Spanish Lavender (Lavandula stoechas) is a popular Mediterranean shrub prized for its distinctive, tufted flower spikes often described as “bunny ears.” This variety of lavender is a favorite among gardeners for its long bloom time and tolerance for hot, dry conditions. A common concern for those incorporating this fragrant perennial into their landscape is whether it will aggressively spread and take over garden space. Understanding how Spanish Lavender grows and reproduces is key to managing its presence in the yard.
Understanding Spanish Lavender’s Growth Habit
The physical expansion of a Spanish Lavender plant occurs through a mounding, shrub-like growth pattern. Unlike aggressive plants that send out underground runners or suckers, Lavandula stoechas spreads only by increasing the diameter of its central woody base. The plant grows outward in a compact, dense, and rounded form.
A mature Spanish Lavender typically reaches 18 to 36 inches high and spreads 1 to 3 feet wide, establishing itself as a moderately sized, woody perennial. Its ultimate size is influenced by the growing environment. Rich soil or excessive water can lead to a less compact, leggier shrub, but the growth remains confined to its central root system.
The Likelihood of Self-Seeding
While the physical growth is contained, the plant can spread reproductively through viable seeds. Spanish Lavender flowers produce small seeds which, if allowed to drop and find favorable conditions, can germinate to produce new plants. The chance of aggressive self-seeding is dependent on the surrounding climate and garden maintenance.
The seeds of Lavandula stoechas have slow and erratic germination rates in most garden settings. For optimal germination, the seeds often require cold stratification, which naturally occurs during a cold, moist winter. Furthermore, the seeds need light to successfully sprout.
A thick layer of organic mulch will generally inhibit the process by blocking sunlight. Consequently, while a few volunteer seedlings may appear in undisturbed, bare soil near the parent plant, Spanish Lavender is not typically considered invasive through reproduction in most cultivated landscapes.
Keeping Your Lavender Contained
Controlling the size and location of your Spanish Lavender involves two distinct management strategies focused on pruning and preventing seed set. To maintain a compact, pleasing physical form and prevent the plant from becoming overly large and woody, annual pruning is necessary. Cut back approximately one-third of the plant’s soft, leafy growth after the first main bloom cycle in the spring.
A light, second pruning can be performed in late summer to reshape the bush before winter. It is important to make all cuts just above the foliage and never into the old, gray, woody stems, as this growth will not regenerate.
To manage reproductive spread, the process of deadheading—removing the spent flower spikes—is the most effective action. Removing the faded flowers immediately after they finish blooming prevents the plant from expending energy on developing viable seeds, thereby eliminating the possibility of unwanted volunteer seedlings.