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The Daily Insight

What is the best lavender to grow in pots

Author

John Parsons

Updated on April 19, 2026

Lavandula angustifolia ‘Lavenite Petite’ (Lavender) Compact and dense, extremely fragrant with intense violet flowers, Lavandula angustifolia ‘Lavenite Petite’ is a top choice for containers thanks to its short stems and tight foliage. Good for drying.

What's the best lavender to grow in pots?

Lavandula angustifolia ‘Lavenite Petite’ (Lavender) Compact and dense, extremely fragrant with intense violet flowers, Lavandula angustifolia ‘Lavenite Petite’ is a top choice for containers thanks to its short stems and tight foliage. Good for drying.

What is the easiest lavender to grow?

English lavenders are the easiest lavenders to grow, with varieties such as ‘Munstead’ and ‘Hidcote’ regarded as the easiest and most versatile lavender varieties as they require minimal maintenance and can survive in both hot and cold climates.

Does lavender grow well in pots?

Lavender is a perennial herb in many areas – that is, perennial if it gets really good drainage. Growing in a pot is an ideal way to provide good drainage. However, if the potting mix is extremely fertile, the plant may grow leaves and stems rather than flowering.

What is the strongest smelling lavender plant?

The most fragrant Lavender plants are the Lavandin (Lavandula x intermedia). Several cultivars of English Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) are also prized for their delightful scent. Lavandula x intermedia, also called Lavandin, is a hybrid cross between Lavandula angustifolia and Lavandula latifolia.

What do you do with potted lavender in the winter?

Whenever the soil gets dry over winter and isn’t frozen, add a little water to the lavender pot — just enough to dampen it. A third option is taking the lavender inside and keeping it alive next to a sunny window as you would a houseplant. Again, don’t overwater. Just enough to keep the roots alive.

Can lavender survive winter in pots?

English lavenders are cold hardy and can survive winter in pots up to USDA zone 4 with the right care and preparation. French and Spanish lavender pots will need protection from Winter cold and should be brought indoors in the Fall before the first frost of Winter.

What is the difference between English lavender and Spanish lavender?

French Lavender It’s sometimes confused with Spanish lavender or Lavandula stoechas. Spanish lavender has showier flower spikes than French lavender and their leaves are not scalloped but straight like English lavender. Sometimes you will see it referred to as Rabbit Ears due to the shape of the flower petals.

What is the prettiest lavender?

The highly fragrant French lavender (Lavandula stoechas, 1-3′) has some of the showiest flowers of all the lavenders. The Mediterranean native was grown by the Romans for its exceptional scent, and its ability to thrive in hot and dry conditions. It is a bit hardier, surviving to USDA Hardiness Zones 7-10.

What is the longest flowering lavender?

A: Two of the longest blooming kinds of lavender are Lavandula angustifolia ‘Irene Doyle’ and the hybrid L. ‘Goodwin Creek Grey. ‘ The best way to have lavender blooming all summer is to plant several different kinds that bloom sequentially.

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Should I cover lavender in the winter?

If you live where subfreezing winter temperatures are common, it’s helpful to cover your lavender plants with evergreen boughs once you’ve had your first frost and the ground is cold. … The covering also provides protection from cold winter winds that can dry out the plants and cause die-back of stems.

Does Spanish lavender smell good?

Native to the Mediterranean region and North Africa, Spanish Lavender seems to be a more suitable lavender choice for those who garden in hot humid climates. The antiseptic, piney fragrance of Spanish Lavender makes it an exceptionally fragrant landscape plant but not the first choice for use in cooking.

Are there dwarf lavender plants?

Dwarf lavenders, which stay under 2 feet tall (see list below), are compact alternatives to the common varieties that can grow to 4 feet or taller. They’re particularly suitable for small beds, border edgings, even containers. … Flowers can be pale purple, violet, pink, or white and many varieties are intensely aromatic.

Where is the best place to plant lavender?

When & Where to Plant Lavender Light: Lavender needs full sun and well-drained soil to grow best. In hot summer climates, afternoon shade may help them thrive. Soil: Lavender grows best in low to moderately-fertile soils, so don’t amend the soil with organic matter before planting.

Why is my potted lavender dying?

