Plant lavender 2 to 3 feet apart. Plants typically reach between 1 and 3 feet in height. Add mulch (rock or pea gravel work particularly well) to keep weeds to a minimum. Keep the mulch away from the crown of the lavender plant, however, to prevent excess moisture and root rot.

Does the herb lavender come back every year?

Most lavender plants come back year after year and can live for up to 15 years or more. French and Spanish lavenders are more susceptible to frost damage and may not grow back after a harsh winter.

What is the secret to growing lavender?

What is the secret to growing lavender? Lavender needs full sun and good drainage. It is more likely to die from excess moisture than from cold in winter. A pot is an excellent way to provide drainage, though the plant will be more vulnerable to cold temperatures than it would be in the ground.

Is lavender an easy plant to grow?

Growing lavender is easy and rewarding. Lavender can be grown in garden beds or in pots. To grow lavender successfully it needs well-drained soil and full sun. In arid climates lavender grows well as a perennial, but in humid climates it is often grown as an annual.

Where does lavender grow best?

Lavenders thrive in the arid West, but are best grown as annuals or container plants in the South, as they do not thrive in areas of high humidity (with the exception of Lavandula dentata and L. stoechas). Most are hardy from Zones 5 to 9; Spanish Lavender (L. stoechas) is only hardy in Zones 7 to 9.

Is lavender toxic to dogs?

First of all, the ASPCA considers lavender to be toxic to dogs (as well as cats and horses). If ingested, the plant can cause nausea, vomiting, and inappetence. These symptoms can be traced to a single dangerous component known as linalool.

Does lavender keep bugs away?

Lavender has a pleasant scent that comes from the essential oils in the leaves of the plant, but the bugs hate it. Hang some dried lavender in your closet and you won’t have to worry about moths eating your clothes.

What animals does lavender attract?

Lavender also has many benefits for wildlife, especially pollinators. Flowers attract hummingbirds and many species of butterflies including painted ladies, woodland skippers and tiger swallowtails, all three of which are urban species.

Is lavender toxic to pets?

The lavender plant contains a compound called linalool, which can be toxic to animals like dogs and cats. However, the plant has such small concentrations of linalool that toxicity is not a common issue. The problem happens when dogs ingest an enormous amount of lavender.

How often do you water lavender?

Lavender – How to Grow from Seed

Will my lavender plant come back after winter?

Key Takeaways: Lavender does come back after Winter if they are planted in the appropriate climate. French and Spanish lavenders are not cold hardy and may not come back after a cold Winter with freezing temperatures whereas English lavender can tolerate cold climates and grow again in the Spring.

Can lavender survive winter in pots?

English Lavenders will survive winter in pots and tolerate frosts and cold weather, whereas French and Spanish lavenders will not survive outdoors over winter in climates that experience frost and will need to be brought indoors for protection.

Does lavender survive winter?

As mentioned above, English lavender is winter-hardy to Zone 5 and may only need a bit of help in the form of a thin layer of straw. Otherwise, lavender shouldn’t need any extra care outdoors. Spanish and French lavenders, on the other hand, are only hardy to Zone 8, and will need to be brought indoors in colder areas.

Does lavender spread on its own?

Lavenders can spread by foliage growth (as with all plants) and seed dispersal in the late summer. Lavender plants do not spread by self propagation, or any other mechanism (however they are reasonable easy to propagate with some planning).

What happens if you don’t prune lavender?

Prune for healthier lavender plants



An annual pruning is an important step for long-lasting lavender (Lavandula spp. and hybrids) plants. Without it they grow a large, lanky, woody base that can split open — it looks bad and shortens the plant’s lifespan.

Should you cut lavender back?

Left to their own devices, lavender can become woody and ungainly, so to keep plants compact and attractive, it’s best to trim them annually in late summer, just after flowering has finished. Remove any spent flower stalks and about 2.5cm (1in) of leaf growth.