Lavender has long been a favourite in British gardens all over the country. It’s renowned for its unmistakable fragrance and medicinal potential, as well as its graceful, purple-blue flowers and versatility in a variety of displays. Lavender is a plant that offers beauty, scent, and practicality all in one gorgeous package. Your dream might consist of a border lined with English lavender, pots filled with French lavender or a wild display of Spanish lavenders. Whatever you’re envisioning, timing is crucial for a stunning showcase. If you want your lavender plants to thrive, produce an abundance of blooms and live for years to come, understanding the best time to plant lavender is the first step.
This blog will offer a closer look at the whens, wheres and hows of planting lavender successfully.
The best time to plant lavender in the UK is in late spring through early summer. By this point, the soil has warmed, the chance of frost has passed, and the sun is strong enough to encourage healthy growth. Planting lavender during this window allows young lavender plants to build strong root systems before winter sets in. It’s worth noting that recent UK springs and summers have been warm, so it’s crucial to plant before the ground gets too dry.
Aim for May to early July for the best results. If you choose pre-grown lavender plants, you’ll find the process even easier. They’re more resilient than seeds and give you a head start on seeing flowers and foliage. Pre-grown lavender plants are helpful if you’re short on time or want to enjoy lavender blooms the same season.
When you plant lavender at the right time, you give it a good start on establishment. From English lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) with its long-lasting fragrance to the more delicate French lavender, each variety benefits from a warm, bright start.
You should always avoid planting lavender in late autumn or winter. Cold, wet soil is one of lavender’s worst enemies, especially in its early stages. Newly planted lavender is vulnerable to rotting roots, frost damage, and poor growth when planted in damp, chilly conditions. It may be tempting, especially as garden centres stock discounted young lavender plants towards the end of the season, but you should still resist the urge. For the healthiest plants, always wait until the environmental conditions are warm and welcoming.
Another time to avoid is during heatwaves or prolonged dry spells in midsummer, which are becoming increasingly common in the UK. Lavender loves the sun, but newly planted lavender struggles to cope when temperatures soar above 30°C and the soil dries out too quickly. If you feel the need to grow at this time, take some extra time and care with watering and provide temporary shade until roots establish.
Lavender grows best when its environment mimics the sun-drenched hillsides of the Mediterranean. Finding the right spot in the limited space of a back garden makes a huge difference to how well your lavender flowers, how long it lives and how healthy it looks.
Lavender is a sun-loving plant, and without enough light, it won’t thrive. Aim to plant lavender somewhere that gets at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sun daily. Sunlight encourages stronger growth, richer fragrance and a profusion of purple-blue flowers (and other colours in different varieties). Without it, lavender plants become leggy, sparse and lacklustre. If your garden is shady, container growing may allow you to move the plant to sunnier positions.
Lavender prefers moderately fertile, well-draining soil. Unlike many garden plants, lavender doesn’t like rich, organic soil. Too much fertility promotes leafy growth over flower production, resulting in an underwhelming display. The right balance is vital.
Good drainage is essential. Don’t allow your plants to sit in wet soil – this is one of the main reasons people struggle to grow lavender successfully. If you have heavy clay soil, add grit, coarse sand or plant in raised beds. A slightly alkaline pH is ideal, but healthy lavender will adapt if the drainage is correct.
Lavender is just as happy in a well-drained border as it is in a container. If your garden soil isn’t suitable, pots are a wonderful alternative that require less of a comprehensive garden overhaul. Growing lavender in containers allows you to move them to catch the sun, control the soil mix, and even bring in more tender varieties like French lavender under cover in winter.
Garden borders are excellent for hardy varieties like English lavender and Irish Moss, which form neat hedges and fill paths with their scent. Containers are perfect for Spanish lavenders and French lavender, which are easier to maintain with extra shelter and drainage.
Planting lavender is a simple process, but there are a few golden rules to follow if you want strong, thriving plants.
Before planting, take time to improve your soil and give it the right balanced nutrient profile. Mix in horticultural grit or sand if drainage is poor, and avoid over-enriching the soil with compost. Lavender prefers leaner soil as it encourages it to focus on flowering.
