Lavender plants are a type of flowering shrub in the mint family, native to the Mediterranean region. They are known for their fragrant, purple flowers and gray-green foliage. Lavender plants grow best in full sun and well-drained soil and can reach heights of up to 3 feet. They are drought-tolerant and require minimal maintenance, making them a popular choice for gardeners. Lavender is also widely used in aromatherapy and herbal medicine.
Planning Your Garden With Lavender
As you plan your garden, it's important to think about the spacing, size, light, and nutrient requirements of all of your plant and how they'll grow together.
Some plants require more water than others, while other plants require dry soil. At the same time, some plants prefer full sun, and other plants need the shade to survive.
By studying what each plant requires and planning ahead where all of your plants will grow best, you can optimize your garden space.
| Life Cycle | Lavender is a perennial. |
| USDA Zone | Lavender is hardy in USDA Zones 5-9. |
| Cold Tolerance | Lavender is quite cold hardy and can tolerate temperatures as low as 25. |
| Days to harvest | The minimum number of days to harvest lavender is usually around 60-90 days after planting. |
| Average size | The average size of a full grown lavender plant is between 1 and 3 feet tall and 1 to 2 feet wide. |
| Spacing requirements | Lavender prefers well-drained soil and full sun. When planting lavender, it is best to space the plants 18-24 inches apart. This will give the plants plenty of room to grow and spread out. |
| Sun tolerance | Lavender is highly tolerant of full sun and can even tolerate some reflected heat. It prefers at least six hours of direct sunlight per day, but can tolerate more. |
| Shade tolerance | Lavender is a sun-loving plant and prefers full sun to light shade. It can tolerate some shade, but it may not flower as profusely in shadier spots. |
| Water requirements | Lavender requires well-drained soil and prefers dry conditions. It should only be watered when the soil is dry to the touch, and then only lightly. The ideal soil pH for lavender is 6.5-7.5, and it should be watered approximately once a week. Watering should be done in the morning and should be done deeply, allowing the water to penetrate the soil. Over-watering can lead to root rot, so it is important to ensure that the soil is allowed to dry out between waterings. |
| Fertilizer | The amount of fertilizer you should use when growing lavender depends on the type of fertilizer you are using and the soil conditions. Generally, lavender plants should be fertilized with a balanced fertilizer such as a 10-10-10 or 20-20-20 fertilizer at a rate of 1/2 teaspoon per plant per month. If you are using a slow-release fertilizer, use 1/4 teaspoon per plant per month. |
| Soil pH | The optimum pH for growing lavender is 6.0 to 8.0. |
Why Lavender is Popular
People like to grow lavender because it is an attractive and fragrant flower that is easy to care for and grows well in most climates. Lavender is also known for its many health benefits, such as being an effective natural remedy for anxiety, insomnia, and depression. The essential oils of lavender can also be used in aromatherapy, adding to its popularity.
Companion Plants For Lavender
Companion planting is a great way to maximize your garden space and get the most out of your plants. By planting certain plants together, you can help each other thrive. In some cases, you can even help each other repel pests.
Popular companion plants for lavender include:
Common Pests For Lavender
Plant pests are a common problem for gardeners. By understanding what pests are common for your plants, you can take steps to prevent them from damaging your plants.
When you grow lavender, keep an eye out for these common pests:
- aphids
- whiteflies
- spider mites
- mealybugs
USDA Zones
USDA zones are a popular way of determining which plants can grow in your area. Zones tell you when your average first and last frost date are, as well as how cold you can expect it to get in the winter.
Our site works best if you choose your zone from the list below. If you do not know your USDA zone, then you can use our zone map.
