How to Grow English Lavender
Lavandula angustifolia 'Munstead'
English Lavender 'Munstead' is a popular perennial herb prized for its fragrant flowers and culinary uses. Gardeners grow it to attract pollinators while enjoying drought-tolerant landscaping that thrives in full sun.
📷 Wikimedia CommonsStarting English Lavender: indoors or direct sow?
🌾 Sow directly in the garden — English Lavender is not usually started indoors.
Start seeds indoors only if your season is very short; otherwise, direct sow outdoors once the soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.
Soil, care & harvest
Prepare well-drained soil with a pH between 6.5 and 7.5, as lavender hates wet feet. Since this is a cool-season perennial, start seeds indoors about 8 to 10 weeks before your last frost date or sow directly outdoors after the danger of hard frosts has passed. Press seeds gently into the surface; do not cover them deeply, as they need light to germinate within two to three weeks.
Space plants 18 to 24 inches apart to ensure good air circulation and prevent fungal issues. Water sparingly once established, letting the soil dry out between sessions to maintain its drought tolerance. Apply a thin layer of gravel mulch around the base to suppress weeds while avoiding water retention against the stems.
Watch for spittlebugs, aphids, or whiteflies, though they are rarely problematic if airflow is good. Prevent root rot and fungal diseases by ensuring excellent drainage and avoiding overhead watering in humid weather. Harvest flowers 90 to 120 days after sowing when buds begin to open but before they fully bloom for the best scent.
When to Plant English Lavender
Planting windows vary by USDA hardiness zone. Look up yours by ZIP code.
Companion Plants for English Lavender
✓ Good companions
Lavender repels cabbage moths, flea beetles, and other brassica pests
Both plants repel harmful insects and attract beneficial pollinators
Similar water and sunlight needs, both attract pollinators and repel ants
Similar growing conditions, both repel pests and attract beneficial insects
Lavender deters aphids and ants while attracting beneficial insects to protect roses
Shared preference for well-drained soil and mutual pest deterrent properties
Compatible Mediterranean herbs that deter cabbage worms and enhance each other's fragrance
Lavender may repel whiteflies and improve tomato flavor while deterring mice
✗ Keep away from
Needs moist, shaded conditions that conflict with lavender's Mediterranean requirements
Requires consistent moisture and shade, opposite of lavender's dry, sunny preferences
Aggressive spreader that can overwhelm lavender and prefers more moisture
Nutrition Facts
Per 100g serving (USDA FoodData Central)
