Lavender is one of Britain's favourite garden plants, loved for its beautiful purple flowers, calming fragrance, and ability to attract bees and butterflies. Although lavender is relatively low-maintenance, many gardeners struggle to keep it looking healthy year after year.
Knowing where to plant lavender, how to water and feed it, and most importantly when and how to prune it can make all the difference. With the right care, lavender can thrive for well over a decade, providing colour and scent throughout the summer months.
In this guide, we'll cover everything you need to know about caring for lavender.
Popular Lavender Varieties
There are many different types of lavender available, each offering unique colours, fragrances and growth habits.
English Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)
The most popular variety for UK gardens, known for its strong fragrance and excellent hardiness. Perfect for borders, hedging and attracting pollinators.
Popular cultivars include 'Hidcote' and 'Munstead'.
French Lavender (Lavandula stoechas)
Recognisable by its distinctive butterfly-like flower heads, French lavender flowers for a long period but is less tolerant of harsh winters.
Ideal for containers and sheltered patios.
Lavandin (Lavandula × intermedia)
A hybrid variety that grows larger than English lavender and produces long flower spikes with a particularly strong scent, making it popular for dried flowers and essential oils.
Popular varieties include 'Grosso' and 'Phenomenal'.
Choosing the Right Place to Grow Lavender
One of the biggest secrets to growing healthy lavender is choosing the right location.
Lavender originates from the Mediterranean, meaning it loves sunshine and dry conditions. For the best results, plant lavender somewhere that receives at least six to eight hours of direct sunlight every day.
It also dislikes sitting in wet soil, so good drainage is essential. If your garden is made of heavy clay soil, use Activearth to break down the clay naturally, using a specially formulated blend of nutrients that will enhance biological activity in the soil to improve the drainage and aeration. Alternatively, lavender can be grown successfully in raised beds or containers, again ensuring good drainage.
Ideal growing conditions include:
- Full sun
- Free-draining soil
- Sheltered from excessive winter wet
- Plenty of airflow around the plant
Avoid planting lavender in shady borders or damp areas where roots may rot.
How to Plant Lavender
Whether planting in borders or containers, spacing is important.
Leave around 45–60cm between plants, depending on the variety, allowing good air circulation and room for growth.
When planting:
- Dig a hole slightly larger than the root ball.
- Plant at the same depth as the nursery pot.
- Water thoroughly after planting.
Top Tip: Sprinkle Root Well around the base of the plant to encourage a strong and resilient root system in order to absorb more water and nutrients to promote healthy growth and resistance to disease.
How Often Should You Water Lavender?
Established lavender plants are highly drought tolerant and require very little watering.
Newly planted lavender should be watered regularly during its first growing season until roots establish. After that, rainfall is usually sufficient except during prolonged hot, dry weather.
Overwatering is one of the most common reasons lavender fails.
Signs of overwatering include:
- Yellow leaves
- Wilting despite moist soil
- Blackened stems
- Root rot
It's always better for lavender to be slightly dry than constantly wet.
Should You Feed Lavender?
Lavender is naturally adapted to growing in poor, well-drained soils, so it is not essential to feed established plants. In fact, overfeeding can encourage excessive leafy growth at the expense of flowers, leaving plants looking leggy and reducing their characteristic fragrance.
However, if your soil is particularly sandy or lacking in nutrients, a light feed in spring can help support healthy growth and vibrant blooms throughout the season. Using Allgrow provides a balanced blend of essential nutrients (NPK 6-2-4), giving your lavender everything it needs without overwhelming the plant with excess nitrogen that can lead to soft, leafy growth. Applied sparingly at the start of the growing season, it can help maintain strong, healthy plants while preserving the compact shape and abundant flowering that lavender is known for.
When to Prune Lavender
Pruning is the key to keeping lavender compact, bushy and flowering well every year.
Without regular pruning, plants become woody, leggy and may split apart in the middle.
There are two ideal times for pruning:
Late Summer Pruning
After flowering has finished, trim away spent flower stems and around one-third of the current season's growth.
This helps maintain shape and encourages dense new growth.
Spring Pruning
In early spring, lightly trim any frost-damaged stems and reshape the plant if necessary.
Avoid cutting into old woody stems that have no leaves, as lavender often struggles to regrow from old wood.
Regular pruning every year significantly extends the lifespan of the plant.
Common Lavender Problems
Lavender is generally easy to grow but can occasionally suffer from problems caused by poor growing conditions.
Leggy Growth
Usually caused by insufficient pruning or lack of sunlight.
Root Rot
Typically caused by poorly drained soil or excessive watering.
Few Flowers
Can result from too much fertiliser, too much shade or overwatering.
Winter Damage
Heavy wet soils and prolonged frost can damage roots, making drainage especially important.
Providing the right growing conditions will prevent most issues before they occur.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does lavender come back every year?
Yes. Lavender is a perennial shrub that returns each year when properly cared for and regularly pruned.
Why is my lavender turning woody?
Lavender naturally becomes woody with age, but annual pruning helps prevent excessive woody growth and keeps plants compact.
Can you cut lavender back hard?
Avoid cutting into old wood with no green growth, as the plant may not recover. Instead, prune lightly each year to maintain shape.
What is the best fertiliser for lavender?
Lavender rarely needs feeding. If required, use a balanced slow-release fertiliser sparingly in spring and avoid nitrogen-rich products.
Final Thoughts
Lavender is one of the easiest and most rewarding plants to grow when given the right conditions. Plant it somewhere sunny with excellent drainage, avoid overwatering, feed sparingly, and prune every year to keep it healthy and full of flowers.
With minimal maintenance, lavender will reward your garden with beautiful blooms, wonderful fragrance, and valuable nectar for bees and other pollinators for many years to come.
