How often should I prune lavender?

Prune once a year after the main flowering flush to keep the plant from becoming woody.

Does lavender need full sun?

Yes, it thrives with at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight daily.

Plant guide

Lavender.

Lavandula

Pronounced lav-AN-dew-lah

Also known as Lavender, Lavenders

Common Lavender — Photo by Naturalista (CC BY) via iNaturalist

Lavender is a beloved Mediterranean shrub known for its fragrant, silvery foliage and spikes of purple flowers. It thrives in sunny, well-draining spots and brings a classic, calming scent to any garden. These plants are quite hardy once established and love a bit of neglect.

At a glance

Care level: Moderate
Plant type: Evergreen shrub
Light: Full sun
Indoor light: direct
Water: Every 7 to 14 days
Mature size: 60 to 90 cm
Growth rate: medium
Hardiness: USDA 5 to 9
Bloom time: Late spring to mid summer

Care

Plant in gritty, fast-draining soil to prevent root rot. Prune back after flowering to maintain a tidy shape and encourage new growth. Watch for yellowing leaves, which often signal too much moisture or poor drainage.

Watering: Allow the soil to dry out completely between waterings to keep the roots happy.
Feeding: A light application of balanced fertilizer in early spring is plenty.
Pruning: Trim back by one third after the main bloom to keep the plant from becoming woody.
Repotting: Repot only when the plant becomes root bound in its container.
Soil: Sandy or rocky, well-draining soil
Soil pH: Neutral to slightly alkaline
Temperature: -15 to 35°C
Humidity: 20 to 50%
Drought tolerance: high
Lifespan: Perennial, typically 5 to 10 years.
Fragrance: strong
Deer and rabbits: high

Signs it needs repotting

Roots growing out of the drainage holes.
Water sitting on the surface for too long.
The plant looks stunted despite good light.

Safety

People: Lavender is generally non toxic to humans, though ingesting large quantities of essential oil can cause nausea or vomiting.
Pets: Lavender is mildly toxic to cats and dogs if ingested in large quantities.
Children: Keep essential oils out of reach, as concentrated lavender oil can be harmful if swallowed by small children.
Contact allergens: Some people may experience skin irritation or dermatitis from direct contact with the essential oils in the foliage.
Airborne allergens: The strong fragrance can trigger sensitivities or headaches in people prone to respiratory allergies.
Edibility: While culinary lavender exists, ensure you have the correct species and that it was grown without pesticides.

How to identify it

narrow, silvery green leaves
spikes of tiny tubular flowers
highly aromatic foliage
woody base on mature stems

Height: 0.3 to 0.9m
Spread: 0.3 to 0.9m
Leaves: silver, grey-green, evergreen
Flowers: purple, lavender, blue, white, 0.5 to 1cm

Common problems

Root rot — This occurs when the soil stays too wet for too long, often due to poor drainage.
Spittlebugs — These insects create frothy masses on stems, though they rarely cause significant damage.

Growing it

Propagation: cuttings, seed
When to plant: spring, early autumn
Overwintering: Ensure the soil is very dry before the first frost to prevent root rot. In cold climates, you can mulch around the base but avoid covering the crown.
In containers: Lavender grows well in pots, provided the container has excellent drainage and is at least 12 inches wide.

Stem cuttings

Take a 4 inch cutting from non flowering new growth.
Remove the lower leaves from the bottom half.
Dip the end in rooting hormone.
Place in a pot with sandy, well draining soil.
Keep in bright, indirect light until roots form.

Group lavender with other Mediterranean herbs that crave full sun and lean, gritty soil.

Grows well with

Rosemary — They share similar requirements for sun and well draining soil.
Thyme — This low growing herb acts as a great ground cover that enjoys the same dry conditions.
Sage — Sage pairs well visually and thrives in the same Mediterranean climate.

Keep away from

Mint — Mint requires much more water than lavender and will quickly crowd it out.

Similar species

Lavandin — This is a hybrid that is often larger and more vigorous than true lavender.
Spanish Lavender — It features distinct petal like bracts on top of the flower spikes.

Science

Family: Lamiaceae
Genus: Lavandula
Order: Lamiales
Class: Magnoliopsida
Native range: Mediterranean region, Middle East, and India.
Conservation: Most common lavender species are not of conservation concern, but always avoid wild harvesting in protected areas.

It survives in dry, rocky soils by developing deep root systems that seek out moisture in harsh, sunny environments.

Value to wildlife: nectar source, pollinator magnet
Pollinators: bees, butterflies, moths
Uses: ornamental garden plant, culinary herb, dried floral arrangements, essential oil production

Through the year

JFMAMJJASOND

Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 2/9
Soil reaction: 7/9
Light: 8/9
Temperature: 6/9
Moisture: 2/9
Nutrients: 3/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

How often should I prune lavender?: Prune once a year after the main flowering flush to keep the plant from becoming woody.
Does lavender need full sun?: Yes, it thrives with at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight daily.

Where the name comes from

The genus name Lavandula is derived from the Latin lavare, referring to its historical use in baths. The common name simply follows the scientific genus.

Good to know

Lavender belongs to the mint family.
The name comes from the Latin word lavare, which means to wash.
Lavender flowers are technically spikes.
There are over 40 known species of lavender.

Is your lavender looking unwell?

This page is a general guide. Pocket Botanist diagnoses problems from a photo of your actual plant, works out watering for your light and conditions, and reminds you when care is due.

Get the app

This guide was generated with AI and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.