Lavender is a native plant to the dry heat of western Mediterranean regions and its long history dates back to the Old World.
The sweetly fragranced perennial herb is a popular ornamental plant for a variety of garden and landscape uses, as well as an arsenal of medicinal and home applications.
Lavender, of the genus Lavandula, is commonly grouped into four subgeneras, with a vast number of hybrids that have been cultivated for specific growing conditions and climates all around the world:
- Lavandula angustifolia – English hybrids a.k.a. true lavender
- Lavandula stoechas – French hybrids
- Lavandula dentata – Spanish hybrids
- Lavandula multifida – Egyptian hybrids a.k.a. fernleaf lavender
You’ll find that this is a hardy plant and doesn’t require much attention throughout the growing season.
Once established, it’s a wonderful pollinator plant that produces bright blossoms and soft scents, making it an elegant addition to any landscape or garden.
It is drought-resistant, low-maintenance, and – thanks to the strong essential oil it produces – undesirable to foraging critters and pests.
Picking a Plant by Zone
Growing lavender isn’t much of a challenge for any gardener, experienced or not. However, there are a few staunch guidelines that every gardener should keep in mind when starting out:
Lavender…
- Loves heat
- Hates water
- Needs space
- Wants lean soil
Considering that lavender originates from hot, arid climates similar to Italy, France, and Spain, it’s understandable that cold or humid weather is not ideal.
If you fail to compensate for climate, then your plant will not yield as bountiful a harvest, or even fail to survive.
Warm Southern Climates
If you live in a southern state where summers are long and hot, then you’ll need to provide slight shade during the peak heat of the day, and aid in air circulation by generously spacing out your plants.
Remember when I said lavender hates water? If you live in region with significant humidity, then your plants are going to need some serious elbow room to ensure maximum airflow and prevent disease.
Water is not lavender’s friend, in the air or in the soil. So proper drainage, airflow, and fast-drying stone mulch will ensure a healthy harvest.
Consider a variety of Lavandula dentata or stoechas when growing in southeastern climates, as they naturally thrive in hot, steamy conditions.
The Cold North
Unfortunately, if you live in a northern region, then you’ll be faced with cold weather, saturated earth, and long winters.
Though the region presents more of a challenge when growing this species of plant, it can be done with a little extra love and patience. Many growers will plant in containers so they can be brought inside during the winter months.
A good subspecies to grow for the colder northern climates is Lavandula angustifolia, a very cold-hardy hybrid.
Seeds for this variety are available on Amazon, from JPK Seed Company.
There are many varieties that thrive in very specific climates, so once you know your zone, you can identify the best species for your garden by asking your local nursery or other gardeners in your area.
‘Silver Mist’ English lavender is another gorgeous option. It thrives in zones 5-10, and has striking silver foliage that’s sure to stand out in your herb garden or flower beds. Seedlings are available in five-inch pots from Nature Hills Nursery.
Growing Outdoors
Lavender is a delightful plant to grow that easily adds variety to every gardening scenario, from landscaping to wild garden beds.
In order to ensure strong growth and a healthy life, I will walk you through the steps and considerations of when, where, and how to grow your plant outdoors.
When?
If you are planting early in northern climates, you should skip ahead to the section on growing indoors. Or consider planting outdoors in the springtime after the last frost – as long as you’re not expecting too much rain.
Planting in the spring is challenging with wet weather, but it gives your lavender enough time to acclimate and strengthen before the following winter.
Remember, if your region experiences harsh winters with very wet weather, you should consider planting your lavender in a container so it can be brought in during the darkest winter months.
November is a good time to plant in southern regions that don’t experience harsh winter weather.
Where?
Give ‘em Some Space
Lavender needs space to grow, allowing for maximum airflow – especially in southern regions with humid climates.
A good rule of thumb is to plant them as far apart as they will grow tall. Strong southern varieties will grow much taller than the northern varieties, which remain short and dense due to the cold weather.
