Lavender is prized for its aromatic foliage and vibrant purple flowers, bringing a touch of Mediterranean appeal to any garden setting. Successfully growing this woody shrub depends on providing the correct space between plants. Planting distance directly dictates the health, shape, and longevity of the mature plant. Understanding the precise spacing measurements for your chosen variety is the primary step toward cultivating a healthy, abundant lavender patch.
Standard Spacing Based on Lavender Variety
The correct planting distance for lavender is highly dependent on the variety, which determines the plant’s mature width and overall size. A general rule of thumb is to space plants at a distance equal to their expected mature width, or slightly less for a continuous, hedge-like appearance. Ignoring the mature size will lead to overcrowding and reduced plant vigor.
English lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) includes compact cultivars like ‘Munstead’ and ‘Hidcote’ that have the smallest mature spread. These varieties typically reach a width of 16 to 24 inches, making a planting distance of 18 to 24 inches appropriate for individual mounds. For a dense border that merges quickly, a closer spacing of 12 to 18 inches can be used, though this requires consistent pruning to maintain good air circulation.
Lavandins, or hybrid lavenders (L. x intermedia), are crosses between English and Spike lavender and are significantly larger, requiring generous spacing. Popular commercial varieties such as ‘Grosso’ and ‘Provence’ can spread up to 3 or 4 feet wide at maturity. To allow these large shrubs to reach their full, bushy potential, they should be planted 36 to 48 inches apart.
Spanish, French, and Fringed lavenders (L. stoechas and L. dentata) represent a mid-range in size, often growing wider than they grow tall. These varieties typically mature to a spread of 18 to 30 inches. A planting distance of 24 to 30 inches allows for their mounding growth habit while ensuring enough room for maintenance and airflow.
Why Proper Spacing is Crucial for Plant Health
Spacing lavender correctly is not merely for aesthetics; it directly addresses the plant’s physiological needs and susceptibility to disease. Lavender is native to dry, rocky Mediterranean regions and is highly intolerant of prolonged moisture around its leaves or roots. Overcrowding dramatically increases the risk of fungal pathogens that can quickly devastate a planting.
The primary health benefit of proper spacing is the promotion of sufficient air circulation around the entire plant canopy. When plants are placed too closely, they trap humidity, creating a microclimate ideal for fungal diseases such as root rot and Botrytis cinerea, commonly known as gray mold. Adequate airflow helps the foliage dry quickly after rain or irrigation, reducing the conditions that allow fungal spores to germinate and spread.
Insufficient spacing creates intense competition below the soil surface for water and essential nutrients. Lavender plants require a robust, deep root system to anchor their woody structure and survive drought conditions. When root balls collide and overlap, competition for limited resources can lead to stunted growth, reduced flower production, and overall weakened plants.
Light penetration is another factor that spacing directly impacts, particularly for the lower portions of the plant. Lavender requires full sun to maintain a compact, bushy habit. When plants shade each other, the lower branches are deprived of light, causing the plant to become “leggy,” woody, and sparse at the base.
Adjusting Spacing for Specific Gardening Goals
While standard measurements ensure plant health, gardeners can manipulate spacing to achieve specific landscape designs. Planting at the minimum recommended distance for a variety, such as 12 to 18 inches for English lavender, creates a dense, continuous hedge or border. This effect relies on the mature plants growing into each other to form a solid line of foliage and flowers.
Creating a dense hedge requires diligent annual pruning immediately after the main bloom to maintain the desired shape and prevent congestion. Conversely, if the goal is to showcase each plant as an individual specimen with a rounded mound shape, the spacing should be increased. This involves adding an additional 6 to 12 inches to the plant’s mature width to ensure a clear, visible gap between each shrub.
For those growing lavender in containers, the spacing concern shifts to the size of the vessel itself. A container must be large enough to accommodate the full, mature root ball of the selected variety. A minimum diameter of 15 to 20 inches is often recommended for larger cultivars like ‘Provence’. The focus remains on excellent drainage, achieved by using a porous potting mix and ensuring the container has multiple drainage holes.