The short answer

Quick Answer

Lavender thrives in full sun on chalky, sandy, loamy soils (pH 6.5-8), free-draining. Reaches 60 to 80cm tall and wide at maturity. Excellent chalk tolerance. Hardy to around -15°C.

Read on for pruning, planting, companions, seasonal care and common problems.

On this page

Pruning

When: Late August after flowering, and again lightly in April

How: Shear off spent flower stems and trim back by one third. Never cut into old woody stems as they rarely reshoot

Origin, history and folklore

Origin: Mediterranean, western Europe and North Africa

Native or exotic: Exotic to the UK. A close relative, Lavandula spica, has naturalised in a few southern coastal spots

History: Commercially cultivated in England since the 1500s. The Mitcham lavender fields in Surrey were famous in Victorian times

Folklore: In medieval Europe, lavender was tucked into pillows to ward off evil spirits and to help restless children sleep

Fun fact: Lavender has been found in Egyptian tombs over 2,000 years old. The name comes from the Latin lavare, meaning to wash, because Romans used it in bath water

Historical medicinal uses: Essential oil is still used for relaxation and minor burns. Historically used in salves for headaches and insect bites. Not for internal use

Wildlife and biodiversity

Pollinators: Exceptional. Honeybees, bumblebees, butterflies and moths. A single mature plant can host 30+ bees at peak flowering [3][4][5]

Pollinator ranking: 10 out of 10 (10 means a lot of pollinators, 1 means little) [3][4][5]

Biodiversity value: 8 out of 10 High. Provides nectar during the mid-summer gap when many other plants have finished[4][5][13]

Seasonal highlight: 7 out of 10 Peak flowering in late June to early August[3][4]

Companion planting and pests

Companion planting: Pairs well with roses to deter aphids. Also pairs with catmint, stipa and rosemary in Mediterranean beds

Pest control: Strong scent repels aphids, fleas and moths. Traditionally used in sachets to protect stored clothes

Common diseases and issues: Root rot in wet soils, cuckoo spit (froghoppers), rosemary beetle. See RHS root rot advice

Invasive note: Not invasive in the UK. Some Lavandula stoechas (French lavender) can self-seed mildly in warm coastal gardens

CGM care note

We replace lavender hedges that have gone leggy. The trick is annual hard pruning after flowering and a gravel mulch to keep the crowns dry through winter.

CGM guides mentioning Lavender

These articles from our Gardening Knowledge library mention Lavender and may be useful if you are researching or growing this plant.

Useful resources

Plant relationships, Lavender

How Lavender fits with other plants in a real Chiltern garden, what it works well with, what to avoid, and what to use instead in tricky spots.

Works well with

  • Rosemary, shares Mediterranean conditions, full sun, free-draining soil, drought-tolerant once established
  • Thyme, shares Mediterranean conditions, full sun, free-draining soil, drought-tolerant once established
  • Sage, shares Mediterranean conditions, full sun, free-draining soil, drought-tolerant once established
  • Salvia (Perennial Sage), shares Mediterranean conditions, full sun, free-draining soil, drought-tolerant once established
  • Bay, shares Mediterranean conditions, full sun, free-draining soil, drought-tolerant once established
  • Oregano, shares Mediterranean conditions, full sun, free-draining soil, drought-tolerant once established

Avoid planting beside

  • Rhododendron, conflicting growing conditions
  • Camellia, opposite light needs, one will always struggle
  • Blueberry, conflicting growing conditions

Similar alternatives

Better choice for exposed sites

Better choice for shade

Replacement for failed box

If box blight has hit your hedges, these are the alternatives we recommend:

Seasonal succession partners

Plants with non-overlapping flowering windows to extend the season:

Relevant services

Related articles

Local projects using this plant

See our portfolio for real gardens where we've used Lavender.

Chiltern growing year

12-month care calendar

Use this as a seasonal prompt for this plant. Exact timing depends on species, exposure, soil moisture and the weather in your garden.

JanuaryCheck winter damage and protect vulnerable new growth.
FebruaryPrune only where the plant and weather allow; plan spring work.
MarchRemove winter debris, weed carefully and begin feeding where appropriate.
AprilPlant in workable soil and water new plants during dry spells.
MayMulch before the ground dries and watch for pests and new disease.
JuneKeep new planting watered, stake soft growth and deadhead where useful.
JulyWater deeply during dry Chiltern weather and inspect stressed foliage.
AugustMaintain moisture, remove damaged growth and prune only after flowering when suitable.
SeptemberA good month for planting, dividing and preparing soil for autumn work.
OctoberPlant hardy stock, clear diseased material and add a measured mulch.
NovemberFinish planting before hard frost and check ties, stakes and drainage.
DecemberReview the year, protect exposed plants and plan the next season.

References and justification

The values above for Lavender are supported by the following academic and horticultural authorities. Each reference lists the variables it underpins and the basis for the rating. Inline citation markers (e.g. [4]) next to each value link directly to the supporting reference below.

  1. 1
    RHS (2024). Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia). Plant Profile. Royal Horticultural Society.