If you are planting outdoors in a region with mildly cold winters, there are a few tricks you can use to naturally increase the temperature around your plants.
Planting near southern-facing stone walls or building walls will naturally radiate heat from the sun and warm your plants.
Other surfaces like asphalt, or the addition of stone mulch, can increase the amount of heat your plants receive. And as I said before – lavender loves heat.
Don’t Forget Drainage
Another vital element to consider when choosing where to plant your lavender is drainage.
Proper drainage is the key to a successful season, especially in regions with rainfall averaging around 12-15 inches. Lavender can’t tolerate an excess of water in the soil or in the air.
Find an area with well-drained soil, or consider organic additions to amend your soil.
If you’re concerned about your plants receiving too much water, you can always take an extra precautionary step: dig a half-foot deeper than the root ball and add a layer of gravel to assist drainage.
Alternative places to plant lavender while maximize its growth potential include raised beds, containers, and pots.
How?
We’ve acknowledged just how detrimental excess water and cold climates can be to the growth of your plant.
Now it is time to take a closer look at the other two elements that are vital to its successful growth: adequate space, and rich soil.
An alkaline, lean soil will make for a happy, healthy plant.
Is your soil acidic? No worries, just add a half cup of a lime and bone meal mixture to your planting hole to sweeten it up a bit. Continue promoting strong growth by adding this mixture to the soil every year.
The third year of growth is when lavender reaches its peak. If your plant is not meeting your expectations after the first 2-3 years, it’s time to test your soil. If you find you need to compensate for acidic soil, you can throw in a little crushed oyster shell to improve alkalinity.
A great tip that we strongly advise is to dig your hole, line with gravel, then fill and mound the earth up to 12-24” above the soil line before planting.
The mound will settle some, but by piling the earth up before planting you will maximize drainage around the plant. The height also improves airflow, and as you already know, circulation is key!
Don’t forget the importance of providing ample room and adequate spacing to stretch out and feel the breeze. A spot with 6 or more hours of sunlight is ideal to keep your plants happy and warm.
Pruning
Pruning is very important as it aims to slow down the growth of woody stems, and forces the plant to produce new foliage.
Lavender should generally be pruned right after it flowers, and again at the end of the summer months to help prevent a damaging winter.
Pruning in early fall helps slow the process of woody stems and increases flower blossoms the following year.
If you have an especially woody plant, prune lightly throughout the growing season for maximum results.
Growing Indoors
If you have chosen to grow your lavender in containers that can be brought in during the cold winter months, the following tips will come in handy when the time comes to bring them inside.
Consider the Lavandula dentata variety when growing indoors, as the smaller plants do better in pots.
The biggest fallback of growing indoors is the lack of light. Place near a southern-facing window and consider providing supplemental lighting via grow lights if you’re in the darker, northern climates.
Sadly, with especially dark and cold winters, poor growth is to be expected when moving plants indoors. But it’s better than nothing!
Remember that thing about lavender hating water? Well, planting indoors is no different.
Pots should be close in size to the root ball of your plant. Any larger and you risk root rot from waterlogged soil.
Consider adding a layer of gravel to the base of your pot to assist draining and use a terra cotta pot – its sides release moisture and prevent rot.
The soil in your pot should be monitored closely for acidity. Make it a habit to add lime every month or so to give your lavender the lean soil it craves.
Water only when soil is dry up to one inch under the surface. It’s best to keep the plant in a cool room so you don’t shock it when it is placed back outside.
Harvest
The time has come to harvest, and lucky for you, it’s really rather simple. You want to be sure to cut the lavender above the start of the woody stem and then allow it to dry for two weeks. Pretty simple, right?
You can bundle dried branches together for a sweet addition to a bouquet, or for an added sense of elegance around your home. Strip the blossoms off for use in potpourri or baking.
The essential oils in these plants have various medicinal properties, and they are often used as antiseptics, sleep aids, and for stress relief. These can easily be added to homemade soap, cleaning solutions, shampoos, lotions, and more.
