Lavender, cherished for its captivating fragrance and beautiful blooms, enhances gardens and homes. Its distinctive, calming scent emanates from its flowers and foliage, enriching any space. This versatile herb offers a touch of Mediterranean charm, drawing in pollinators and providing a serene atmosphere.
Popular Lavender Varieties
Many lavender species offer unique characteristics for different climates and garden designs. English lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) is known for its strong fragrance and cold hardiness, thriving in USDA Zones 5-9. This variety produces dense, purple flower spikes and is a favorite for culinary use and essential oil production.
French lavender (Lavandula stoechas) features distinctive, pineapple-shaped blooms topped with showy bracts, often called “bunny ears.” It offers a milder scent than English lavender and prefers warmer climates, generally hardy in Zones 7-9. Spanish lavender, a subspecies of Lavandula stoechas, is similar but often has darker, more prominent bracts.
Lavandin (Lavandula x intermedia), a hybrid of English and spike lavender, results in larger plants with long flower stalks and a robust, camphor-like fragrance. These vigorous hybrids produce abundant flowers and are often used for commercial lavender oil production. Their specific hardiness can vary depending on the parentage.
Growing Lavender Successfully
Site Selection and Soil
Lavender thrives in full sun, requiring at least six to eight hours of direct sunlight daily for abundant blooms and fragrance. In hotter climates, a little afternoon shade may be beneficial.
Well-draining soil is paramount for lavender, mimicking its native Mediterranean habitat. Lavender prefers low to moderately fertile soil with a slightly alkaline pH, ideally between 6.5 and 7.5. If your soil is heavy clay, amending it with coarse sand, gravel, or perlite can significantly improve drainage and aeration. Planting on a slight mound or in raised beds also helps prevent waterlogging.
Light and Water Requirements
Lavender demands ample sunlight, with at least six to eight hours of direct sun per day being ideal for robust growth and flower production. Sufficient sunlight is also important for essential oil development, contributing to the plant’s potent scent. In humid conditions, full sun helps dry foliage, minimizing fungal issues.
Once established, lavender is remarkably drought-tolerant, rarely needing supplemental watering. Its deep root system allows it to access water from deeper soil layers, making it resilient during dry spells. However, newly planted lavender requires regular watering during its first summer to establish a strong root system. Allow the soil to dry out completely between waterings for mature plants.
Pruning for Health and Bloom
Regular pruning maintains lavender’s shape, promotes new growth, and encourages prolific flowering. Without it, plants become woody and leggy, producing fewer blooms. The optimal time for a main prune is after the first flush of flowers fades in late summer or early fall, typically August or September for hardy varieties.
During pruning, remove spent flower stalks and about an inch of leafy growth. Avoid cutting into old, woody stems that lack green leaves, as lavender does not readily produce new growth from old wood. A lighter trim can be done in spring to remove winter-damaged stems and shape the plant, but do this before new buds appear to avoid sacrificing early blooms. For varieties that bloom multiple times, prune after each flush to encourage subsequent flowering.
Common Pests and Diseases
Lavender is generally resilient, but issues can arise if growing conditions are not ideal. Root rot is the most frequent and severe problem, caused by soil-borne fungi thriving in wet, poorly drained soil. Symptoms include wilting, yellowing leaves, and a mushy base, often leading to plant death. Prevention through proper drainage and avoiding overwatering is the most effective defense.
Fungal diseases like Botrytis blight (gray mold) and Septoria leaf spot can occur in humid conditions or when water sits on foliage. These appear as gray, fuzzy mold or small gray spots on leaves. Ensuring good air circulation through proper spacing and pruning helps mitigate these issues. Minor pests like spittlebugs may appear, creating foamy droplets on stems, but they typically cause only cosmetic damage and can be rinsed off with water.
Harvesting and Using Lavender
Harvesting lavender at the right time preserves its vibrant color and potent fragrance. The ideal time to cut lavender is when about one-third to one-half of the flowers on the stem have opened, typically in the morning after the dew has dried. This timing ensures essential oils, responsible for lavender’s scent, are at their peak concentration. Use sharp scissors or shears to cut stems just above the leaves, leaving about two to three inches of stem attached to the flowers.
After harvesting, lavender can be easily dried. Gather small bundles of 8-10 stems and hang them upside down in a cool, dark, dry, and well-ventilated area. Keeping bundles out of direct sunlight helps retain their color and fragrance. Drying can take one to two weeks, or until stems snap easily.
Dried lavender has numerous applications, from enhancing home fragrance to culinary creations. For aromatherapy, dried buds or essential oil can be used in sachets, potpourri, or diffused for relaxation. In the kitchen, lavender adds a unique floral note to baked goods like shortbread, beverages such as lemonade, and savory dishes, including herbs de Provence blends. Traditionally, lavender has been used for its calming properties and to soothe minor skin irritations. Its strong scent also acts as a natural repellent for certain insects, including mosquitoes.