English Lavender
Lavandula angustifolia
flowerThe most classic and beloved fragrant herb plant in the world. Tall spikes of small purple flowers above silver-gray aromatic foliage. English lavender is the hardiest, most fragrant, and most culinary of all lavender species. Beyond its famous use in sachets and soap, it is a culinary herb, an exceptional cut flower, a premier bee plant, and one of the most drought-tolerant perennials available.
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Sun
full sun
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Water
Every 7 days
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Bloom
~120 days
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Difficulty
easy
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Lifecycle
perennial
Comes back every year
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Spacing
18-24 in
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Planting Depth
Crown at soil level; never bury the crown
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Soil pH
6.5-8.0
Growing Details
Soil Type
Sandy, well-drained
Hardiness Zones
Zones 5 – 9
When to Fertilize
No fertilization needed; lean soil produces the most fragrant flowers
Fertilizer
None; excess fertility reduces fragrance and increases disease susceptibility
🌱 Growing Guide
Purchase transplants. Lavender is slow and variable from seed. Plant in full sun in very well-draining, lean, slightly alkaline soil. English lavender is cold-hardy to zone 4 but will die in wet, clay soils even in mild climates. Good drainage is non-negotiable. Prune after flowering each year to prevent the plant from becoming woody. Do not cut into old wood below the green zone.
🌼 Have a different variety?Cultivars of the same species usually share the same basic care, and they differ mainly in flower color, height, and bloom form, not in how you grow them. So this guide still applies even if your exact variety isn't the one shown.
Planting Calendar
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Start seeds indoors
Feb 4
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Transplant outdoors
Apr 29
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Projected first bloom
Aug 27
JJan
FFeb
MMar
AApr
MMay
JJun
JJul
AAug
SSep
OOct
NNov
DDec
✅ Plant alongside
Good neighbors that attract beneficial insects or deter pests
- Roses: Lavender deters aphids and attracts beneficial insects that protect roses
- Vegetables generally: Outstanding bee and butterfly attractor that improves pollination throughout the garden
- Brassicas: Deters cabbage moth and whiteflies in brassica beds
- Fruit trees: Planted under tree drip line, deters ants and attracts pollinators for fruit set
❌ Keep away from
MintFennel
🛡️ Pest & disease prevention
Proactive ways to stop trouble before it starts. Tap a name with an arrow for its full guide
The primary lavender killer: never plant in heavy soil; raised beds with sharp drainage are ideal
Fungal wilt in humid climates; good airflow; avoid overhead watering; remove affected plants
Knock off foam masses with water; rarely causes serious damage
Water spray; insecticidal soap; lavender rarely has severe aphid problems
🌸 Blooms & cutting
For fresh use: cut stems when half the florets on the spike are open. For drying: cut just before the first florets open for longest vase life and strongest fragrance when dried. Hang in small bundles upside down in a warm, dark, well-ventilated spot for 2 to 3 weeks. Dried lavender retains fragrance for 1 to 2 years. Culinary lavender should be used sparingly. A little goes a long way.
🥗 Nutrition & benefits
As a companion plant: outstanding bee plant attracting honeybees, bumblebees, and hundreds of solitary bee species. Linalool and linalyl acetate in lavender flowers have documented anxiolytic, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties. Culinary lavender provides small amounts of calcium and vitamin A. Lavender essential oil is one of the most extensively studied aromatherapy compounds.
⚠️ Toxicity & safety
English lavender is a beloved culinary and craft herb for people - used sparingly in baking, teas, and sachets - but its flowers, leaves, and stems contain linalool and linalyl acetate that make it mildly toxic to dogs, cats, and horses, which may drool, vomit, or go off their food if they eat much of it. It is low-severity and safe to grow and handle; just discourage pets from grazing on it.
For educational and informational purposes only. HomeSown is not medical, health, or other professional advice. Always positively identify any plant before handling or eating it; some plants, and some parts of otherwise-edible plants, are toxic. Consult a qualified professional before consuming or otherwise using any plant, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a health condition.