Your Turn to Grow!
Lavender is beautiful, low-maintenance, and easy to grow if you know how to care for it.
Years of growth and an abundance of uses when harvested make this plant ideal for any home garden or landscaping project.
Have you had success growing this stunning perennial herb? Share your experiences or your favorite DIY home recipes in the comments below!
Don’t forget to Pin It!
Photo credit: Shutterstock.
The staff at Gardener’s Path are not medical professionals and this article should not be construed as medical advice intended to assess, diagnose, prescribe, or promise cure. Gardener’s Path and Ask the Experts, LLC assume no liability for the use or misuse of the material presented above. Always consult with a medical professional before changing your diet or using plant-based remedies or supplements for health and wellness.
About Casea Peterson
Casea Peterson is a writer and screenplay adviser specialist for businesses in the outdoor industry. She has been writing personally and professionally since 2009, but when she doesn't have her pen in hand, she can be found somewhere in the woods hiking, hunting, or exploring the Pacific Northwest.
Thank you enjoyed your article
Thanks, Sherrol! We’re glad you enjoyed it and hope you will keep coming back for new articles.
Thank you. I love this plant but never
tried to grow it in south Florida. I will give it a try to see if I succeed!
Thanks for reading, Marina. Good luck! Let us know how it goes!
Loved the article. I planted some last November and it’s finally starting to bloom! Thanks for the tips so I can hopefully keep them going strong.
Thanks for reading, Justina! That’s great news. We’d love to see pictures – please share on our Facebook page!
Great article! Saw a lavender plant in a small pot with the perennials at a local nursery and bought it. I live in northeast Ohio, so your tips for growing in cold climates hit the spot. I planted it in a large pot with herbs, so now I need to give the plant its own small pot with gravel for drainage and move to a sunnier spot. It’s blooming even though I did everything wrong!
That’s the beauty of hardy herbs Carolyn, even when abused they still perform! Just wait until it settles in its new well-drained, sunny location – you’ll love the results!
Thanks for the great tips about lavender not liking water and loving heat. Mine is growing in a pot, so I’ll watch out for overwatering! Also I didn’t realize it was a perennial!!
Glad you found some tips helpful Maureen!
Wish I had seen your article before I planted my two lavender plants. I watered them literally to death. Had no idea they didn’t like water. ???? Will try again. Thanks. ????
Ouch! One of those hard lessons Pam… good luck with your new plantings!
Thanks for the very optimistic article! I live on an arid and windy South Caribbean island and have tried growing lavender several times. Even though I have not been able to grow it from seed, I have imported several small plants when travelling, with varied results. I tried angustifolias and stoechas with no luck every time (plants wither and dry up), but have had good results with Multifida and with a Croatian variety (which unfortunately, neither can be purchased on the island!). The only problem is that the plants continue to grow but they do not flower. Do you have… Read more »
There are three things you can try for more blooms Marie Anne. The first is to give your plants more sunlight. Eight hours a day is the ideal, with light shade in the hottest part of your Caribbean afternoons. The second is to provide your plants with a 2-inch layer of sand or gravel as a mulch to help retain heat. And the third is to prune your plants in spring as soon as new growth appears, cutting back the stems by about 1/3. Also, you might want to try a diluted amount of an all-purpose purpose fertilizer in the… Read more »
Thanks for your article! Do you know how to determine if Lavender is receiving too much water?
Hi Sandra –
Lavender plants with leaves that are darkening and wilting, and roots that are rotting, may be suffering from too much water. Feel the soil beneath them, and if it’s saturated, the drainage is inadequate. Try incorporating some sand into your garden soil, and be sure that potted plants have enough drainage holes.
Lavender requires very little water. Once established in the garden, you shouldn’t have to water unless there’s a severe drought. Potted plants should dry completely before being watered again.
Good luck with your lavender!
