Growing Information

Growing zone guide
Growing Zone Zone 5, Zone 6, Zone 7, Zone 8, Zone 9
Sunlight Bright light
Type of Soil Alkaline to neutral
Mature Height 20 to 24 inches
Maintenance Level Low maintenance
Water Requirement Low watering (once every 2 weeks)

Learn more about this plant

Additional Information
Growth Rate

Moderate; reaches about 20–24 inches tall and 24–30 inches wide at maturity.


Forms a neat, rounded mound with upright flower spikes.

Colorful Leaves Yes
Flowering Yes
Bloom Color Blue , Purple & Lavender
Ornamental Berries N/A
Disease resistant Yes
Cold Tolerant Yes
Heat Tolerant Yes
Drought Tolerant Yes
Deer Resistant Yes
Edible Yes
Wildlife Attraction

Highly attractive to bees, butterflies, and pollinators.


Deer and rabbit resistant due to aromatic foliage.

Self-pollinating Self-pollinating
Seasonality

Blooms in early summer, with potential rebloom later in the season.


Foliage remains attractive year-round in mild climates.

Ideal For

– Borders, rock gardens, containers, cottage gardens, pollinator gardens, and fragrant pathways

Leaf Description

Evergreen to semi-evergreen silvery-green leaves with a narrow, linear form.


Aromatic foliage releases a classic lavender scent when brushed or handled.

Flower Description

Produces large, deep blue-violet flower spikes on sturdy stems.


Blooms heavily from early to mid-summer, often reblooming with proper deadheading.


Flowers are long-lasting and excellent for cutting or drying.

Pruning & Maintenance

Prune in early spring, cutting back about one-third of the plant to maintain shape and encourage new shoots.


Deadhead spent blooms through summer to promote continued flowering.


Avoid cutting into old woody stems, as they may not resprout.

Water Needs

Water deeply but infrequently during establishment.


Once established, drought tolerant—water only when soil is dry several inches down.


Avoid overwatering; lavender prefers to stay on the dry side.

Light Needs

Requires full sun (6+ hours daily) for best flower production and compact growth.


In extremely hot regions, a touch of afternoon shade helps prevent leaf scorch.

Harvesting

Harvest flowers just before full bloom for best fragrance and color retention.


Hang bunches upside down in a cool, dry place for drying.


Not grown for fruit—produces minimal seed.


Essential oils can be extracted from flowers for fragrance or aromatherapy use.

Fertilizing

Feed sparingly with a light, balanced slow-release fertilizer in early spring.


Lavender prefers lean soils—too much nitrogen encourages soft, leggy growth with fewer blooms.


A small amount of compost can be added yearly to maintain soil structure.

Additional Care Tips N/A
Pollination

Pollinated by bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects attracted to its highly fragrant blooms.


Self-fertile but rarely sets viable seed; primarily propagated from cuttings.

Companion Plants

Perennials: Salvia, Nepeta, Echinacea, Coreopsis, and Gaura for colorful, pollinator-friendly borders.


Shrubs: Rosemary, Santolina, or dwarf conifers for texture contrast.


Groundcovers: Creeping thyme or sedum for dry, sunny spots.


Excellent for pairing with ornamental grasses or planted along pathways for fragrance.

Flowering and Seasonality

Blooms in early summer, with potential rebloom later in the season.


Foliage remains attractive year-round in mild climates.

Produces large, deep blue-violet flower spikes on sturdy stems.


Blooms heavily from early to mid-summer, often reblooming with proper deadheading.


Flowers are long-lasting and excellent for cutting or drying.

Pet Friendly

Yes

Growing Zone
  • Zone 5
  • Zone 6
  • Zone 7
  • Zone 8
  • Zone 9

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