When to plant Lavender in the UK

Lavandula angustifolia

Lavender
Lavender · Lavandula angustifolia

A hardy English lavender for a sunny, free-draining spot. It grows best in light soil. It hates sitting wet in winter. The first proper show comes after they settle.

60 cm · Full Sun · Low Water

Add to garden
Plant out May to June.
ActivityJanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecember
Plant outNoNoNoNoYesYesNoNoNoNoNoNo

UK averages · set your town for dates worked out from your local frost records · how dates are worked out

Growing guide

What to do through the growing season

Dates for your town

Set your town to see planting windows worked out from local frost history, not a generic UK calendar.

  1. 01

    Plant Out

    early May to mid-June UK average · set your town for your exact dates

    Plant young plants around early May to mid-June in a sunny, free-draining spot. Set them at the same depth they were in the pot. Space apart. On heavy ground, plant on a mound with grit. Do not plant in a frost pocket. Water in.

    • Skip planting if the soil is sodden.
    • Autumn pots only if the ground is sharp-draining, and never into sodden soil.
    • Cuttings are a separate route. Plant those out next spring.
    • Seed is a separate route.
    • A gravel or grit collar around the crown helps winter wet.
    • A hedge can sit at {{userPrefs('30','length')}}.

  2. 02

    Water Through Establishment

    early May to mid-September UK average · set your town for your exact dates Dates as each sowing reaches this stage

    Through the first summer, from early May to mid-September, water at the base in dry spells only. Then stop. Do not water in winter.

    • In a pot, stand it in a rain-shadow in winter. Pots stay wet in winter rain and that is how they rot.

  3. 03

    Deadhead Spent Stems

    mid-June to early August UK average · set your town for your exact dates

    Remove faded flower spikes from mid-June to early August. Cut back to a side shoot or just above fresh growth. Do not cut into old wood. Leave a few spikes at the end of the window for seed-eating birds.

    • Cut for drying as the spikes open.

  4. 04

    Prune After Flowering

    early August to late August UK average · set your town for your exact dates

    After flowering, from early August to late August, take off the spent stalks plus about of green. Never cut into old wood.

    • If frost has damaged the tips, clip those in spring. That is not a winter cut.

Suggested varieties

Popular varieties of Lavender to consider

Hidcote

Compact with deep purple flowers and a neat habit, good for borders and pots.

Munstead

A classic early-flowering English lavender with a low, rounded shape.

Arctic Snow

A white-flowered form that gives a softer look in mixed plantings.

Rosea

A pink-flowered lavender for a lighter colour scheme.