The most common reasons for a Lavender plant dying are improper watering, over-fertilization, acidic soil pH, diseases, pests, or inadequate sunlight. Careful inspection of the plant and growing conditions are essential to help identify and fix the issue.

How do you care for a potted lavender plant?

Lavender in containers is prone to overwatering. Your job is to keep soil consistently moist—don’t let it dry out too much and don’t keep it overly wet. Aim to let soil dry to a depth of 1 inch between waterings. Prune your lavender tree frequently, giving it a basic clipping to maintain the shape.

Will lavender come back every year?

Lavender is a Low-Maintenance Perennial And this beauty will come back to your garden every year, for about 3-5 years, so it’s a great investment. What is this? Before you make any plant purchases, however, I want to remind you to always choose plants that thrive in your plant hardiness zone.

Does potted lavender come back?

Lavender is a perennial sub shrub the does come back after Winter and lives for many years with the right care, growing in the appropriate climate and conditions. Spanish and French lavenders may not come back after Winter in cold climates as they not as cold hardy as English lavenders.

What are the 4 types of lavender?

English Lavender, Portuguese Lavender, French Lavender, Spanish Lavender, Lavandin.

How many times a year does lavender bloom?

English lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) is most common and hardy to Zone 5. There are hundreds of varieties available in many colors and sizes. It often blooms twice in one season.

Why does my lavender plant not smell?

The reason lavenders do not smell is usually to do with a lack of sunlight or soil that is too fertile. The less sun a lavender receives, the less flowers and oils will be produced which ultimately limits the lavenders smell. Lavenders need full sun and low to medium fertility soils to produce the best fragrance.

Which smells stronger French or English lavender?

English Lavenders have a stronger and sweeter aroma (especially the varieties Hidcote and Munstead). French lavender aroma tends to not be as strong as English lavenders, although it still exudes a nice, more subtle fragrance.

What type of lavender should I plant?

Try French lavender, Lavandula stoechas, instead). They cope well with drought conditions and may suffer in wet, heavy soils, particularly over winter. Half-hardy and tender lavenders, such as Lavandula stoechas, are best grown in pots so that they can be moved to a light, airy frost-free spot for winter.

Is Provence lavender English lavender?

Lavandin (Lavandula x Intermedia) is a popular hybrid lavender combining the cold-hardiness of the English lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) and the heat tolerance of the Portuguese lavender (Lavandula latifolia), therefore providing an answer to the gardeners’ worldwide quest for a Provencal atmosphere in their …

Is there a Lavender that blooms all summer?

Alternatively, you can simply choose a variety of Lavender which blooms almost continuously from spring to summer’s end. Fitting this description are Lavandula stoechas cultivars (Spanish Lavender), which produce several full flushes of flowers during the growing season, provided their flowers are cut after each flush.

What month is Lavender in season?

Lavender SpeciesWhen does it bloom?How long does it bloom for?English lavenderMay/June4 weeksFrench LavenderMay/JuneUp to 3 months until FallHybrid lavenderJune/JulyUp to 2 months until late Summer

What is the darkest purple Lavender?

Lavandula x intermedia ‘Impress Purple’ (Lavender) Probably the darkest purple flowered Lavender of all! A favorite for cut flowers and fresh bouquets.

What is the bluest lavender?

Hidcote Blue Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia Hidcote Blue) has deeply colored violet-blue flowers and a compact uniform habit. Hidcote Blue Lavender is an excellent choice for edging walks and paths, where the aromatic flowers and foliage can be easily enjoyed. Good variety for drying, as it holds its color well.

What is Spanish lavender called?

Lavandula stoechas, the Spanish lavender or topped lavender (U.S.) or French lavender (U.K.), is a species of flowering plant in the family Lamiaceae, occurring natively in several Mediterranean countries, including France, Spain, Portugal, Italy and Greece.

Is French Lavender easy to grow?

French lavender is a name given to two different but very similar plants of the same family. Both are easy-going and very productive, and care for both is virtually identical. French lavender will decorate your gardens and terraces magnificently for a long time!

Which is the best dwarf lavender?

Lavandula angustifolia ‘Little Lady’ is a particularly compact, dwarf lavender, ideal for low borders or pathways and helps to create a delicious sensory garden. This fragrant plant flowers from July to September, emitting a fabulous aroma for all to enjoy.