Lavender is a beloved plant that brings beauty, fragrance, and a touch of Mediterranean charm to any garden. Many of you have stopped by our stand at the farmers market to share your love for this plant and the joy it brings to your gardens. Some have mentioned the challenges of keeping lavender healthy. Others have asked whether it can be grown successfully in our local climate. Whether you’re troubleshooting the health of an existing plant or wanting to add lavender to your garden, this guide will help you cultivate healthy, vibrant lavender at home.
Choose the best plant for your climate
With 47 species in the Lavandula genus and over 450 cultivars, picking the right variety may feel overwhelming. However, choosing a lavender suited to your local climate is the first key to success. Start by identifying your climate zone using the USDA zone map. Keep in mind that this map only accounts for temperature, so you’ll also need to consider rainfall and humidity levels, which are both crucial to lavender’s health.
Lavender’s native habitat is the Mediterranean, where the climate is mild, the rainfall moderate, and the humidity low. While not all areas perfectly match these conditions, there are several varieties bred to thrive in non-native environments.
For cooler climates, consider these hardy varieties:
- Lavandula x intermedia ‘Phenomenal’®
- Lavandula angustifolia ‘Hidcote’
- Lavandula angustifolia ‘Munstead’
- Lavandula angustifolia ‘Royal Velvet’
If you live in a hot and humid climate, try:
- Lavandula x intermedia ‘Phenomenal’®
- Lavandula x intermedia ‘Sensational!’™
By selecting the right variety for your growing conditions, you’ll set yourself up for success. A detailed list of some of our favorite plants may be found here.
Planting and caring for lavender
When chatting with visitors at the market, we often hear about the same challenges in keeping lavender healthy. Here are the common problems and how to avoid them.
- Soil: Lavender thrives in well-drained, slightly alkaline soil, like its native rocky and sandy environment. If your garden soil tends to retain moisture, consider amending it with gravel or perlite to improve drainage. We recommend having your soil professionally tested to understand its pH and composition. Lavender prefers a pH of 6.5 to 7.5.
- Sun: Lavender loves sunlight! Make sure to plant it in a spot that receives at least 6 hours of direct sun each day. If possible, aim for 8 hours to encourage optimal growth and blooming.
- Watering: Once established, lavender is drought-tolerant and can suffer from over-watering. If your plant is wilting or turning yellow, it’s likely receiving too much water. Water only when the soil feels dry, and be particularly cautious during rainy periods. Allow the soil to dry out completely between waterings.
- Humidity: Lavender thrives in dry air. So gardeners in humid climates may face issues like fungal diseases. To prevent this, space your plants farther apart to improve airflow.
- Mulching: Traditional mulches like wood chips, bark, and leaves can trap moisture around lavender plants, creating an overly humid environment that lavender dislikes. If you must mulch, opt for stones or gravel to help with drainage and avoid moisture build-up.
- Fertilizing: Unlike many other garden plants, lavender doesn’t need rich soil. While some growers advise not fertilizing at all, research shows that lavender benefits from small amounts of fertilizer. A light application of compost in the spring or an occasional, diluted dose of flower garden fertilizer will provide just enough nutrients without overwhelming the plant.
Growing lavender is worth the effort
Growing lavender comes with some challenges, but with a few adjustments, it’s absolutely worth the effort. By late spring and early summer, you’ll be rewarded with fragrant blooms and colorful stems, perfect for harvesting and using in a variety of ways—from dried bouquets to culinary treats. For those of you who have struggled to keep lavender alive, don’t give up. Small changes can make a big difference to your plant’s health.
We hope these tips help you grow beautiful lavender in your own garden. The next time you see us, feel free to ask any additional questions. We love hearing about your lavender-growing experiences and are always happy to help!