Lavender grows into rounded bushes, so proper spacing is crucial. Place plants 30-45cm apart, depending on the variety. For hedging, plant closer together for a lusher, fuller effect, but leave enough space for air to circulate. This prevents common fungal problems and ensures even growth.
Pre-grown lavender plants should be planted by digging a hole just big enough to fit the root ball. The crown of the plant should sit level with the soil surface, as planting too deeply can encourage rot.
Water your soil well immediately after planting. Keep the soil lightly moist to the touch for the first few weeks to help roots establish. Once the plant is settled, reduce watering significantly. Lavender thrives in dry conditions, and too much water is more harmful than too little.
Caring for lavender after planting is straightforward, but a few simple practices can make all the difference.
Established lavender is drought-tolerant and should only be watered sparingly. Wait until the soil is fully dry before watering again. Overwatering is one of the quickest ways to kill lavender (among many other plants). A good rule of thumb is to water deeply but infrequently, encouraging roots to grow downwards.
Lavender doesn’t need much additional feeding. In fact, fertilising too often results in leafy plants with fewer flowers. If you’d like to boost flowering, apply a light dose of potash in spring. This encourages stronger stems and more blooms during the flowering season.
Pruning lavender is essential to keep it healthy and attractive. Without pruning, lavender grows woody, sparse and short-lived. The best approach is to prune after the flowering season, which usually occurs in late summer. Cut back by about a third, shaping the plant neatly but avoiding old woody stems. With annual pruning, lavender plants can live for a decade or more.
Don’t be afraid to prune generously. Many hesitate, worried they might damage the plant. But lavender thrives when pruned. Try to consider it the same way you would a regular haircut – cutting back keeps it looking fresh and full.
English lavender is a powerfully hardy perennial and copes with the UK’s cold winters, but French lavender and Spanish lavender varieties need a little extra attention. If you grow them in pots, move them into a sheltered spot, such as a porch or greenhouse, for the colder months. Alternatively, cover with horticultural fleece during particularly harsh frosts.
For added protection, you can mulch around the base of English lavender plants with gravel. This prevents excess moisture from pooling around the roots while providing a bit of insulation.
Choosing the right lavender variety depends on where you want to grow it and how you want to use it.
English lavender (Lavandula angustifolia). Hardy, fragrant, and reliable. Excellent for hedges, borders, and cutting. The
rosea variety is also suitable and comes in a stunning pink colour.
French lavender. Instantly recognisable for its tufted flower bracts that look like rabbit ears, this variety is best grown in pots or sheltered gardens.
Spanish lavenders. Dramatic, striking blooms that are slightly less hardy but wonderful in summer displays.
Other notable varieties include:
‘Hidcote’. A compact English lavender with deep purple-blue flowers, perfect for edging pathways or smaller pot lineups.
Lavender stoechas. A popular choice known for its variegated blooms with thick, flower spikes topped with petals, available in different colour varieties.
‘Provence’. Known for long stems, making it ideal for cut flowers, floral arrangements and drying for potpourri.
‘Aromance White’.
A hybrid variety prized in the perfume industry for its strong fragrance and long-lasting flowers.
You can extend the flowering season and create a diverse lavender display by mixing varieties, keeping your garden buzzing with life.
Lavender isn’t just beautiful, it’s practical too.
Bees, butterflies and even hoverflies, among other pollinators, flock to lavender flowers. By planting lavender, you’re supporting local wildlife and encouraging pollination throughout your garden. This benefits the lavender itself and also any fruit trees, vegetables and other flowering plants in your outdoor space.
Lavender grows happily with very little care. Once established, it needs little more than sunlight, pruning and the occasional drink in dry spells. Compared to fussier plants, it’s refreshingly easy-going. What feels like a little bit of neglect can sometimes make lavender stronger.
Lavender is a feast for the senses. The unmistakable fragrance of lavender transforms gardens, creating a calming, uplifting atmosphere. Its purple-blue flowers add a sense of visual elegance. Lavender paths are especially effective for enhancing your sensual experience. Brushing against the pretty foliage as you walk, releasing waves of relaxing fragrance.
