Lavender care guide

Lavandula

Also known as: English lavender, French lavender, Lavandin

Herbs
Care level: Moderate

Pets and children

Caution advised

Contains linalool and other essential oils that may cause vomiting or loss of appetite in dogs and cats; keep it out of reach and consult a veterinarian (or a doctor, for a child) if eaten.

How often to water Lavender

Spring–Summer (Mar–Sep): Every 3 days; Dislikes wet soil: water the base thoroughly a day or two after the topsoil dries, as a guide, and keep it out of the rain in the rainy season.
Autumn (Oct–Nov): Every 5 days; The soil dries more slowly, so wait a few days after it dries, as a guide.
Winter (Dec–Feb): Every 7 days; Keep it dryish in winter, watering on a mild day a few days after the soil dries, as a guide.

Light and placement for Lavender

Generally wants full sun and moving air, with a sunny outdoor spot as the guide; heat and humidity are its weakness, so from the rainy season through midsummer move it under airy eaves out of the rain.

Overwintering Lavender

Overwintering guide: −5°C (23°F) or above

Hardiness depends on the type: English lavender and lavandin generally overwinter outdoors, while French types are best under frost-free eaves as a guide; keep all of them dryish and protect them on freezing nights.

Fertilizing and repotting Lavender

Fertilizer

Needs little: a small dose of slow-release fertilizer in spring and after flowering, as a guide; overfeeding makes it soft and rot-prone, and there is none in midsummer or winter.

When to repot

Spring–Summer (Mar–Sep), Autumn (Oct–Nov)

Common problems with Lavender

Rainy-season and midsummer humidity kill the whole plant suddenly.
Overwatering rots the roots; the leaves gray out and wilt.
Not cut back after flowering, it sprawls, turns woody, and flowers less.

Tips for growing Lavender

In warm regions, heat-tolerant types such as lavandin or French lavender are easier.
Cut the flower stems when the spikes are mostly open; it doubles as harvest and pruning.
When shaping in early spring, cut only into leafy growth, not into bare old wood.

These are AI-generated general guidelines. They vary with the variety, the placement and the pot size. For effects on pets or children, consult a veterinarian or a doctor.

Keep your plant log going

Greenery is a free app that keeps your plant care going, with watering reminders and photo records. Available on iOS and Android.

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