English lavender

Lavandula angustifolia · Family Lamiaceae

Also known as: lavender, lavandula, common lavender

Light: Full sun
Watering: Every 7 days
Difficulty: Moderate
Pet-safe: No, keep it away from cats and dogs

Want a nudge on the right day to water your English lavender? Use momiroot for free →

Care

Where to put it

A sunny patio pot or the brightest windowsill; best grown outdoors.

Light

Full sun all day. Struggles indoors in low light.

Watering

Water only when the compost is dry. Needs free-draining, gritty compost.

About the plant

English lavender is famous for its scent and purple spikes, grown in great fields in Provence. It needs lots of sun and dry, free-draining soil. In a pot it does best on very sunny verandas.

Origin

Native to the mountains of the western Mediterranean, on dry, rocky, sunny slopes.

What it likes

Full sun
Dry, free-draining soil
Good ventilation

What it dislikes

Excess moisture
Shade
Frequent watering

Did you know?

Its name is often linked to the Latin lavare, 'to wash', from its ancient use in scented baths.

Listed in

Herbs, fruit and veg