Great post! I love lavender and have tried to grow it in the past. I currently have dried lavender in my home. I love the smell of it! This post makes me want to try to grow it again, since it can thrive in so many climates. Thank you for sharing!
So glad you enjoyed the article!
I grew my lavender in a container. Didn’t know I should have put it outside in the summer. It’s bushy, has woody parts in the middle, has never bloomed, but continues to grow. What should I do with it?
Where do you live, Denise?
Hi Lorna, this is a nice informative post about lavender. I wonder if I may pick your thoughts on the following. A week ago I finally found/bought myself a lavender plant. That took a while to find. It probably is not very common over here as the vendor could not advise on the proper way to get the best growing results. I’m living in a tropical climate, with about 33°C (91°F) year round, 4 to 5 months dry season but the rest of the year can be very humid. It is a fern-leafed lavender, so I guess that makes it… Read more »
Thank you very much for the very useful information about lavender. I am Sara from Mongolia and I really would like to plant lavender in my country. I have purchased seed of Lavandula angustifolia from Ebay and am waiting for my seeds. When I receive the seeds, I am going to plant them. Our country is very dry and sunny. But in wintertime, sometimes it’s -30 degrees outside. In Mongolia, any people haven’t tried to grow lavender. I am worried about the winter conditions when planting it in my region. My dream is to become a lavender farmer in my… Read more »
Hi Sara, Thanks for your question! Wow, a commercial operation in Mongolia- how ambitious! The short growing season might make it difficult, but not impossible. Full sun and good drainage will be helpful, and the plants will likely go dormant in the wintertime. Apply a good layer of mulch to keep them warm during the colder months, and be very careful not to overwater in the winter. You may even consider moving plants to pots and bringing them into a greenhouse during the winter months. Good luck!
Hi. Your article gave info many articles have left out. My daughter is getting married next January in Alabama, so I’ve decided to try to grow the lavender for her bouquet and decorations. The plan is to be able to move plants into a poly house so it can be fresh, rather than dried. The fall-back plan is to purchase from a local farm if we fail. My question is, am I being overly hopeful and ambitious, to expect adequate flowers by January? Thanks for your informative article, and for your help.
Wow, Julia, this is wonderful news- and this does sound like an ambitious project! Fresh lavender will be lovely for your daughter’s wedding- but it typically blooms in the spring and summer. However, you may have some success fooling your plants into thinking spring has come early if you can grow it in a warm place indoors under grow lights. The poly house will help, especially since you are located in the south, but adequate light is also key to encourage new growth and blooms. Wishing you the best of luck! Let us know how it goes.
I live in a North facing apartment and would love to grow the true English variety of lavender.
Do you have any tips to help me and my not-so-green thumb?
By the way if it helps I live in Ontario Canada.
Hi Eileen. Unfortunately this is not going to be easy. Having a north-facing garden means you’re growing in the shade, at a significant disadvantage in comparison to southern-facing gardens. Do you have any outdoor gardening space at your apartment? And are there other types of plants that you are currently growing successfully, either indoors or outside? Lavender loves sun and doesn’t enjoy the cold, so your best best is to plant in containers that you can move with the sun throughout the day, and keep indoors in the sunniest spot(s) you have in the cold weather- which might mean 8-10… Read more »
Hi,
I wonder… can I grow lavender in the tropics? I live in Malaysia and the water is hot (32 celsius) and very humid with rain in the evenings.
You’re in luck, Jasmine, since lavender loves hot weather! But it doesn’t like to be wet, so you’ll have to make sure it’s planted in soil with excellent drainage.
I have purchase 3 plants from Lowes garden center and have returned 3 plants. I was reading your article on the watering and now I am beginning to think I was watering them to much (twice a day). Now the new plants are looking like they are dying too. I live where the summers are hot and dry. What am I doing wrong??
Thank you for this information! My good intentions are killing my plant. I hope I have read this in time to save it. I’m doing almost the total opposite of what this article says to do and my plant looks poor.
