a flat with a moist, sterilized starter soil and sow the seeds over the surface, covering them lightly with about an eighth of an inch of soil. Next, place the flats under grow lights or in a sunny window covered with a greenhouse dome.

Once the seedlings reach three to four inches tall, transplant them into individual pots that are four to six inches deep. Before moving the plants outside, make sure all danger of frost has passed and overnight temperatures have consistently risen above 50°F. Hardening off the plants for a week by gradually increasing their exposure to outdoor conditions will prepare them for transplantation into larger containers or garden beds.

Seeds typically take between 14 to 21 days to germinate at temperatures ranging from 65 to 70°F, but they can take up to 90 days. If you’re looking to encourage germination, consider using a heat mat and grow lights. For stem cuttings, use hardwood stems that can be taken at any time during the spring or autumn seasons. For more information on this propagation method, refer to our guide on growing lavender from cuttings.

How to Grow

Lavender thrives in well-draining soil with a neutral to slightly alkaline pH, between 6.5 and 8.0, and full sun. When planting, ensure the soil temperature has reached above 50°F, or plant larger specimens in fall for added cold hardiness. The plants perform better in enriched soil, but can adapt to lean soils as well. To prepare the site, mix in aged compost, well-rotted manure, landscape sand, and bone meal for optimal root growth.

If your soil is acidic, add one-half cup of garden lime to balance the pH. Plant the lavender at a depth just below the crown, spaced 12 to 18 inches apart, and water gently after firming the soil around the roots. Mulch with pea gravel, keeping it one to two inches away from the stems to prevent root rot. Water regularly until established, then reduce frequency as the plants mature.

For an abundance of flowers, deeply water every two to three weeks until bud set, and weekly thereafter until harvest. Lavender also excels in containers, requiring adequate drainage holes and a well-draining soil mix. Fill containers with the same mix, planting at the same depth, and place them in full sun, watering when the top inch of soil feels dry.

Growing Tips

To achieve vibrant growth and an abundance of blooms, consider the following low-maintenance tips. Lavender requires well-draining soil and can’t tolerate standing water or excessive moisture. To improve drainage, incorporate landscape sand or pea gravel into the planting site. In regions with intense heat and humidity, select varieties like French lavender (L. dentata), Spanish lavender (L. stoechas), or lavandin hybrids that are better suited for these conditions.

When winter protection is necessary due to cold temperatures, choose a porous mulch material like pea gravel that won’t trap excess moisture. Pruning plants annually after flowering helps maintain a neat appearance and prevents leggy stems from forming. For the most potent fragrance, it’s essential to avoid over-fertilizing and over-watering your lavender plants. Additionally, knowing when and how to harvest flowers is crucial if you plan to use your lavender for purposes beyond the garden.

Harvesting

When it comes to harnessing the essence of herbs, timing is everything. For optimal results, collect the flowers when their essential oils are at their most concentrated. This usually occurs when about half the blooms on the stem have opened up, and the morning dew has had time to evaporate. Avoid harvesting during hot sunlight hours, as this can cause the oils to dissipate. Instead, snip off the stems just above the foliage using clean, sterile scissors or garden shears.

Bundle the stems together and secure with an elastic band or twine. Next, hang them in a cool, dark space with good airflow, allowing the flowers to dry out over the course of three to four weeks. Once fully dry, simply shake or strip the flowers from their stems and store them in an airtight glass jar.

Pruning and Maintenance

Pruning is essential for maintaining the health and appearance of lavender plants. It’s crucial to prune at the right time, as this process can stimulate new growth, promote a dense, mounded shape, and even encourage more oil production. The timing of pruning depends on your location and winter weather conditions. In regions with mild winters, pruning can be done after flowering or in autumn, reducing plants by around one-third.

However, if you live in an area with harsh winters, it’s best to prune in late winter just as new growth starts to emerge, rather than risking damage from frost. Pruning lightly after flowering is also a good option if you don’t want to harvest the flowers. For mature lavender plants with woody stems, pruning can be done throughout the growing season to promote more foliage and encourage a bushy shape. Our guide on how to prune lavender provides detailed advice on rejuvenating overgrown plants.

