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lavender plant growing a pot

How to Grow and Care for French Lavender

Gaby Buller
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Cook Time 15 minutes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 French lavender plant or another suitable variety for your climate
  • 1 large Pot; 12–16 inches wide, 8–10 inches deep OR space in a raised bed
  • 1 bag Potting soil neutral to alkaline, pH 6.5–8
  • Garden lime only if your soil is too acidic
  • Coarse sand to improve drainage
  • Rocks or pebbles (for bottom of the pot) for bottom of the pot
  • 1 Watering can
  • Sunny location full sun, 6–8 hours daily

Instructions
 

Choose a Variety

  • Select a lavender type that suits your climate and purpose:
    – Lavandula intermedia ‘Provence’ for fragrance
    – Lavandula dentata (French lavender) for ornamental use
    – Lavandula angustifolia for culinary purposes

Prepare the Pot or Bed

  • Place 2 inches of rocks/pebbles at the bottom of the pot (for drainage).
  • Mix sand into your potting soil to create a light, well-drained blend.
  • Add lime if your soil pH is below 6.5.

Plant the Lavender

  • Dig a hole large enough for the root ball.
  • Remove the plant from its container, loosen the roots gently, and set it in the hole.
  • Fill with soil and press gently around the base.

Water and Sunlight

  • Water thoroughly after planting.
  • Continue watering twice weekly until established (about 2 weeks).
  • Once mature, water only every 2–3 weeks, increasing to once or twice weekly when buds appear.
  • Always water at the base; keep foliage dry.

Pruning and Care

  • Deadhead old blooms during the growing season to encourage more flowers.
  • After the last flush (usually late summer), prune back the plant by about one-third.
  • In cold climates (below 19°F), bring pots indoors or protect outdoor plants in winter.

Notes

  • Lavender thrives on less water, not more — soggy roots will kill it faster than drought.
  • Flowering season typically runs late May to mid-August, depending on climate.
  • Plants can live for years with proper pruning and winter protection.
  • Lavender is not only beautiful but also useful: try drying bunches for sachets, making lavender sugar, or enjoying the scent in your kitchen.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!