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Lavender

Lavender

Lavandula angustifolia · L. × intermedia · L. stoechas

Garden Balcony Sun ShrubMedium

For your Lavender

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Profile

Plant group
Evergreen aromatic subshrub
Growth & habit
Stems become woody at the base and carry leafy tips and long flower stalks. Without regular moderate pruning, the centre can become bare.
Foliage
Narrow grey-green, often finely hairy leaves sit opposite one another. Upright flower spikes stand above the foliage.
Family
Mint family · Lamiaceae
Origin
Mediterranean regions, depending on species
Height
Usually 30–100 cm, depending on species and cultivar
Bloom
Usually June to August; French lavender often earlier
Toxicity
Do not automatically use ornamental lavender as food; check species and intended use

Care calendar

Leaf emergence

  1. Jan
  2. Feb
  3. Mar
  4. Apr
  5. May
  6. Jun
  7. Jul
  8. Aug
  9. Sep
  10. Oct
  11. Nov
  12. Dec

Young shoots grow as days become warmer and brighter.

Flowering / flower development

  1. Jan
  2. Feb
  3. Mar
  4. Apr
  5. May
  6. Jun
  7. Jul
  8. Aug
  9. Sep
  10. Oct
  11. Nov
  12. Dec

The exact flowering window depends on species, cultivar and weather.

Leaf fall

Evergreen: no normal complete autumn leaf fall.

Pruning & growth habit

  1. Jan
  2. Feb
  3. Mar
  4. Apr
  5. May
  6. Jun
  7. Jul
  8. Aug
  9. Sep
  10. Oct
  11. Nov
  12. Dec

After checking winter damage, prune moderately within leafy growth at the right time for flowering.

Guidance for Germany and Central Europe. Position, weather, species and cultivar shift these windows; indoor and container plants also depend on their winter conditions.

Your seasonal care plan

  • Find leafy growth before pruning

    Mar · Apr · May

    Check winter-damaged portions and distinguish young leafy sections from old bare wood before cutting. When species and conditions allow, shorten moderately within green growth and retain a balanced, open shape.

  • Shape moderately after flowering

    Jun · Jul · Aug

    Remove spent stems at the appropriate end of the species’ flowering period and shorten only a suitable part of young leafy growth. Check container moisture, water as needed and let excess drain. Do not try to renew all old bare stems with one deep cut.

  • Prepare drainage and the winter position

    Sep · Oct · Nov

    Keep drainage holes clear and choose a bright, appropriately sheltered container position. Distinguish English lavender from less hardy French lavender types. Plan protection by species and cultivar; avoid persistently wet winter compost.

  • Check evergreen foliage and the root ball

    Dec · Jan · Feb

    Healthy foliage remains on the plant through winter. Check containers for persistent wetness and dryness, watering only as needed on suitable frost-free days. Assess blackened stems together with conditions in the root zone.

Highlighted months are guidance, not fixed dates. Observe the plant, root ball and weather; water, feed and repot according to actual need.

Seasonal care intensity

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

Seasonal guidance for Germany. Needs depend on location, weather and species. Check moisture in winter too; these markers are not a feeding schedule.

Peak care Active Reduced care

Care tips

  • Plenty of sun, air and very good drainage are essential. Water pots according to need and allow excess to drain; guard particularly against persistent winter wet.
  • Distinguish English lavender from less hardy French lavenders. Position pots in light with suitable protection; consider both wetness and drying.

Fruit & harvest

Fruit and seed formation

Small dry nutlets form after flowering. Garden harvesting mainly concerns flowering stems; lavender species differ in scent, composition and suitability for particular uses.

Harvest and use

For fragrance, cut flower stems in dry weather. Culinary use requires an identified suitable lavender grown for food; do not automatically transfer uses of English lavender to French or hybrid lavenders.

Plant knowledge at a glance

Position, benefits & character

Position & soil

Plenty of sun, air and very good drainage are essential. Water pots according to need and allow excess to drain; guard particularly against persistent winter wet.

Distinctive features

English lavender, lavandin and French lavender differ in flowering and hardiness. Even a hardy species can suffer in a waterlogged pot.

Benefits

Scent, silver foliage and accessible flowers provide interest across seasons. Flowering plants attract bees and other insects.

Partners & symbioses

Flowers and their visitors contribute to the garden. No fixed companion plant is necessary; similar light and moisture needs are the basis of good combinations.

Pruning & growth habit

Stems become woody at the base and carry leafy tips and long flower stalks. Without regular moderate pruning, the centre can become bare.

  1. 1. Find the leafy growth

    Before pruning, distinguish younger leafy sections from bare older wood.

  2. 2. Shorten moderately

    Remove spent flower stems and an appropriate part of young growth. Do not routinely cut into old bare wood.

  3. 3. Keep the form open to light

    Retain a loose, balanced shape. Assess rejuvenation of old bare plants carefully or raise replacements.

Nursery forms

This overview explains nursery supply forms. It does not indicate current availability in the GREEN24 shop.

Bare-root

Not typical for this profile

Not a typical nursery form for this plant.

Root-balled

Not typical for this profile

Not a typical nursery form for this plant.

Container-grown

Common form

Common potted stock; check species and cultivar.

Young plant

Common form

Rooted cuttings for growing on.

Shrub

Common form

Older branched subshrubs.

Feathered tree

Not typical for this profile

Not a typical nursery form for this plant.

Half-standard

Ask a specialist nursery

Small trained standards in specialist ranges.

Standard

Not typical for this profile

Not a typical nursery form for this plant.

Topiary

Ask a specialist nursery

Balls or compact forms; maintain within leafy growth.

Propagation & grafting

Propagation

Root suitable young stem cuttings. Seed is possible for some species but does not reliably preserve named cultivars.

Grafting

Not required for usual nursery stock; mostly own-root from cuttings or seed.

Species & cultivars

Lavandula angustifolia

English lavender, usually comparatively hardy.

Lavandula × intermedia

Lavandin, often with long flowering stems.

Lavandula stoechas

French lavender with prominent bracts and greater protection needs.

Pests & diseases

These signs support an initial assessment. Different causes may look alike; choose a treatment only after identifying the problem.

Feeding and sucking damage

Inspect leaves and shoots and identify the cause reliably.

Root problems in wet conditions

Assess blackened stems together with persistently wet compost. Address drainage before adding fertiliser.

Bare centre

Cutting too deeply, shading or age can promote bare stems. Extra fertiliser does not reliably make old bare wood reshoot.

Hardiness · USDA

Assess by species, cultivar and cultivation

Distinguish English lavender from less hardy French lavenders. Position pots in light with suitable protection; consider both wetness and drying.

Lavandula angustifolia
USDA 5a–9bGuidance for this species; also consider cultivation, cultivar and root protection.

USDA zones describe long-term average winter extremes. Containers, young plants, wet soil, wind and late frost need separate consideration.

Understand USDA zones and maps →

A closer look

English lavender leaves
Leaf

English lavender leaves

Narrow, finely hairy leaves of Lavandula angustifolia. Reduced-size, uncropped version.

Forest and Kim Starr · CC BY 3.0 us · Image source

Botanical features vary with age, species and cultivar.

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