When it comes to fertilizing your lavender, remember that they don’t require much. Top-dressing in early spring with a two-inch layer of compost or aged manure is sufficient for garden plants. Container plants, however, can benefit from an application of a balanced 10-10-10 fertilizer after flowering. To protect your lavender during the winter months, provide them with mulch and cover if necessary.

A two- to four-inch layer of pea gravel can be used as mulch to protect roots from freezing temperatures. If you live in very cold conditions or experience drying winter winds, consider using burlap, floating row covers, pine boughs, or straw to add an extra layer of protection. For container plants, move them into a sheltered spot and cover if necessary. In extremely cold conditions, bring containers into an unheated garage or shed, but be sure not to allow the soil to dry out completely.

During the winter months, lavender plants are dormant but still require occasional watering to stay viable. If you prefer to bring your containers indoors during the winter, place them in a cool room with temperatures between 45 and 60°F. Ensure they receive bright, indirect light and water sparingly, as growth will be minimal while they’re dormant. Once warmer temperatures return, move the containers back outdoors.

Species, Hybrids, and Cultivars to Select

When exploring the world of orchids, one is immediately struck by the sheer diversity of species and hybrids that can be found online or in local garden centers. With so many options to choose from, it’s natural to feel overwhelmed. To help simplify the process, here are a few standout varieties that serve as an excellent starting point for any enthusiast.

French

The sweetly fragranced French lavender (L. dentata), also known as fringed lavender, boasts a unique blend of herbal and camphor notes. Its stunning purple blooms, adorned with rosy-mauve flags, are set against a backdrop of silvery sage green foliage featuring lovely toothed edges. This eye-catching plant thrives from July to August, growing upright to heights of two to three feet.

Its versatility makes it an ideal choice for courtyards, foundations, pathways, and patios, or as a dramatic addition to tall urns. Notably, French lavender is well-suited for areas with heat and humidity, and is hardy in Zones 5 to 9. For those interested in container planting, the French variety is available at Nature Hills Nursery.

Munstead

The Munstead lavender hybrid (L. angustifolia) boasts charming, lilac-blue blooms with an intoxicating fragrance and slender, gray-green foliage. This compact plant thrives as a low-growing barrier or in beds, borders, containers, butterfly gardens, cottage gardens, cutting gardens, knot gardens, and rock gardens. Its 18- to 24-inch height is accompanied by a similar spread, making it a lovely addition to any landscape.

With its hardiness spanning Zones 4 to 9, the Munstead lavender is an excellent choice for gardeners in these regions. For those looking to bring this beauty into their outdoor spaces, container plants are available from Burpee.

Phenomenal

The Phenomenal lavandin hybrid, also known as Niko, boasts a remarkable combination of impressive flower length, tall stems perfect for cutting, and a deep purple-blue hue. The needle-like foliage features a medium green color with gray undertones, adding to its visual appeal.

This cultivar makes a stunning focal point in various garden settings – from beds and containers to foundations – or can be used to add pops of color throughout city, courtyard, and cottage gardens.

Its flowering period occurs early to midsummer, during which it produces bushy, upright growth reaching 24 to 36 inches.

Notably, Phenomenal plants display good tolerance for cold, heat, and humidity, making them hardy in Zones 5 to 9. For container enthusiasts, these plants are available at Planting Tree.

Sensational

A standout among its peers, ‘Sensational’ (also known as ‘Tesseract’) is a captivating hybrid of English and Portuguese (L. latifolia) species. Its striking features include large, showy flowers in a deep, rich purple hue and broad, silvery leaves that add an extra layer of visual interest.

The fragrance emitted by these plants is sweetly alluring, making them an excellent choice for beds, borders, foundations, or even containers on balconies and terraces.

A profusion of blooms in early summer is followed by lighter reblooming in late summer when deadheaded, providing a prolonged display of beauty.

As ‘Sensational’ plants grow 24 to 30 inches tall, they are well-suited for a variety of settings. With hardiness zones ranging from 5 to 9, they can thrive in many environments. For those looking to add this stunning plant to their outdoor or indoor spaces, container options are available at Nature Hills Nursery.