Thanks for this great info! I live in Southeast Florida, so I’m going to try out the varieties you recommended. I was curious about whether I should use a cactus/succulent soil mix for better results along with a layer of gravel underneath.
Thanks to your article, I know how to grow lavender. I want a lavender flower in my house.
Hi, thank you for this informative article. I live in the northeast (specifically an hr and a half east of Pittsburgh). I am a new gardener and I plan to start my own lavender farm this spring. I bought starter plants in November and I just transplanted them into 4″x10″ pots. I am growing them inside until April and my hope is that they get nice and big by spring planting. I am growing lavandula angustifolia (English). I am using a t5 light to grow them and so far they seem to like it but my question is this: what… Read more »
Hi Kyle, Wow, this is an ambitious project for a new gardener! Lavender loves a lot of light, so supplementing with grow lights while your plants are indoors is a great idea. Will they receive natural light during the day as well, and are you housing them indoors in a location with southern exposure? I don’t know if you have a greenhouse, but growing in the Northeast provides an added hurdle to jump over- since lavender is a Mediterranean plant, it generally prefers conditions that are more hot and dry than what’s common in your climate. This isn’t to say… Read more »
Hi Allison,
I live in the Tarai region in the foothills of the Himalayas where summer temperature is around 42 degrees Celsius April to July, and in winter (November to Feb.) it ranges at night from 2-6 degrees Celsius and during the day 15-21 degrees Celsius. July to September, it rains heavily. How can I grow lavender? Thanks.
Hi Casea, you have shared a very nice blog. Lavender always looks very beautiful. Thanks for letting us know how to grow it in every climate. Keep sharing!
why doesn’t my lavender smell like lavender pre-bloom? FYI – I live in Anchorage, Alaska.
Interesting question, Linda. The main reason is because flowers emit scent to attract pollinators. According to Natalia Dudareva, associate professor in the department of horticulture and landscape architecture at Purdue University, flowers emit higher quantities of scent molecules when they’re ready for pollination, and when pollinators are the most active. You’ll notice that many flowers have less of a scent at night as well.
Hi. I live in eastern Ontario Canada. My zone is 5ish. I couldn’t resist and bought a Lavandula Stoechas Anouk. It is in a 8” pot and is about 15” tall. I would like to put it in a container and bring it in for the winter. How big a container should I use? Should I harvest it? Could use your help. 🙂
Lavender should be planted in containers in a sandy, well-draining mix with enough room for the roots and a bit of space to grow. Sizing up before the end of the season and planting in a slightly larger container should work for you. Ensure that there are plenty of drainage holes, and place in a sunny location indoors for the winter. If you’d like to harvest the blooms first before potting up, that should be fine.
I live in Spring Creek NV. Winters here are harsh and I was wondering if lavender can survive the bitter cold of the High Desert? Thank you I hope it can..
Lavender can do well in the high desert! Be sure to plant a cold-hardy variety, such as ‘Vera’ or ‘Thumbelina Leigh’ (English), or ‘Grosso’ (French).
Response is after my first question! Sorry but thank you for the information.
Thank you for your speedy response it is greatly appreciated and your promptness shows great dedication to what I consider to be a dream job. I actually bought a gallon size pot of lavender at Home Depot and it said Hardy up to negative 20 degrees and I have not been here that long but the lowest I have seen is about negative 8. Hopefully I will be alright and hoping I don’t ever have to experience minus 20 as long as I live here. I am excited about getting it into the ground to watch it take off hopefully… Read more »
Good luck with the gardening (and the weather)!
Thanks Casea, I live in Oregon, so lots of hot summer sun, but cold and rainy winters. Lots of useful info, much appreciated.
I live in MI. Zone 6. I bought lavandula ellagance purple this year. This get tons of sw sun. They are beautiful. How do I prepare them for winter? Should they be pruned? If so, how low? Should I put mulch on them to keep them warm? Thank you
Alot of great info..thank you!
