Where Should Lavender Be Planted?

Lavender is a Mediterranean plant (in needs if not always in geographic origin) and needs lots of sun and fast-draining soil. It will not survive long in shady, damp or extremely cold conditions. It prefers poor, dry or moderately fertile soil, including chalky and alkaline soils.

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.

Where do you place lavender?

Plant lavender and rosemary in a sunny position or at least where they are in the sun for most of the day. Don’t grow them under a leaf canopy. Many can be grown in pots (see below). For informal plantings we recommend 45cm-90cm (18in-36in) between plants, depending on their eventual size.

How quickly does lavender spread?

Lavender is a slow grower and may take one to three months to reach transplanting size. The greatest threat to lavender seeds and seedlings is fungus. Keep soil mix moist, but provide good air circulation to help reduce disease outbreaks.

Does lavender spread when you plant it?

Lavender grows well in containers or you can plant a lavender hedge to outline the landscape. What is this? Once planted, the hedge grows about one to two feet tall, and each plant will spread from one to five feet.

Is lavender toxic to dogs?

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.

Will lavender come back every year?

Lavender is a Low-Maintenance Perennial
And this beauty will come back to your garden every year, for about 3-5 years, so it’s a great investment. What is this? Before you make any plant purchases, however, I want to remind you to always choose plants that thrive in your plant hardiness zone.

How long does a lavender plant last?

Lavenders are not long-lived plants. Expect tender varieties to live for about five years. If pruned correctly, hardy types can live for about 15 years (as many as 20 years, in some cases).

Should lavender be cut back?

Lavender bushes need to be cut back every year to keep them from growing out of control. “Pruning lavender keeps it looking full, encourages new growth and flowering, and gives you lots of fresh tips to harvest throughout the season,” says Amy Fedele, a home gardening expert and Pretty Purple Door blogger.

Does lavender do well in pots?

All lavender plants grow well in pots and containers due to the favorable drainage conditions, however there are some lavender cultivars that are most suited to growing in pots then others.

What time of year should you plant lavender?

spring
Plant lavender in spring, once all chances of frost have passed. This beautiful, fragrant herb is a great addition to raised beds, in-ground gardens, and growing in containers. Space lavender plants 12 to 18 inches apart in an area with plenty of sunlight and sandy, well-drained soil with a pH of 6.7 to 7.3.

What happens if you don’t prune lavender?

If you don’t prune lavender, the plant will quickly become leggy and woody, and won’t be able to hold its own weight very well. This means the stems will flop over when heavy with flowers, causing the plant to spread out and exposing more of the old wood in the plant.

Does lavender need lots of water?

Lavender is drought-tolerant, which means mature plants don’t need to be watered all the time like your other garden plants. Too much water can leave them susceptible to root rot and fungal disease. Young, newly planted lavender does need regular watering until established (either by irrigation or adequate rainfall).

Are bees attracted to lavender?

While both bumblebees (Bombus spp.) and honey bees (Apis mellifera) are attracted to lavender (Lavandula spp.), the plant is more popular among bumblebees.

What plants go well with lavender?

The Best Companion Plants for Lavender

• Echinacea. Echinacea and lavender make a great pairing, and not just because they look stunning next to each other.
• Roses. Lavender and roses are a classic, pretty pairing.
• Yarrow.
• Sedum.
• Alliums.
• African Daisy.
• Zinnia.
• Gaillardia.

How far should lavender be planted apart?

1 to 3 feet apart
Spacing: Depending on the variety, space plants 1 to 3 feet apart. Planting Time: In areas colder than Zone 6 (Zone 6-1), we recommend planting in spring or early summer. In areas warmer than zone 6 (7-10), we recommend planting in early fall so the roots can get established during the cool, moist winter weather.

Do fleas like lavender?

The scent of lavender oil naturally repels fleas and ticks, making it unlikely that any will burrow into your animal’s fur.

Does the smell of lavender hurt dogs?

While pet parents should avoid using the majority of essential oils, a few are safe for pets if used appropriately. For example, lavender (when used sparingly and in the proper concentration) is probably the safest essential oil for both dogs and cats.

Can you plant lavender around dogs?

Lavender is on the ASPCA’s list of plants that are toxic to dogs. That’s because lavender contains linalool and linalyl acetate, both of which can be toxic at high levels. Typical signs of lavender toxicity in dogs are nausea and vomiting.

How do you winterize lavender?

If your plant will be inside for the winter, keep it in a cool, non-freezing location with sunlight and air circulation. Slow down watering of plants. Lavender prefers a dry soil, and the amount of rain that naturally falls will be sufficient for the plant.

How often should lavender be watered?

How to Care for Lavender. Water once or twice a week after planting until plants are established. Water mature plants every two to three weeks until buds form, then once or twice weekly until harvest. (Yellowing leaves are often a sign of overwatering.)