How to Grow Lavender

Lavender is a fragrant herb commonly used for crafts, potpourris, cooking, cosmetics, and medicinal uses. It is a perennial plant, reappearing each spring. It grows easily in zones 5 through 8. It bares beautiful lavender flowers. Some species reach 3 feet in height.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. When to Plant Lavender
   
   Lavender seeds can be started indoors 8 to 10 weeks before the last spring frost date in your zone. After the last frost has past, you can transplant lavender outdoors.

2. Where to Plant Lavender
   
   Lavender can be planted in full sun or partial shade. It will do best in a partially raised bed with well drained soil. It requires moderately fertile soil that is alkaline. Space lavender plants 2 to 3 feet apart.

3. Caring for Lavender
   
   The top of the soil should be allowed to dry out between watering to prevent leaf spot a disease to which lavender is prone. Planting in a raised bed also assists with preventing this disease. Pruning in the spring or early summer also helps air circulation and limits the risk of this disease. Lavender can be pruned in spring or summer after it has flowered. The flowers do not have to open before pruning. Prune below the flowers and never cut more than 1/3 of the plant (leaves and stem). Lavender has a tendency to become woody in the center if not well pruned. Pruning in the first three years assists lavender to spread wider.