    Confirms the horticultural values above for light, temperature (RHS hardiness rating), water, soil type, pH, drainage, feeding, and pruning times/method for Lavender. The RHS is the UK's leading horticultural charity and its plant database is the authoritative reference for garden-worthy species in the British Isles.

  2. 2
    Kew Science (2024). Lavandula angustifolia. Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

    Confirms the botanical classification (family Lamiaceae), native geographic origin, and native/exotic status listed above. Kew's POWO is the globally recognised taxonomic authority for vascular plants, maintained by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

  3. 3
    Dmitruk M, Sulborska A, Konarska A, et al. (2019). Floral biology and insect visiting of Lavandula angustifolia Mill. (Lamiaceae). Acta Agrobotanica, 72(2), 1767.

    Peer-reviewed phylogenetic/taxonomic study of Lamiaceae confirming the origin, taxonomy, and ecological characteristics listed above. Supports: pollinators, pollinator_rank, seasonal_highlight, companion_planting.

  4. 4
    Hicks DM, Ouvrard P, Baldock KCR, et al. (2016). Food for pollinators: quantifying the nectar and pollen resources of urban flower meadows. PLOS ONE, 11(6), e0158117.

    Supports the Pollinator ranking of 10/10 for Lavender. The pollinator description above ("Exceptional. Honeybees, bumblebees, butterflies and moths. A single mature plant can host 30+ bees at peak flowering") is consistent with this study's finding that plants in the high-nectar-yield category attract exceptional numbers of bees, butterflies, and moths. The Biodiversity value assessment ("High. Provides nectar during the mid-summer gap when many other plants have finished") is supported by the study's quantification of nectar resources during the mid-summer flowering period (Seasonal highlight: "Peak flowering in late June to early August"). Plants with high floral resources are disproportionately important for sustaining pollinator populations in domestic gardens.

  5. 5
    British Beekeepers Association (2024). Garden Plants for Bees. BBKA.

    Supports the Pollinator ranking of 10/10 and the Pollinators description ("Exceptional. Honeybees, bumblebees, butterflies and moths. A single mature plant can host 30+ bees at peak flowering"). The BBKA maintains the UK's definitive list of pollinator-friendly garden plants, and Lavender's ranking is consistent with BBKA guidance on bee-attractive species. Also supports the Biodiversity value assessment ("High. Provides nectar during the mid-summer gap when many other plants have finished") in the context of garden-scale pollinator support.

  6. 6
    RHS (2024). Pests and Diseases. Royal Horticultural Society.

    RHS pest and disease database confirms the common diseases, pest control notes, and companion planting observations listed above for Lavender. The RHS advisory service is the UK's primary source of evidence-based horticultural pest management.

  7. 7
    RHS (2024). RHS Hardiness Ratings. Royal Horticultural Society.

    The RHS hardiness rating system (H1a-H7) underpins the temperature tolerance value given above. Lavender's rating is consistent with RHS published hardiness data for the Lamiaceae family.

  8. 8
    RHS (2024). Soil Types and Testing. Royal Horticultural Society.

    RHS soil classification and testing guidance supports the soil type, pH range, and drainage requirements listed above for Lavender. The RHS advises on soil assessment for all garden plants in the UK.

  9. 9
    GB Non-native Species Secretariat (2024). GB Non-native Species Information Portal.

    The GB Non-native Species Secretariat database confirms the invasive status assessment for Lavender. This government-backed portal tracks all non-native species in Great Britain and their ecological impact classification.

  10. 10
    RHS (2024). Pruning Guide: Shrubs and Climbers. Royal Horticultural Society.

    RHS pruning methodology and timing guidance for shrubs and perennials underpins the pruning times and methods listed above for Lavender. The RHS assigns plants to pruning groups (1-13) based on flowering time and growth habit.

  11. 11
    RHS (2024). Watering Plants. Royal Horticultural Society.

    RHS watering advice supports the water requirement and drainage values listed above for Lavender. The RHS provides evidence-based watering guidance for UK garden conditions.

  12. 12
    RHS (2024). Feeding and Mulching. Royal Horticultural Society.

    RHS feeding and mulching guidance supports the feeding recommendations for Lavender. The RHS advises on fertiliser application rates and timing for all garden plant types.

  13. 13
    Bentrup G (2008). Agroforestry: Sustaining native bee habitat for crop pollination. USDA Forest Service, Agroforestry Note 32.

    USDA Forest Service research on companion planting for pollinator habitat supports the companion planting and pest control observations listed above for Lavender. This is a peer-reviewed extension publication on agroforestry and biodiversity.

  14. 14
    Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (2024). Plants Used in Traditional Medicine. Kew Science.

    Kew Science's research on plants used in traditional medicine supports the historical medicinal uses, folklore, and history entries above for Lavender. Kew's ethnobotany database is the UK's leading scientific resource on plant use by humans.

Where Lavender performs well locally

Towns where Lavender is well suited to typical local soil and climate conditions.

Excellent and strong match

Suitable with preparation

View all areas we cover