Lavender Plants and Seeds
Lavender wants three things: full sun, sharp drainage and not much water. Get those right and it lives for years. English lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) is the hardiest and most fragrant for cooking. French and Spanish types bloom longer but are less cold-hardy. Lavandin hybrids like Grosso are the big, oil-rich types grown for sachets and oil.
How to choose lavender plants and seeds
- Cold climates: English lavender, such as Hidcote or Munstead, is hardy to about zone 5.
- Hot, humid climates: lavandin hybrids and Spanish lavender handle heat and humidity better.
- Seed vs plant: lavender seed needs cold stratification and is slow. Plants bloom their first summer.
Lavender Plants and Seeds at a glance
| What | Details |
|---|---|
| Light | Full sun, 6 to 8+ hours |
| Water | Sparingly once established; drought-tolerant |
| Soil | Lean, sandy or gravelly, alkaline is fine |
| Hardiness | English zones 5 to 9; French and Spanish 8 to 10 |
| Size | 1 to 3 feet |
| Bloom | Early to late summer |
How to plant lavender
- Choose the sunniest, best-drained spot you have. Raised beds or slopes work well.
- Mix gravel or coarse sand into heavy soil, or plant in a mound.
- Set the plant at the same depth it was in the pot. Don't bury the crown.
- Water well at planting, then weekly for the first month while roots establish.
- After that, water only in long dry spells. Overwatering kills more lavender than drought.
- Prune by a third after flowering, staying above the woody base.
Common problems
- Plant dying from the center: Wet soil or cutting into old wood. Improve drainage and prune lighter.
- Woody, sprawling plant: It wasn't pruned. Prune every year after flowering to keep it compact.
- Seeds not sprouting: Lavender seed needs 3 to 4 weeks of cold stratification and light to germinate.
FAQ
What's the best lavender for cooking?
English lavender, such as Munstead or Hidcote. It's sweeter and less camphor-like.
Can I grow lavender in a pot?
Yes, in a terracotta pot with gritty mix and full sun.
How long does lavender take from seed?
It usually flowers in its second year from seed.
Why is my lavender turning gray and dying?
Usually root rot from heavy, wet soil.
Related collections
Herb Seeds and Herb Plants · Basil Seeds and Plants · Rosemary Plants · Mint Plants and Seeds · Seeds
