Lavender is one of my favorite scents, and one of the most rewarding perennial herbs you can grow in your garden. Lavender is known for its fragrance, silvery foliage, and many household uses. It is both beautiful and functional, and something you should consider growing in your garden. Whether you’re growing lavender for fresh bouquets, dried arrangements, herbal crafts, or homemade products, a healthy lavender plant can provide years of blooms with relatively little maintenance.

Why Lavender?

Lavender is a drought tolerant perennial herb that thrives in sunny locations. It is extremely popular due to its fragrance and beautiful purple flowers.

Gardeners love lavender because it:

• Returns year after year in the right growing conditions
• Attracts bees, butterflies, and other beneficial pollinators
• Tolerates heat and drought (once established)
• Produces fragrant flowers for fresh and dried use
• Makes an excellent cut flower and bouquet filler

In addition to its practical uses, lavender adds texture and color to flower beds, borders, and cottage gardens.

Choosing a Lavender Variety

Not all lavender varieties perform the same in every climate. Choosing the correct variety is crucial for the best success.

English Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)

English lavender is the most cold-hardy option and the best choice for many northern gardeners.

Popular varieties include:

• Munstead
• Hidcote
• Royal Velvet

English lavender typically survives winters in USDA Zones 5-8 and is commonly grown for drying and use in the kitchen.

Spanish Lavender (Lavandula stoechas)

Spanish Lavender grows best in mild climates and is known for it’s spiked flower heads.

Popular varieties include:

• Anouk
• Kew Red

French Lavender (Lavandula dentata)

French Lavender is preferred for drying and has a more subtle fragrance.

Popular varieties include:

• Grey French Lavender
• Royal Crown

Lavandin (Lavandula x intermedia)

Lavandin is a hybrid lavender known for producing long flower stems and abundant blooms.

Popular varieties include:

• Grosso
• Provence
• Phenomenal

These varieties are excellent for dried bouquets and lavender crafts because they produce large flower spikes with a strong fragrance.

How to Grow Lavender

Sun Requirements

Lavender requires full sun to perform its best.

Choose a place in your garden that receives:

• 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Good air circulation
• Minimal shade from trees or buildings

If the plant does not receive enough sunlight, it can become stunted and not produce flowers.

Soil Requirements

The most important factor in growing lavender successfully is drainage. Lavender hates having “wet feet” and will not do well if the soil is too wet.

Ideal soil conditions include:

• Well-draining soil
• Sandy or gravelly texture
• Neutral to slightly alkaline pH
• Low to moderate fertility

If your soil is heavy clay, you may want to plant lavender in raised beds or mounded rows to improve drainage and control soil components more.

Watering

Newly planted lavender needs regular watering while establishing roots.

After establishment:

• Water deeply but infrequently
• Allow soil to dry between waterings
• Avoid having constantly moist soil

Established plants are highly drought tolerant and often require little watering except during lengthy dry periods.

Fertilizing

Lavender generally requires very little fertilizer.

Excess nitrogen can encourage leafy growth and limit the number of blooms the plant produces. Planting your lavender in an area that has had compost incorporated is generally the best way you can set your plant up for success.

Pruning Lavender

Regular pruning helps the plant stay productive and compact.

Once the plant has flowered, cut the stems back in one flush. As you cut, try to shape the plant into a rounded mound. This helps the plant not spread too far out and become floppy. However, make sure you are not cutting down too far into the woody part of the plant. This will damage the plant and will affect future production and ability for the plant to return the following year.

In the spring, remove any damage from winter and lightly shape the plant before new growth begins.

Consistent pruning encourages better flowering and helps prevent plants from becoming woody and sparse in the center.

Harvesting Lavender

The best time to harvest lavender depends on how you plan to use it.

For Fresh Bouquets

Harvest when approximately one-third to one-half of the flowers on a stem have opened. The fragrance will be strong, the color will be vibrant, and the stems will last the longest in the bouquet.

For Drying

Harvest just before the flowers are fully open. This will preserve the color and fragrance and reduce the chance of petals dropping off during the drying process.

Cut stems from the plant in the morning after dew has dried but before the heat of the day.

How to Dry Lavender

Drying lavender is simple and requires very little equipment.

Method 1: Hang Drying

This is the most common method.

1. Gather 20-50 stems into small bundles.
2. Secure the bundle with a rubber band or twine.
3. Hang the bundles upside down.
4. Place them in a warm, dry location with good airflow.
5. Keep out of direct sunlight.

Lavender typically dries within 2-4 weeks depending on humidity levels.

Method 2: Drying on Screens

For individual stems or flower heads:

1. Lay stems in a single layer on a drying screen.
2. Place in a dry, well-ventilated area.
3. Turn occasionally if needed.

This method can help maintain stem straightness and reduce flattening.

Storing Dried Lavender

Proper storage helps preserve fragrance and color.

Store dried lavender:

• In airtight glass jars
• In paper bags for short-term storage
• Away from direct sunlight
• In a cool, dry location

When stored correctly, dried lavender can retain much of its fragrance for a year or longer.

Uses for Dried Lavender

Once dried, lavender can be used in many ways around the home.

Popular uses include:

• Dried flower arrangements
• Wreaths and floral crafts
• Drawer sachets
• Potpourri blends
• Homemade soaps
• Bath salts
• Candles
• Herbal tea blends
• Culinary baking and desserts

Even a small plant of Lavender can produce enough stems for bouquets, gifts, and household projects throughout the year.

Common Problems with Growing Lavender

Root Rot

The most common problem gardeners face with Lavender is wet soil.

Prevent root rot by:

• Improving drainage
• Avoiding overwatering
• Planting in raised beds when necessary

Damage in Winter

Surprisingly, the cold conditions in winter do not cause as much damage as the wet and snowy conditions. Just like overwatering during the growing season can cause damage, wet winters can cause some problems as well. Mulching the plant before winter can help keep the plant dry throughout the season.

Woody Growth

Older lavender plants can become woody and less productive if you are not pruning each year. Try to shape your plant into a round mound to prevent a woody plant.

Final Thoughts

Lavender is one of the easiest and most useful perennial herbs to grow, as long as you are meeting some basic needs. Give it full sun, excellent drainage, and not too much extra attention, and it will be a rewarding addition to your garden!