Lavender

A Mediterranean shrub grown as much for scent and pollinators as for use in the kitchen. Slow from seed but easy from cuttings, and thrives on neglect once established.

Written by Yemi · Last reviewed August 2026

Maturing this month

First sprouts in 14-28 days, often slow and uneven

Difficulty

Lavender should be ready to harvest this month. Check for size and colour.

Growing Calendar

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Sow

Transplant

Harvest

This month: Sep

Log to journal

Ready to harvest now

•Check size and ripeness
•Harvest regularly
•Store or use fresh

Sowing Guide

What you'd find on the seed packet

Sow Depth

3mm, lightly covered

Spacing

90cm for shrubs grown in groups, 30-45cm for hedging

Germination

14-28days, often slow and uneven

Thinning

Thin to one plant per station once true leaves appear

Grower's Note

Slow and often unreliable from seed. Cuttings are the more dependable method: take softwood cuttings in early summer, or semi-ripe cuttings in late summer.

Recommended Varieties

'Hidcote' holds an RHS Award of Garden Merit, compact with deep violet-purple flowers, one of the best-known English lavenders. 'Munstead' also holds an AGM, flowering around two weeks earlier than Hidcote with softer lavender-blue flowers, growing both extends the flowering season.

Planting Out Guide

Best spaces, conditions and how to plant out

Plant Spacing

30-90cm depending on variety and use (closer for hedging, wider for a specimen shrub)

Best Grown In

Raised beds, gravel gardens, containers, against a sunny wall

Conditions

Full sun. Poor to moderately fertile, free-draining soil, tolerates chalk and alkaline conditions well.

Grower's Note

Struggles in heavy clay or anywhere water sits after rain, plant on a mound or raised bed if drainage is doubtful.

Growing Stages

Approximate weeks from sowing to harvest

Sprouting

3wks

Seeds germinate and first leaves emerge. Keep warm and moist.

Establishing

10wks

Root system develops and plant builds structure. Pot on if needed.

Maturing

20wks

Plant reaches full size and begins producing. Harvest at peak.

Total~33 weeksfrom seed to harvest

Companion Plants

Plant these nearby for natural pest control, better yields, and healthier soil.

Cabbage

Repels Pests

Lavender's strong scent is thought to help confuse cabbage white butterflies looking for brassicas to lay eggs on.

Carrot

Repels Pests

The strong scent is thought to help mask the smell that draws carrot fly to its host plant.

Strawberry

Attracts Pollinators

Lavender's long flowering season keeps bees visiting nearby, helping pollinate strawberry flowers.

Rosemary

Repels Pests

Both are tough Mediterranean shrubs sharing the same dry, free-draining conditions, and their combined scent is thought to reinforce the pest-masking effect of each.

Climate Control

Today

—C

Humidity

—%

Water

Every 3–4 days

Sunlight

6+ hours direct sun

Watch Out For

Waterlogged or heavy clay soil causes root rot: plant on a mound or raised bed if drainage is poor, and add horticultural grit if needed

Hard pruning into old bare wood rarely regrows: trim only into the current season's green growth, never cut back below where leaves are visible

Lavender shab (a fungal dieback) can kill whole branches suddenly: remove and destroy affected stems promptly, and avoid overhead watering

What You'll Need

Equipment for growing lavender

Modular Seed Tray

96-cell for precision sowing

Fine Rose Watering Can

Gentle shower for seedlings

Bamboo Canes

Pack of 20 × 120cm

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Grown Organically

Every method in this guide works with natural systems: no synthetic chemicals, no shortcuts.

Read our approach

Common Questions

About growing Lavender in the UK

Why is my lavender dying?

The most common cause is waterlogged or heavy clay soil, lavender's roots rot quickly if they sit wet. Improve drainage with grit or plant on a raised mound, and avoid rich, heavily fed soil, which produces soft growth prone to rot.

How do I prune lavender?

Trim after flowering has finished, cutting back the flowered stems and a couple of centimetres of leafy growth to keep a rounded shape. Avoid cutting into old bare wood, most lavenders don't regenerate from it and can die back completely.

Can I grow lavender from seed?

Yes, but it's slow and often uneven, seed can take several weeks to germinate and plants take a couple of years to reach full size. Softwood cuttings taken in early summer are quicker and more reliable if you want plants that match a specific variety.

Which lavender variety should I choose?

English lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) varieties like 'Hidcote' and 'Munstead' are the hardiest choice for most UK gardens and both hold the RHS Award of Garden Merit. French and Spanish lavenders are less hardy and better suited to a sheltered spot or a container that can be moved under cover in a cold winter.

Written from real growing experience, not just research. Read the story behind Pelham Gardens.

Member guides

There's more to growing Lavender than this guide covers.

A Garden Journal to log what worked, a personalised sowing planner in My Garden, and monthly reminders timed to the calendar.

See what's included