Spanish Lavender Plant Care

Lavandula pedunculata (Mill.) Cav.

Updated · Sources · How we source care data

Lavandula pedunculata, commonly called Spanish Lavender or French lavender, is a species of flowering plant in the family Lamiaceae. It is known for the tuft of two or three butterfly-like, narrow petals that emerge from the top of its ovoid head.

🌿Shrubs🌱Herbs
Water

Every 7–14 days

Light

Full sun

Temp

60–90°F

Humidity

30–70%

At a glance

How do you care for Spanish Lavender?

Plant Spanish Lavender in full sun (USDA zones 13a) and water a young shrub every 7–14 days until it is established. It tolerates temperatures of 60–90°F (16–32°C). Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.

Where Is the Spanish Lavender Native To?

Native range4 countries

What Is the Spanish Lavender?

Spanish Lavender (Lavandula pedunculata) belongs to the Lamiaceae family within the Lavandula genus. Spanish Lavender is native to Iberia, Morocco and western Turkey. Spanish Lavender is also known as French Lavender, Butterfly Lavender.

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

Leaf size: approximately 2 inches.

How Often Should You Water a Spanish Lavender?

Water a young or newly planted Spanish 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.

Watering Frequency

Every 7–14 days

Until established; then in dry spells

What Light Does the Spanish Lavender Need?

Spanish Lavender thrives in full sun.

Light Requirement

Full sun

What Temperature and Humidity Does the Spanish Lavender Prefer?

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

Temperature

60–90°F

Humidity

30–70%

What Soil Mix Works Best for a Spanish Lavender?

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

How Often Should You Fertilize a Spanish Lavender?

Feed Spanish 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.

Fertilizing

Every 6 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 Spanish Lavender?

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.

Spanish 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.

How Far Apart Should You Plant a Spanish Lavender?

Spanish 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.

How Do You Prune a Spanish Lavender?

Prune Spanish 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.

How Do You Care for a Spanish Lavender in Winter?

Spanish 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.

How Do You Propagate a Spanish Lavender?

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

Is the Spanish Lavender Toxic to Pets and Children?

Pet safety not verified

The ASPCA does not list Spanish Lavender, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.

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 Spanish Lavender?

Spanish 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.

What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Spanish Lavender Need?

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

Hardiness Zone

Zone 13a

Keep exploring plants

Spanish Lavender 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.

Spanish Lavender thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.

More Lavandula Species

Other Lavandula species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:

Sources

  • Scientific name & taxonomy: Lavandula pedunculata (Mill.) Cav., family Lamiaceae (first published in Descr. Pl. : 70 (1801)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
  • Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Spanish Lavender, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
  • Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 13a, calculated from the plant's minimum temperature.
  • 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.

PlantoScan app icon

Identify Plants Like the
Spanish Lavender Instantly

Scan any plant with your phone camera and get instant ID, care tips, water and fertilizer reminders, and health checks — all in one app.

Download on the App StoreGet it on Google Play

Free

to download

iOS & Android

platforms

Light & dark

mode

100,000+

species