Spanish

Spanish lavender is a standout variety, boasting vibrant flowers with deep magenta or royal purple hues and lilac highlights, alongside silvery, sage-green foliage. The compact, mounding plants grow 18 to 36 inches tall and produce an abundance of blooms in late spring and early summer. As the season progresses, they will lightly rebloom after deadheading.

This species is ideal for creating a low barrier or massed in beds, borders, and containers, or it can be featured prominently in butterfly, cottage, and rock gardens.

This heat-loving variety thrives in areas with high temperatures and humidity, making it hardy in Zones 7 to 9. For those looking to add some lavender flair to their outdoor spaces, container plants are available for purchase at Home Depot.

Whether you’re seeking a low-maintenance addition or want to create a stunning display, Spanish lavender is an excellent choice.

For even more options and growing guidance, be sure to check out our articles on the best lavender varieties for hot climates and cold-hardy lavender varieties for cooler climates.

Managing Pests and Disease

While lavender is generally easy to cultivate and hardy, there are some potential issues to be aware of. One common problem is the presence of aphids, which can collect on stems and while not typically fatal, may spread mosaic virus, a condition that can be deadly. To address this issue, simply use a strong spray of water from your garden hose to remove them.

Another unwanted visitor to lavender plants are spittlebugs, which may not cause significant damage but can still detract from the plant’s appearance. A good blast of water from the hose should be enough to get rid of these pests. Whiteflies are another type of sapsucker that can be problematic for lavender. While extensive damage is rare, they can still be a nuisance and difficult to eradicate.

To control whitefly populations, consider using natural methods such as encouraging ladybugs or releasing them in your garden, or spraying neem oil on the affected plants. It’s also important to be aware of two types of virus that can affect lavender: alfalfa mosaic virus, which is spread by insects like aphids and causes yellow, curled leaves; and root and crown rot, which can cause plant collapse. Infected plants will need to be removed and destroyed to prevent the spread of these diseases.

To avoid root and crown rot, make sure not to overwater your lavender, plant it in a location that receives full sun, ensure good air circulation around the plants, and keep organic mulches away from the stem and crown area.

Quick Reference Growing Guide

Lavandula is a woody flowering subshrub that thrives in the right conditions. Its flowers come in a range of colors including blue, magenta, mauve, pink, purple, and white, with silvery sage green foliage to match. Native to Southern Europe, northern Africa, and the Levant, this plant has adapted to grow in lean to fertile soil and full sun exposure.

With low maintenance requirements, Lavandula can tolerate deer and requires minimal watering.

Depending on the variety, it can be hardy from USDA Zone 4-11. In terms of growing conditions, it prefers well-draining soil with a pH between 6.5-8.0.

When planting, make sure to space Lavandula 18-24 inches apart and plant it at the same depth as the original pot, just below the crown (if transplanting). This fragrant herb attracts bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, making it a great addition to any garden. Its compact growth habit reaches 12-36 inches in height and spreads 18-40 inches.

Lavandula is versatile and can be used for low barriers, beds, borders, containers, and even butterfly, cottage, cutting, courtyard, fragrance, and rock gardens. It takes around 2-3 years to mature, and its order is Lamiales within the Lamiaceae family.

Your Turn to Grow!

Lavender is a charming and practical choice for any garden, requiring minimal upkeep when properly cared for. For optimal growth, consider the unique characteristics of each type, such as the humidity-loving French and Spanish varieties, the cold-hardy English types, or the adaptable lavandins that thrive in most climates. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just starting out, selecting the right lavender can lead to successful results.

In the comments section below, share your experiences and recommendations for achieving the best outcomes. For further guidance on cultivating herbs, explore our related guides, including How to Grow and Care for Borage Plants, How to Grow Feverfew: A Medicinal and Visual Delight, and How to Grow and Use Hyssop. This content is made possible by our partners at Burpee, Home Depot, and Nature Hills Nursery, with additional photos courtesy of Shutterstock.