
Image: PlantoScan
Lavender Plant Plant Care
Lavandula angustifolia Moench
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Lavandula angustifolia, or True lavender or English lavender, is a compact and upright plant with narrow leaves and fragrant purple flowers. It is a popular choice for gardens and landscaping due to its attractive appearance and aromatic properties.
Every 7–14 days
Full sun
60–80°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Lavender Plant?
Plant Lavender Plant in full sun (USDA zones 5a–9b) and water a young shrub every 7–14 days until it is established. It tolerates temperatures of 60–80°F (16–27°C). Fertilize it every 7 months during the growing season. The ASPCA lists it as toxic to cats and dogs, so keep it out of reach of pets.
Where Is the Lavender Plant Native To?
What Is the Lavender Plant?
Lavender Plant (Lavandula angustifolia) belongs to the Lamiaceae family within the Lavandula genus. Lavender Plant is native to The Mediterranean. Lavender Plant is also known as English Lavender, True Lavender, Common Lavender.
Lavender Plant displays a compact, upright growth habit, reaching up to 2 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Lavender Plant produces slender spikes adorned with small, fragrant, purple-blue flowers that bloom in late spring to early summer.
Leaf size: approximately 1 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Lavender Plant?
Water a young or newly planted Lavender Plant every 7–14 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established shrubs mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.
Watering Frequency
Every 7–14 days
Until established; then in dry spells
What Light Does the Lavender Plant Need?
Lavender Plant thrives in full sun.
Light Requirement
Full sun
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Lavender Plant Prefer?
Lavandula angustifolia tolerates temperatures of 60–80°F. Lavender Plant prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
60–80°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Lavender Plant?
Well-draining soil mix. Good drainage is essential for Lavender Plant to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Lavender Plant?
Feed Lavender Plant every 7 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established shrubs in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.
Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.
Fertilizing
Every 7 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
Where Should You Plant a Lavender Plant?
Choose a spot with full sun and well-draining soil mix. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.
Lavender Plant is suited to USDA Zone 5a – 9b.
Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped shrubs in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.
How Far Apart Should You Plant a Lavender Plant?
Lavender Plant can spread to about 2 ft (0.6 m) and reach about 2 ft (1 m) tall. Space plants about 2 ft (0.6 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.
Planning a row or hedge? Try the plant spacing calculator.
How Do You Prune a Lavender Plant?
Prune Lavender Plant while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.
If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the shrub in one year.
How Do You Care for a Lavender Plant in Winter?
Lavender Plant is hardy down to USDA zone 5a, so once established it can stay outdoors through winter in that zone and warmer ones.
Water deeply in late autumn before the ground freezes, and spread a 5–8 cm (2–3 in) layer of mulch over the root zone, keeping it away from the trunk.
Young and container-grown shrubs need extra protection: roots in a pot freeze much more easily than roots in the ground.
How Do You Propagate a Lavender Plant?
Lavender Plant can be propagated through stem cuttings, seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to french lavender plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Lavender Plant Toxic to Pets and Children?
Toxic to cats and dogs
Source: ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center plant list. View the ASPCA entry
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Lavender Plant?
Lavender Plant is susceptible to aphids, whiteflies, spider mites. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.
Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Lavender Plant Need?
Lavender Plant grows outdoors in USDA Zone 5a – 9b. It survives winters down to planting zone 5a. Lavender Plant is native to The Mediterranean.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 5a – 9b
Keep exploring plants
Lavender Plant is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Lavandula genus — compare its care with other Lavandula species on PlantoScan.
Lavandula is part of the Lamiaceae plant family — browse all Lamiaceae genera and species.
Lavender Plant thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
Related Plant Care Guides
Closely related plants with similar care requirements:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Lavandula angustifolia Moench, family Lamiaceae (first published in Methodus : 389 (1794)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record, Wikidata.
- Pet toxicity: The ASPCA lists Lavender Plant as toxic to cats and dogs. Source: ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List.
- Photo: © PlantoScan.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 5a – 9b, estimated from the plant's typical growing conditions.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
