Lavender

Lavender has many uses in the home garden. It can be a hedge, border, or part of an herb garden. In culinary use, lavender flowers are used in herbal teas and desserts. There are many more uses for lavender in fragrances, potpourris and sachets, oils, and aromatherapy. The various cultivars of lavender include dwarf forms, pink flowers, blue flowers, and purple flowers. The plants can be grown fairly quickly from seed and will bloom in the first year.

How to grow

Type: Perennial, semi-evergreen, woody
Light: Full sun
Soil: Well drained
Water: Drought tolerant once established
Size: 1–3' high, 2–4' wide

When to plant/propagate

From seed: Sow seeds indoors 8–10 weeks before last frost date. Lavender can also be transplanted successfully in fall.
Transplants: Transplant in spring after last frost or in fall
Cuttings: Propagate from cuttings after bloom, or via layering at any time of the year

Harvesting: Harvest the flower heads after bloom

Pruning: Prune after flowering to keep plants from becoming woody

Indoors: Lavender can be grown as an indoor plant with a minimum of 5–6 hours of bright light from a sunny window, or with supplemental light from fluorescent or LED lamps for 14–16 hours a day

Common pests & diseases

More information

Lavenders for California Gardens, University of California Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources
Lavender Growing Guide, Cornell University

Recommended Varieties for Santa Clara County

There are no specific recommendations for lavender varieties.