Does it need pruning?

Yes, prune lightly after flowering to maintain a bushy shape.

Can I grow it in a pot?

It thrives in containers as long as they have excellent drainage.

Plant guide

English lavender.

Lavandula angustifolia Mill.

Pronounced lav-AN-dew-lah an-gus-ti-FO-lee-ah

Also known as English Lavendar, English Lavender, Garden Lavender, Lavender

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

English lavender is a classic garden favorite known for its fragrant, purple flower spikes and silvery foliage. It thrives in sunny spots with well draining soil. You will love how it brings a Mediterranean feel to your outdoor space.

Another photo of English lavender — Photo by Stuart Fraser (CC BY) via iNaturalist

At a glance

Care level: Moderate
Plant type: Perennial shrub
Light: Full sun
Indoor light: Direct sun
Water: Every 7 to 14 days
Mature size: 2 to 3 feet
Growth rate: Medium
Hardiness: USDA 5 to 9
Bloom time: Early to mid summer

Care

Plant in very well draining soil to prevent root rot. Watch for yellowing leaves, which often signal too much moisture. Pruning after flowering keeps the plant from becoming too woody.

Watering: Allow the soil to dry out completely between waterings.
Feeding: Apply a light, balanced fertilizer once in early spring.
Pruning: Trim back by one third after the main flowering flush ends.
Repotting: Repot only when the plant becomes root bound in its container.
Soil: Sandy or gravelly, alkaline soil
Soil pH: 6.5 to 8.0
Temperature: -20 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
Plant growth has slowed significantly

Safety

People: It is generally considered non-toxic to humans when consumed in small culinary amounts.
Pets: Lavender is toxic to cats and dogs if ingested in large quantities.
Children: The plant is safe to handle, but ingestion of large quantities of raw foliage should be avoided by small children.
Contact allergens: Some people may experience skin irritation from the essential oils found in the foliage.
Airborne allergens: The pollen can trigger mild reactions in those sensitive to Lamiaceae family plants.
Edibility: Ensure you are using culinary grade lavender, as ornamental varieties may be treated with pesticides.

How to identify it

Narrow, greyish green leaves
Fragrant purple flower spikes
Woody base stems
Compact, mounded growth habit

Height: 0.3 to 0.9m
Spread: 0.3 to 0.9m
Leaves: gray-green, evergreen
Flowers: purple, lavender, blue, white, 1 to 8cm

Problems to watch for

By symptom

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Growing it

Propagation: cuttings, seed
When to plant: spring, early autumn
Overwintering: Keep the soil on the drier side during winter to prevent root rot. In very cold climates, provide a light mulch around the base but keep it away from the stems.
In containers: It grows very well in containers, provided you use a pot with drainage holes and a gritty, fast draining soil mix.

Softwood cuttings

Take a 10 cm cutting from non flowering growth in late spring.
Remove the lower leaves.
Dip the end in rooting hormone.
Place in a pot with sandy, well draining soil.
Keep moist and in bright, indirect light until rooted.

Group plants with similar low water needs to prevent accidental overwatering of your lavender.

Grows well with

Rosemary — They share similar requirements for sun and well drained soil.
Thyme — This herb enjoys the same dry, sunny conditions.
Sage — It makes a great visual and cultural companion in a Mediterranean herb garden.

Similar species

Lavandin — A hybrid that is often larger and more vigorous than true lavender.
Spanish Lavender — Features distinct flower heads with showy bracts.

Science

Family: Lamiaceae
Genus: Lavandula
Order: Lamiales
Class: Magnoliopsida
Native range: Mediterranean region
Conservation: This species is not of conservation concern and is widely cultivated.

It thrives in sunny, rocky, and well drained soils typical of Mediterranean scrublands.

Value to wildlife: nectar source, attracts beneficial insects
Pollinators: bees, butterflies, moths
Uses: culinary herb, ornamental border, dried floral arrangements, pollinator garden

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

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

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Does it need pruning?: Yes, prune lightly after flowering to maintain a bushy shape.
Can I grow it in a pot?: It thrives in containers as long as they have excellent drainage.

Where the name comes from

The genus name Lavandula is derived from the Latin word for washing, reflecting its historical use in baths.

Good to know

Lavender has been used for centuries in sachets to scent linens.
The name comes from the Latin lavare, meaning to wash.
It is a member of the mint family.
Lavender oil was historically used to disinfect hospital surfaces.

Also in

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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.