How to Grow Lavender
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🛠️ Supplies You'll Need
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🌿 Plant Overview
☀️ Growing Requirements
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Sun
Full Sun (6+ hours)
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Water
Low (drought tolerant once established)
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Spacing
24" apart
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Depth
0.125" deep
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Height
18-36"
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Germination
14-21 days
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Common Lavender Varieties
Popular cultivars to look for at your local nursery or seed supplier.
Hidcote
Compact English lavender with deep violet flowers; one of the most fragrant varieties.
Munstead
Hardy English lavender that flowers early and is reliably cold-tolerant to Zone 5.
Vera
Classic large English lavender cultivar producing abundant oil for culinary and aromatic use.
Phenomenal
Heat- and humidity-tolerant hybrid that thrives in climates where English lavender struggles.
Provence
Tall French lavandin with very fragrant blooms; widely grown for essential oil production.
Days-to-maturity figures are approximate and vary by climate and growing conditions.
Common Lavender Problems
What to watch for — and how to fix it before it spreads.
Pests
Nymph hidden in a frothy "spit" mass on stems; causes distorted growth at affected nodes.
Blast off with a strong water jet; usually not serious enough to need chemical control.
Rare on lavender but occasionally found on tender new growth in spring.
Strong water spray; plants typically outgrow light infestations without intervention.
Diseases
The #1 killer of lavender — caused by overwatering or poorly drained soil; leaves gray and mushy stems at the base.
Plant in fast-draining soil or raised beds; never water on a schedule — only when truly dry.
Gray fuzzy mold on stems and flowers in humid conditions or when plants are overcrowded.
Prune heavily each spring to open up the center; improve airflow; remove dead flower heads.
Causes rapid die-back of individual branches; gray discoloration of wood under bark.
Prune affected branches back to healthy wood; sterilize tools between cuts.
Common Mistakes
Lavender is a Mediterranean drought-lover; wet roots are fatal.
Water deeply but infrequently — every 2–3 weeks in summer once established; zero supplemental water in fall/winter in wet climates.
Lavender thrives on neglect in poor, well-drained soil; rich soil causes lush growth that rots easily.
Amend with grit or perlite; plant in a raised bed with 50% native soil + 50% coarse grit.
Unpruned lavender becomes woody and open, flopping apart and producing fewer flowers each year.
Cut back by 1/3 immediately after flowering; never cut into old gray wood — it won't regrow.
🌾 Seed Saving Guide
🟡 ModerateWhen to Harvest Seed
Let flower spikes dry fully on the plant before harvesting.
Processing
Strip seeds from dried spikes, winnow to remove chaff. Seeds are small and germination is slow.
Seed Viability
Up to 2 years when stored cool, dark, and dry.
Pro Tip
Cold-stratify seeds for 4–6 weeks to improve germination rates — without stratification, germination is erratic.
Seed Storage Supplies
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Raised Bed Planting Guides
A 4×8 bed fits 8 plants of Lavender. See plant counts, spacing grids, and companion pairings for every bed size →
Lavender Planting Calendar by Zone
Lavender Planting Calendar by State
Other Plants
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Lavender? +
Start Lavender seeds indoors 10 weeks before your last frost date, then transplant outdoors 2 weeks after the last frost. Use the search on this page to find exact dates for your ZIP code or city.
How long does Lavender take to grow? +
Lavender typically matures in about 90 days from planting. Exact timing varies by variety, soil conditions, and local climate.
Should I start Lavender indoors or direct sow? +
Lavender should be started indoors 10 weeks before the last frost date. This gives seedlings time to establish before being transplanted outside after frost danger has passed.
How much sun does Lavender need? +
Lavender requires full sun (6+ hours) to thrive.
How far apart should I plant Lavender? +
Space Lavender plants 24 inches apart to allow adequate airflow and root development.
How much water does Lavender need? +
Lavender has low (drought tolerant once established) water needs. Consistent moisture is important especially during germination and early growth.
Can you save seeds from Lavender? +
Yes — seed saving difficulty for Lavender is rated moderate. Let flower spikes dry fully on the plant before harvesting. Strip seeds from dried spikes, winnow to remove chaff. Seeds are small and germination is slow.
How long do Lavender seeds last in storage? +
Properly dried and stored Lavender seeds remain viable for up to 2 years. Store in a cool, dark, dry location in an airtight container with a silica gel packet for best results.
Are Lavender seeds open-pollinated? +
Yes — Lavender is open-pollinated, meaning seeds saved from your harvest will grow plants true to the parent variety. This makes it an excellent candidate for building a self-sustaining garden.
About Lavender
Fragrant perennial herb with purple flower spikes. Excellent for pollinator gardens, culinary use, and dried arrangements. Slow from seed — consider buying transplants.
Expect your Lavender to be ready for harvest in approximately 90 days from planting.
Use the search above or browse by zone or state to find the perfect planting dates for your location.