English Lavender / True Lavender
Lavandula angustifolia
description
English Lavender is a fragrant Mediterranean shrub with narrow silver leaves and purple flowers.
benefits
- Edible
- Suitable for containers
How to care for English Lavender
sunlight
English lavender comes from open, sunny Mediterranean slopes. Give it the brightest spot you have, ideally outdoors or in a south-facing window.
Full sun
Aim for at least 6 hours of direct sun daily. More sun encourages compact growth, fragrant foliage, and better flowering. Indoors, keep it close to unobstructed glass rather than set back in the room.
watering
Let English lavender dry well between drinks. Water deeply, then let excess drain away - constantly damp roots are its quickest route to decline.
Spring and summer
For an established potted plant in full sun, water about every 5-10 days. Check first: the top 2-3 inches of soil should be dry and the pot should feel noticeably lighter. Water slowly until it runs from the drainage hole, then empty the saucer.
Autumn and winter
In cooler, lower-light conditions, water roughly every 2-4 weeks, only after the root ball has dried substantially. A warm, bright spot, small terracotta pot, or fast-draining mix dries sooner; a large pot, low light, or cool room dries much more slowly.
humidity
Preferred humidity
Native to dry, breezy Mediterranean hillsides, English lavender is happiest in average to dry household air. It tolerates roughly 25-55% humidity, but persistent humidity above 60% can encourage fungal problems, especially in low light or still air.
Very dry heated air below about 25% may cause crisp leaf edges or slowed growth, particularly if the compost is also drying too quickly. Check the soil first, as underwatering causes similar symptoms. Move it away from hot vents; a small humidifier nearby is enough if the air stays extremely dry.
temperature
Best during active growth
Winter hardiness, established plants
English lavender comes from sunny Mediterranean slopes, so it enjoys warm days and cooler, airy nights. Established plants can handle winter cold when growing in sharply drained soil, but wet roots and container-grown plants are less hardy. Cultivars vary, so give potted plants extra protection during prolonged freezes.
nutrition
March - August
Feed container-grown lavender about every 4-6 weeks while it is actively growing, using a balanced or bloom-supporting liquid fertilizer at half strength. Stop feeding in autumn and winter. Garden plants in reasonably fertile soil usually need little or no fertilizer.
Nitrogen
A little nitrogen supports fresh silvery foliage, but too much encourages soft, leafy growth with fewer flowers. Choose a gentle feed rather than a high-nitrogen lawn or leafy-plant fertilizer.
Potassium
Potassium supports flowering and sturdy growth. A balanced fertilizer supplies enough when lavender is grown in a pot.
soil
Gritty, fast-draining soil
Lavender comes from dry Mediterranean slopes, so its roots need air around them and should never sit wet. Use a light potting mix amended with plenty of horticultural grit, coarse sand, or perlite, rather than a dense, moisture-holding compost.
pH 6,5 - 8,0
This is neutral to slightly alkaline soil. Choose a mineral-rich, low-peat mix, and if your mix is very acidic, blend in a small amount of garden lime according to the label.