Lavender Planting Guide
How to handle lavender in May
This page is about lavender in general. For your zone's exact planting and harvest dates, pick your county below.
-
How to water lavender
Mulch heavily around lavender to hold soil moisture without watering more often.
-
Where to put lavender
South-facing beds are ideal for lavender. Shade from nearby trees or fences costs real production.
-
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 is a fragrant perennial herb with silvery foliage and purple flower spikes. It is prized for its essential oils, culinary uses, and ornamental beauty.
Lavandula angustifolia · Herb · Lamiaceae family · 90–200 days to maturity
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 | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 5a | — | — | May 2 | Aug 1 – Oct 17 |
| Zone 5b | — | — | Apr 25 | Jul 25 – Oct 10 |
| Zone 6a | — | — | Apr 17 | Jul 17 – Oct 30 |
| Zone 6b | — | — | Apr 10 | Jul 10 – Oct 23 |
| Zone 7a | — | — | Apr 1 | Jul 1 – Nov 11 |
| Zone 7b | — | — | Mar 25 | Jun 24 – Nov 4 |
| Zone 8a | — | — | Mar 15 | Jun 14 – Nov 15 |
| Zone 8b | — | — | Mar 4 | Jun 3 – Nov 4 |
| Zone 9a | — | — | Feb 17 | May 19 – Oct 20 |
| Zone 9b | — | — | Feb 1 | May 3 – Oct 4 |
Why are some columns showing "—"?
Start Indoors shows "—" because Lavender is typically direct sown outdoors rather than started indoors. It germinates quickly and doesn't transplant well.
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 – 8
Tolerates slightly alkaline soil. Add sulfur if pH is too high.
🗺️ Hardiness Zones
Zone 5a – 9b
📅 Days to Maturity
90–200 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 90–200 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
Plant in well-drained, sandy soil. Avoid heavy mulching around the crown. Prune after flowering but do not cut into old wood. Lavender resents wet winter conditions.
Saving Lavender Seeds
Recommended for Your Garden
Breathable fabric pots that promote healthy root growth and prevent overwatering.
Built-in reservoir keeps herbs and greens consistently watered with less effort.
Start seeds indoors with reusable cell trays and humidity domes.
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 200 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 8.