How to Grow Lavender (English)
Lavandula angustifolia
Lavender thrives in full sun and well-drained, even poor or chalky soil. Plant in spring or early autumn, spacing 45-60 cm for hedging. Water sparingly once established — overwatering and heavy soil cause root rot. Prune after flowering in late summer, cutting back spent stems but never into old bare wood. Fully hardy and long-lived when drainage is good. Replace plants every 5-7 years as they become woody.
Yearly Lifecycle
Care Essentials
Rarely needed. A light sprinkling of potash in spring on poor soils. Avoid rich feeds — lavender prefers lean soil.
Watch For
- Rosemary beetle
- Root rot in wet soil
- Grey mould
Companions
Roses, Thyme, Sage, Echinacea
Pet Safety
Care Requirements
Light
Full sun essential; at least six hours direct sunlight
Full sun is essential — at least six hours of direct sunlight daily. Lavender becomes leggy and flowers poorly in shade. South-facing positions are ideal.
Watering
Very drought-tolerant; overwatering kills more than drought
Very drought-tolerant once established. Overwatering and wet soil are the main killers. Water sparingly and only in prolonged dry spells. Never let roots sit in water.
Fertilizing
Rarely needed; light potash on poor soils only
Rarely needed. A light sprinkling of potash in spring on poor soils is sufficient. Avoid rich feeds — lavender prefers lean, well-drained soil.
Pruning
Trim after flowering; never cut into old bare wood
Trim after flowering in late summer, cutting back spent stems but never into old bare wood — it will not regrow. Shape lightly to keep plants compact. Replace every five to seven years.
Growing Tips
Drainage is everything
Lavender hates wet feet. Add grit to heavy clay soil or grow in raised beds for sharp drainage.
Prune after flowering
Trim after flowering to keep plants compact. Never cut into old bare wood — it won’t regrow.
Harvest at the right moment
Cut stems just as the first flowers open, in the morning after dew dries, for the best fragrance when dried.
Pests & Diseases
Pest Rosemary Beetle
Identification: Metallic green-and-purple striped beetles (8mm) and greyish-white larvae feeding on foliage and flowers
- Shake beetles off onto a sheet or newspaper in cool mornings when they are sluggish
- Pick off by hand regularly from autumn through spring
- Spray with pyrethrin-based contact insecticide as a last resort
Pest Cuckoo Spit (Froghopper)
Identification: White frothy blobs on stems concealing pale green nymphs that suck sap
- Blast off with a strong jet of water
- Pick off by hand — damage is mostly cosmetic
- Rarely warranted; no chemical treatment needed
Pest Glasshouse Whitefly
Identification: Tiny white-winged insects on leaf undersides; sticky honeydew and sooty mould on foliage
- Introduce Encarsia formosa parasitic wasp in greenhouses
- Use yellow sticky traps to monitor and reduce numbers
- Spray with fatty acid or plant oil-based insecticide
Disease Grey Mould (Botrytis) Botrytis cinerea
Symptoms: Fuzzy grey fungal growth on stems and foliage, especially in damp conditions; affected shoots wilt and die back
Treatment: Cut out and destroy affected growth promptly; improve air circulation around plants
Prevention: Avoid overhead watering, ensure good spacing, and plant in well-drained soil; remove dead material regularly
Disease Root Rot Phytophthora spp.
Symptoms: Yellowing foliage, wilting despite moist soil, blackened mushy roots; plant collapses and dies
Treatment: Remove and destroy badly affected plants; improve drainage before replanting
Prevention: Plant in sharply drained soil or raised beds; add grit to heavy clay; avoid overwatering
Disease Honey Fungus Armillaria spp.
Symptoms: Sudden wilting and death of the plant; white fungal mycelium under bark at the base; honey-coloured toadstools in autumn
Treatment: Dig out and destroy infected plants including as much root as possible; there is no chemical cure
Prevention: Avoid planting in areas with known honey fungus; maintain plant vigour with good drainage
Popular Varieties
Hidcote
A classic English lavender with narrow, grey-green leaves and deep violet-blue flower spikes. Retains colour well when dried, ideal for crafts.
Munstead
An early-blooming English variety that tolerates heat better than many others. Looser, more spreading habit with lighter purple flowers.
Grosso
Phenomenal
Spacing & Planting
| Plant spacing | 60 cm |
| Row spacing | 90 cm |
| Mature height | 60 cm |
| Mature spread | 60 cm |
For creating a dense hedge with English Lavender (L. angustifolia). For specimen plants, allow 90-100 cm. Row spacing allows for air circulation and harvesting.
