How to Grow Lavender
General Information
| Botanical Name: | Lavandula angustifolia |
| Common Names: | Lavender, English Lavender |
| Plant Family: | Lamiaceae |
| Type: | Perennial; Culinary; Medicinal; Aromatic; Warm Season to Mild Cool Season Grower depending on climate |
| Our Favorite Varieties: | English Lavender – Munstead; Fern Leaf Lavender |
Know Before You Grow
| Growing Zones: | 5–8 for English lavender |
| Frost Hardy: | Yes |
| Heat Tolerant: | Moderate, but high humidity and wet soil can cause trouble |
| Stratification: | Yes, usually helpful for better germination from seed |
| Rows, Beds, Containers: | Yes to all three. |
Starting from Seed
| When: | 10–12 weeks before last frost |
| Soil: | Seed Starting Mix |
| Depth: | Surface sow and press in lightly, or barely cover |
| Water: | Keep lightly moist, not soggy |
| Germination: | 14–21 days |
| Up Pot: | Up pot when seedlings have several true leaves and need more root room |
| Light: | 14–16 hours under grow lights indoors; full sun outdoors |
| Soil Temperature: | 65°F–70°F |
| Heat Mat: | Helpful, but not required |
| Harden Off: | es, 7–10 days before transplanting outdoors |
Row, Bed, Container Prep
| Soil: | Light, sandy or gravelly, very well-drained soil |
| pH: | 6.5–8.3 |
| Soil Depth or Pot Size: | 8–12 inches of workable soil; one plant does well in a 10–12 inch pot or larger |
| Trellis: | no |
| Fertilizer/Feed: | Go light. Too much feeding can reduce fragrance and make growth floppy |
| Compost: | Mix in a modest amount only; do not make the soil rich or water-holding |
Transplanting/Up Potting
| When: | After danger of hard frost has passed |
| How: | Transplant gently into full sun and very well-drained soil |
| Depth: | Same depth it was growing before |
| Spacing: | 12–18 inches apart |
| Mulch: | Use only a light mulch, and gravel or small stones are often better than heavy organic mulch |
| Water: | Water in well after transplanting, then let the soil begin to dry somewhat between waterings |
Direct Sowing
| When: | After frost danger passes and soil is warming, but direct sowing is usually slower and less reliable than starting indoors |
| Depth: | Surface sow and press in lightly, or barely cover |
| Spacing: | Sow thinly, then thin to 12–18 inches apart |
| Water: | Keep the seed zone lightly and evenly moist until germination |
| Light: | Full sun |
| # in Sq. Ft. Planting: | 1 plant per square foot |
Growing Care
| Fertilizer/Feed: | Feed lightly if needed |
| Days to Maturity: | About 90–200 days from seed, depending on variety and growing conditions |
| Water: | Water regularly while establishing. Once established, let the soil dry somewhat between waterings |
| Pruning/Harvesting: | Prune lightly after flowering and harvest stems before blooms are fully spent. Do not cut hard into old leafless wood |
| Mulching: | Keep mulch light and away from the crown |
| Pollination: | Not needed for flower harvest. Flowers attract bees and other pollinators |
Companions & Antagonists
| Plant Family: | Antagonists: |
| Rosemary | Plants that need rich, wet soil or heavy shade. |
| Thyme | |
| Sage | |
| Oregano |
Attracts & Repels
| Attracts: | Repels: |
| Bees, butterflies, and other pollinators | Often grown for its strong scent, which may help discourage some pests |
Pests & Disease
| Pests: | Disease: |
| Aphids | Root Rot |
| Whiteflies | Crown Rot |
| Spittlebugs | Fungal Problems |
Seed Saving
| When: | After flower heads dry and seed matures |
| Method: | Let seed heads dry on the plant, then cut, dry further if needed, and shake or rub out the seed |
Harvest Time
| When: | Harvest when flower buds are formed and just beginning to open for best fragrance |
| How: | Cut stems with flowers attached |
| What: | Flowers and flowering stems |
| Storing: | Dry thoroughly out of direct sunlight with good airflow, then store airtight away from light |
| Preservation Methods: | Drying, sachets, infused oil, infused sugar, bath blends, floral crafts |
Medicinal Uses:
| Traditionally Used for: | Mild symptoms of mental stress and exhaustion, and to aid sleep |
| Forms: | Tea/infusion, tincture, essential oil, bath, sachets, steam, infused oil |
| Dosage or Application: | Traditionally used as tea made from 1–2 g dried lavender flower per cup, up to 3 times daily. Aromatic use and bath preparations are also traditional |
| NOTICE: | This information is based on historical/traditional fact. It is for educational purposes only. Lowe Bridges Farm will not be held liable for your use of this information. Your use of this information and the results thereof is your responsibility, and yours alone. |
Culinary Uses:
| Flavor Profile: | Floral, lightly sweet, herbal, slightly resinous |
| Best Used In: | Teas, syrups, baked goods, honey, sugar blends, desserts, and some savory herb blends |
| Forms: | Fresh flowers, dried flowers, whole buds, infused sugar, infused honey |
As an Aromatic:
| Used for: | Calming, relaxing, bedtime blends, stress relief, and clean floral fragrance |
| How: | Dried flowers in sachets and pillows, infused bath blends, steam, and properly diluted aromatic preparations |
Troubleshooting
| Yellowing and decline: | Usually poor drainage or overwatering |
| No winter survival: | Often wet winter soil, not just cold |
| Weak fragrance: | Too much fertilizer, too much water, or too little sun |
| Leggy growth: | Not enough sun or not enough pruning |
| Plant rots at base: | Crown staying too wet |
| Poor flowering: | Too much shade, too much fertility, or heavy humid conditions |