Thank you for the article! I am really trying to grow lavender in Myanmar and so far, it has not been successful because it is too hot here and humid here. What can we do about the air humidity as it is around 90% year round and probably more during rainy season?
Hi Kate,
You’re welcome! Lavender is more easily grown as an annual in humid climates, and container growing can help you to control the level of sun and water that your plants receive more easily than planting in the ground.
If seeds come in a packet of about 105 seeds, am I planting all of those in one pot? I’m in PA and wish to try container growing from seed.
Small seeds often come in packages containing far more than you’ll need for just one container! Space seeds with about 1/2-1 inch between each.
Great article. I started seeds in my unheeded greenhouse, in Zone 5 in NS, Canada. I transplanted about 6 seedlings into a 6 inch pot and by the end of the summer they were doing well. I decided to bring them indoors when the weather turns colder, again about 6 small plants in the pot. Based on your article I think I overwatered them. They I have some brown/half brown leaves on them, and new growth has appeared above the woody stems. I’ve also noticed some aphids on the new growth, Which I’ve been trying to control my hand picking.… Read more »
Hi Patty Over saturation may lead to root rot, a symptom of which is browning. Also, aphids may carry viruses that may cause leaves to brown. Trim off the brown leaves. Use a steady stream of water to wash away as many aphids as possible. Transplant into two or three pots. Terracotta is best for promoting good airflow and drainage. Purchase good quality potting mix and add a little lime to sweeten it. Find the sunniest spot in the coolest room and put the pots there. Water only when you can push your finger down an inch and come up… Read more »
How often do you water lavender? I have a brown area that is approx. 7ft x 8ft and would like to plant full sun, dry soil (top of a slope), bee and insect friendly plants. Are there certain types of flowers you would recommend? I am in Southwestern Ontario, Canada. Our climate is similar to PA. Thank you. Allison PS, I am very new to gardening. I need forgiving plants!!
Hi Allison, lavender requires only moderate amounts of water after they’re established. Water weekly until after they finish flowering, and after that when the top 3 to 4 inches of soil are dry. When first planted, keep the soil moist until the roots are established, in 4 to 8 weeks. And water weekly in dry, hot conditions for their first summer. Other Mediterranean/kitchen herbs, like marjoram, thyme, sage, or oregano, would work for your slope top. As would spring and summer bulbs like daffodils, grape hyacinth, and lilies. Easy care flowers like cosmos, nasturtiums, or feverfew and native species such… Read more »
I live in southern coastal california. My lavender blooms all the time. So does it matter when I prune it?
I’ve run into the same problem with other blooming plants and shrubs in my own garden in southern California. It can be difficult to determine when to prune since avoiding the “active growth phase” is advised. As a general rule, for plants in need of pruning to maintain their shape or keep them contained, I try to avoid rainy times of year and times when blooms are at their peak.
I live in Laredo, Texas, where summers are hot and dry. Which lavender do you recommend? Also I have a water sprinkler system that waters every MWF in am and pm. Would that be too much water for lavender? Thank you for your advice!
Hi Karen – Many of the English varieties (L. angustifolia) may find it too hot for your area as most are tolerant only to USDA Zone 8 – although you might find success with ‘Munstead’ or ‘Hidcote’. Better suited for hot summers are the English hybrids, Lavadins (L. x intermedia) and French (L. dentata) or Spanish (L. stoechas) species. These are much more heat tolerant and are typically hardy/tolerant to Zones 10 or 11. And your watering schedule should be fine if you remember a couple of key points. These plants require excellent draining soil and good air circulation. When… Read more »
This is so helpful! Now I know why they never survived here in our yard (we live in Texas). Now I’m better educated! About to go plant some indoors until I can prep my back yard. Thank you! I really enjoyed reading this.
Thank you so much for this article! I’m in the Florida panhandle, and have been trying to grow lavender with ZERO success for the past 4 years. I’m now rethinking my strategy!