Cut lavender flowers to enjoy indoors, dry them for sachets or even use them in cooking. Lavender oil is widely used in aromatherapy and skincare, giving the plant some extra life beyond the garden. Homemade lavender teas, infused sugars, and even lavender shortbread biscuits are easy ways to use this fragrant herb.
Lavender naturally repels mosquitoes, moths and even deer. It’s a decorative way to keep pests and uninvited plantlife at bay while adding colour and charm. Planting lavender near outdoor seating areas or entryways offers a unique blend of beauty and practicality.
Even the toughest plants face occasional issues; however, most have simple solutions.
Root rot caused by soggy soil.
Avoid this by ensuring the soil drains freely or by planting in raised beds.
Leggy growth due to lack of pruning. Prune lavender annually to encourage dense, bushy growth.
Few flowers, linked to shade or overly fertile soil. Plant lavender in sunny spots and avoid rich compost.
Frost damage, especially in more tender varieties. Bring pots indoors or cover them in winter.
Yellowing leaves signal poor drainage or overwatering. Reduce watering and improve soil conditions.
The best time to plant lavender is in spring to early summer, when the soil is warm and the sun is plentiful. Giving your lavender plants the right start by choosing the sunniest spot, planting in moderately fertile, well-draining soil, and pruning regularly will set them up for years of sustained success.
Planting lavender isn’t just about adding flowers to your outdoor space; it’s about bringing fragrance, pollinators and timeless charm into your garden. Once you’ve experienced a summer garden filled with lavender blooms, you’ll wonder how you ever lived without them.
For some high-quality pre-grown lavender, visit our range at One Click Plants today. We have a variety of different lavender plants, ready to plant in beds or containers and grow to exciting heights. For more insights into the world of gardening, check out our Knowledge Hub.
The best months are May and June, when frost has passed and the soil is warm enough to facilitate root development.
It’s best to avoid planting lavender in winter. Newly planted lavender doesn’t cope well with wet, cold soil, which can damage roots and prevent growth.
Yes! Growing lavender in pots is a fantastic option, especially for tender varieties like French lavender or for gardens with heavy soil. Just make sure the container drains well. Using terracotta pots can help regulate moisture and provide the plant with an ideal environment.
Lavender takes 1 to 3 years to reach maturity. However, pre-grown lavender plants often flower in their first summer. From the second year onwards, you’ll enjoy increasingly abundant lavender blooms as the plant matures.
You can buy pre-grown lavender plants from most garden centres, nurseries and reputable online retailers like One Click Plants. Choosing healthy young lavender plants gives you the best start for long-lasting blooms.
With proper care, English lavender can live for 10–15 years. Regular pruning, correct planting conditions and avoiding overwatering will all extend the life of your lavender plants.
Yes! You can propagate lavender from cuttings. Take semi-ripe cuttings in late summer, plant them in a gritty compost mix, and keep them sheltered until they establish. Propagating lavender is a cost-effective way to grow your collection and ensures you always have new plants to replace older ones.
Lavender is generally safe for dogs and cats when planted in the garden. However, essential oils derived from lavender can be harmful if ingested in large amounts. Always use caution with concentrated forms indoors.
No. Lavender is a perennial with a distinct flowering season, usually from June to August in the UK, depending on the variety. English lavender often flowers earlier, while French lavender may provide blooms later in the season. By combining varieties, you can extend the flowering period.
Yes! Beyond cut flowers, you can pot lavender indoors for a short time, as long as it receives ample sunlight. Lavender loves fresh air, so long-term indoor growing is tricky, but using pots indoors temporarily adds fragrance and charm.
Absolutely. Lavender can be used in baking, desserts and even savoury dishes. English lavender varieties are preferred for culinary use because of their sweeter, softer flavour compared to stronger French types. Try adding lavender to shortbread, scones or infused sugar toppings.
There are several possible reasons: too much shade, overly fertile soil or incorrect pruning. Ensure your lavender is in full sun, planted in lean soil, and pruned annually to encourage a flush of flowers.
