How to Grow Lavender (UK guide)
Lavender is a beloved perennial herb renowned for its aromatic blooms and Mediterranean charm. Its evergreen foliage and purple spikes create a classic touch in British gardens, while flowers attract bees and butterflies. Whether planted in borders, containers, or informal hedges, lavender is prized for its resilience and versatility.
Growing lavender in the UK
Lavender prospers in sunny locations with free-draining alkaline to neutral soil. It's a low-maintenance shrub that needs annual pruning after flowering to maintain shape and vigour. Lavender is suitable for borders, hedges, and container gardens.
For the Bees
Fragrant, pollinator-friendly, drought tolerant, easy to prune
How to Grow Lavender from Seed
- 01Fill trays with free-draining seed compost and lightly firm down
- 02Sow seeds on the surface and barely cover with vermiculite or sieved compost
- 03Mist surface gently and place trays in a propagator or cover with clear lid
- 04Keep at 18–21°C in bright light, maintaining soil moisture but not soaking
- 05Germination may take 2–4 weeks; transplant seedlings when large enough to handle
You will need
- 01Sunny, sheltered site
- 02Free-draining alkaline or neutral soil
- 03Annual pruning after flowering
- 04Minimal feeding and watering
Plant Calendar
Lavender care essentials
Plenty of Sunlight
Lavender thrives in at least six hours of direct sunlight daily.
Well-Drained Soil
Provides free-draining, sandy or chalky soil to prevent root rot. Avoid heavy, clay soils unless improved with grit.
Shelter from the Wind
Choose a spot protected from harsh winds to protect flower spikes and prevent drying out.
Annual Pruning
Trim spent flowers and tidy up after flowering to keep plants compact and healthy.
Lavender FAQs
Harvest lavender just as the buds begin to open, usually in early to mid-summer. For the best fragrance and oil, pick in the morning after the dew has dried. Cut flower stems regularly to encourage more blooms and prevent sprawling.
Choose a pot at least 30cm wide with drainage holes and fill it with gritty, free-draining compost such as a mix of John Innes No. 2 and coarse sand. Place the container in a sunny, sheltered spot and avoid waterlogging the roots.
Lavender prefers poor, low-nitrogen soils, so feeding is rarely necessary. In spring, you may apply a light handful of balanced slow-release fertiliser if growth seems weak, but avoid high-nitrogen feeds, which encourage soft, floppy growth.
Water well after planting, but once established, lavender is drought tolerant and only needs watering during extended dry spells. Overwatering can cause root rot. For container plants, water when the compost is dry to the touch.
POLLINATOR Plants singing magnet for pollinators, drawing in bees, hoverflies and other beneficial insects.
