Lavender Planting Guide
June lavender essentials
Month-by-month lavender fundamentals. Your frost dates change the timing, so pick your county for a tailored plan.
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How to water lavender
Mulch heavily around lavender to hold soil moisture without watering more often.
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Where to put lavender
South-facing beds are ideal for lavender. Shade from nearby trees or fences costs real production.
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Check your local forecast before planting
Your zone determines the exact week to plant lavender. Pick your county below and we'll line everything up against your frost dates.
Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) is a fragrant Mediterranean sub-shrub prized for its silver-gray foliage and intensely aromatic purple flower spikes. A classic companion for roses and an unmatched pollinator magnet, lavender thrives in the exact conditions that challenge many plants: poor, rocky, alkaline soil with excellent drainage and full sun. English lavender is the most cold-hardy species, reliably perennial in Zones 5–9. Fresh or dried flowers are widely used in sachets, essential oils, culinary applications, and dried arrangements.
Lavandula angustifolia · Flower · Lamiaceae family · 90–120 days to maturity
Why it matters: If you're just starting a flower garden in your area, Lavender is a forgiving first pick. It tolerates imperfect soil, mild drought, and the occasional missed watering. The reward: weeks (sometimes months) of continuous color.
Get Your Personalized Lavender Planting Dates
Enter your ZIP code to see exact planting dates, soil compatibility, and growing tips specific to your county.
Where Can You Grow Lavender?
Lavender Growing Regions
Click any state to see the Lavender planting schedule for that location.
Planting Dates by Zone
| Zone | Start Indoors | Direct Sow | Transplant | Bloom |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 5a | Feb 14 | — | May 16 | Jul 25 – Sep 5 |
| Zone 5b | Feb 7 | — | May 9 | Jul 18 – Sep 5 |
| Zone 6a | Jan 30 | — | Apr 24 | Jul 3 – Aug 28 |
| Zone 6b | Jan 23 | — | Apr 17 | Jun 26 – Aug 21 |
| Zone 7a | Jan 21 | — | Apr 8 | Jun 17 – Aug 26 |
| Zone 7b | Jan 14 | — | Mar 25 | Jun 3 – Aug 26 |
| Zone 8a | Jan 4 | — | Mar 15 | May 24 – Aug 30 |
| Zone 8b | Dec 31 | — | Feb 25 | May 6 – Aug 12 |
| Zone 9a | Dec 16 | — | Jan 27 | Apr 7 – Jul 14 |
| Zone 9b | Nov 30 | — | Jan 4 | Mar 15 – Jun 7 |
Why are some columns showing "—"?
Direct Sow shows "—" because Lavender benefits from being started indoors first, then transplanted after the last frost.
How to Plant Lavender
Growing Conditions
☀️ Sun
Full Sun (6-8+ hours)
💧 Water
Low — drought tolerant
Drought tolerant — water only when soil is dry 2" deep.
🧪 Soil pH
6.5 – 7.5
Prefers neutral to slightly acidic soil — ideal for most garden beds.
🗺️ Hardiness Zones
Zone 5a – 9b
📅 Days to Maturity
90–120 days
Medium-season crop. Start early for best results in shorter seasons.
👪 Plant Family
Lamiaceae
Rotate with other families yearly to prevent soil-borne diseases. Don't plant in the same spot where Lamiaceae family crops grew last year.
How Much Lavender to Grow
Lavender takes 90–120 days to mature. In most zones you'll get one harvest per season, so plant enough to last.
Companion Planting for Lavender
✅ Good Companions
Check more combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →
Growing Tips for Lavender
The single most important requirement for lavender success is excellent drainage — it will rot in heavy clay or wet winter soils before cold alone kills it. Amend with coarse sand or fine gravel if needed; raised beds work well in Zones 5–6. Start from rooted cuttings or transplants rather than seed for named cultivars. Transplant after last frost when soil is reliably warm (55°F+). Avoid rich or overly moist soils. Prune lightly after each flush of bloom, but never cut into old wood below the green growth zone — it will not regenerate from leafless woody stems. In Zones 5–6, mulch lightly with gravel (not bark/organic material which traps moisture) around the crown for winter protection. Year 2+ plants develop into full, mature shrubs with the most prolific bloom.
Saving Lavender Seeds
Recommended for Your Garden
Start seeds indoors with reusable cell trays and humidity domes.
Test your soil pH, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium levels before planting.
Keep your garden organized with durable, weather-resistant plant labels.
Seed Saving & Storage Guide
Most saved seeds go bad before next season. This shows exactly when to pick, how to dry, and where to store seeds from 200 plants so yours don't.
- 200 plants, step-by-step: life cycle, pollination type, isolation
- Exact temperature + humidity ranges that keep seeds viable
- Bonus: searchable Google Sheets tracker + custom GPT assistant
Lavender by State
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to grow Lavender?
Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) takes 90 to 120 days from planting to harvest. Exact timing depends on your variety, growing conditions, and USDA zone.
What zones can Lavender grow in?
Lavender can be grown in USDA zones 5a through 9b. Use the planting calendar above to find the exact dates for your zone.
How much sun does Lavender need?
Growing Lavender requires Full Sun (6-8+ hours), Low — drought tolerant, and soil pH of 6.5 to 7.5.