Lavender
Light
- Full Sun
- 8+ hours of light
- Lavender does not do well in shade
Hardiness
- Zone 5 - 9
Water
- Requires 1 inch or less of water per week. Water when 2” - 3” of topsoil is dry.
- Water regularly the first 3 weeks while roots establish, letting the soil dry between watering
- After lavender is establish, water less frequently and allow the soil to completely to avoid fungal infections
- Assure the soil is evenly watered
- Lavender is extremely drought resistant and more prone to root rot
- If placing mulch around lavender, avoid any near the stem as it will promote fungal infections
Container
- Perfect for a garden or a 2+ gallon pot
Transplanting
- Plant in April 25th - June 1st
- Dig a hole 8 inches deep and 6 inches wide. Plant the seedling's root ball as close to the surface as possible and pack soil loosely around it with your hands.
Spacing
- Between Plants: 12 - 18 inches
- Between Rows: 24 - 36 inches
Size
- Height: 24 - 36 foot
- Width: 24 - 48 inches
Harvest time
- 90 - 200 days
Soil
- Loosely packed, well-drained and dry soil composition:
- ¼ compost or humus
- ¼ drainage and aeration material (perlite or vermiculite)
- ¼ loam (sand and silt. Small amount of clay)
- ¼ sand
- Preferred pH: 6.6 - 8.0
Fertilizer
- Fertilize soil before initially transplanting with 10-10-10 NPK, compost or fresh manure
- No further fertilization is necessary throughout the growing season
Use
- Lavender is prized for fragrance and its ability to retain those aromas even after drying! Flowers can also be pressed for oils or used in teas.
Friends
- Plant next to basil, chamomile, oregano, rosemary, sage, thyme, yarrow, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, kale, pumpkins, echinacea, juniper, sedum, roses and various fruit trees
Foes
- DO NOT plant next to cilantro, dill and any other crop plant not listed above
Tips
- Lavender enjoys alkaline soil and will not tolerate a soil pH below 6.5. Take care not to place plants that prefer acidic soil with lavender.
- Lavender takes 2 or 3 growing seasons before blooming.
- Prepare lavender in the spring by pruning taller varieties (+24 inches) to ⅓ of their maximum height or smaller varieties 3 inches from the ground.
- Harvest lavender when buds first begin to open by cutting the 2 - 3 inches below the bottom most flower on the stalk.
- Dry lavender flowers by hanging upside down in a dry, well ventilated area with no direct sunlight. The drying process takes 2 to 4 weeks.
- Lavender contains linalyl acetate (a Linlool compound) which is toxic to cats, dogs and horses. The most common symptom of toxicity is vomiting.