Lavender is one of the best flowers, or herbs, to grow in your garden or landscape! How tall does lavender grow? Good Question... It actually depends on the type and growing conditions!
Lavender plants are beloved for their fragrant flowers and attractive foliage, but their mature height can vary depending on the type. Today I'm sharing factors affecting lavender growth and how to achieve your desired height in your garden.
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Factors Affecting Lavender Height
- Sunlight: Lavender thrives in full sun, receiving at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily. This encourages healthy growth, abundant flowers, and stronger essential oil production. While lavender thrives in full sun, extremely hot afternoon sun in some particularly warm climates can stress the plants. If you live in a very hot region, providing some afternoon shade from harsh UV rays will really help your lavender's health and flower production!
- Soil Conditions: Well-drained soil is crucial for lavender's success. Sandy soil or rocky soils provide excellent drainage, preventing root rot, a common problem in poorly drained soils like heavy clay soil. While lavender tolerates a wider range, slightly alkaline soil (pH 6.7-7.8) is ideal. A soil test can help you determine your soil's pH. If your soil test reveals acidic soil (below pH 6.0), amending it with garden lime can raise the pH and create a more favorable environment for your lavender. While not essential, adding a small amount of organic matter to the planting hole can be beneficial for young plants.
- Genetics: Even within a specific type of lavender, there can be some variation in mature height due to genetics. This is why it's a good idea to check the specific variety you're purchasing from a reputable nursery to get a better idea of its expected height.
How Tall Lavender Grows by Type
The following table shows some popular lavender varieties and their average mature heights with proper care:
Type of Lavender | Botanical Name | Average Mature Height |
---|---|---|
English Lavender | Lavandula angustifolia | 1-2 feet |
Spanish Lavender | Lavandula stoechas | 2-3 feet (some varieties taller) |
French Lavender | Lavandula dentata | 1-2 feet |
Growing Lavender for Different Heights
- Taller Lavenders: Spanish lavenders naturally grow taller. To achieve their full size, plant them further apart, around 24 inches between plants. Good air circulation is also essential, especially in humid climates, to prevent fungal diseases.
- Compact Bushes: For maintaining a shorter, bushier shape with English lavender, prune lavender in early spring before new growth appears. You can use the cut flowers for essential oils, culinary uses or drying for sachets. More frequent pruning can further limit the plant's height and encourage a bushier form.
Spacing for Lavender Plants
When planting lavender, consider the mature size of the variety you've chosen to ensure proper spacing for healthy growth and good air circulation. Here's a general guide:
- Smaller Lavender Varieties (1-2 feet tall): For smaller types of lavender like English and French lavender, space plants 12-18 inches apart. This allows enough room for each plant to reach its full size without crowding its neighbors.
- Larger Lavender Varieties (2-3 feet tall): For taller lavenders like Spanish lavender (Lavandula stoechas), space new plants 18-24 inches apart. This additional space provides room for airflow, which helps plants grow without fungal diseases (especially in humid climates) so they can reach their full height potential.
Planting & Caring for Lavender
- Planting Time: The best time to plant lavender depends on your climate. In warmer climates (USDA hardiness zone 7-9), plant in early fall. In colder climates (zones 5-6), plant in early spring after the danger of frost has passed.
- Fertilizer: Lavender generally doesn't require much fertilizer. A light application of a balanced fertilizer in early spring can be beneficial, but avoid over-fertilizing as it can reduce flower production and make the plant more susceptible to disease.
- Good Drainage and Watering:Lavender thrives with good drainage. This means the soil allows excess water to drain quickly, preventing the roots from sitting in waterlogged conditions. Poor drainage is a leading cause of root rot, a deadly fungal disease for lavender.
- Young Plants: When first planted, water your lavender regularly to help it establish a strong root system. Aim to keep the soil consistently moist, but not soggy.
- Established Plants: Once mature, lavender's drought tolerance shines. Water deeply when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch. Deep watering encourages the roots to grow deeper into the soil, searching for moisture. Avoid frequent shallow watering, which can promote root rot.
- Watering Method: Avoid overhead watering, which can soak the foliage and promote fungal diseases. Instead, water directly at the soil level.
- Remember: Lavender prefers drier conditions once established, but prolonged periods of water stress can also stunt its growth, making the plant shorter. Finding the balance between good drainage and consistent moisture, especially during the first year, is key to a healthy lavender plant.
Container Planting Lavender
The beauty of lavender isn't limited to garden beds! These fragrant plants can thrive in containers as well, gracing patios, balconies, and sunny windowsills.
Height in Pots vs. Ground:
While lavender planted in the ground can reach its full genetic potential for height, container-grown lavender may be slightly shorter. This is because pot size restricts root growth to some extent. However, with proper care, container-grown lavender can still achieve a respectable height, often within a range of 1-2 feet for most varieties.
- Drainage is Key: Make sure your container has drainage holes to prevent waterlogging. Use a well-draining potting mix, ideally a cacti / succulents mix, to allow excess water to escape freely.
- Terracotta Pot: terracotta pots won't directly make your lavender taller, but their drainage properties and breathability can contribute to optimal growing conditions... Allowing your lavender plants to reach their full genetic height potential.
- Pot Size: Choose a container proportionate to the mature size of your lavender variety. Generally, a pot 12-14 inches in diameter is suitable for smaller varieties that reach 1-2 feet tall. For larger varieties that grow 2-3 feet tall, opt for a pot 14-16 inches in diameter.
Harvesting for Bushier Growth and Height Control
Don't just enjoy the beautiful purple blooms – harvesting them throughout the season can actually benefit the plant! Regularly cutting the flower stalks encourages bushier growth and can slightly limit the plant's overall height. This harvesting technique helps maintain a compact shape with varieties like English lavender. Here's how:
- Pruning Effect: Removing flower stalks triggers the plant to redirect its energy towards producing new growth at the base, resulting in a bushier and fuller shape.
- Height Control: Frequent harvesting, especially before the flowers mature and set seed, can gently restrict the plant's vertical growth, encouraging it to focus on lateral growth instead.
Winter Care
Lavender hardiness varies depending on the type. English lavender is generally hardy to USDA zone 5, while some Spanish lavenders may not survive colder winters. If you live in a colder climate (below zone 5), applying a winter mulch of evergreen boughs around the root zone can help protect the plant from harsh winter temperatures.
Providing lavender with the right conditions, including well-drained soil, full sun, and good air circulation, you can enjoy beautiful lavender flowers of various heights for many years. With a little planning and care, you can include these fragrant and versatile lavender plants into your herb garden, rock garden, or a perennial border!
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