Portuguese Lavender Plant Care

Portuguese Lavender (Lavandula latifolia) belongs to the Lamiaceae family within the Lavandula genus. Portuguese Lavender is native to the western Mediterranean basin. Portuguese Lavender is also known as Broadleaf Lavender.

Portuguese Lavender displays a compact, bushy shrub growth habit, reaching up to 2 ft tall with a spread of approximately 3 ft. Portuguese Lavender produces fragrant spikes of purple, blue, or white flowers.

Leaf size: approximately 2 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Portuguese Lavender 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.

Portuguese Lavender thrives in full sun.

Lavandula latifolia tolerates temperatures of 60–90°F. Portuguese Lavender prefers humidity levels of 30–70%.

Well-draining, sandy soil with a pH of 6.4 to 8.3. Good drainage is essential for Portuguese Lavender to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Portuguese Lavender every 6 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.

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

Choose a spot with full sun and well-draining, sandy soil with a pH of 6.4 to 8.3. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Portuguese Lavender is suited to USDA Zone 13a.

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.

Portuguese Lavender can spread to about 3 ft (0.9 m) and reach about 2 ft (1 m) tall. Space plants about 3 ft (0.9 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.

Prune Portuguese Lavender 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.

Portuguese Lavender is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 13). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

Portuguese Lavender can be propagated through seeds, softwood cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to spanish lavender plant care, which shares the same genus.

See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.

Portuguese Lavender 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.

Portuguese Lavender grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. Portuguese Lavender is native to the western Mediterranean basin. In cooler regions, grow Portuguese Lavender as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.