Is Lavender Easy to Grow? Thankfully, Yes!

Lavender is easy to grow, making it a favorite among gardeners of all levels of experience. In addition, it is as hard as nails, so it is very difficult to kill off your lavender. However, there are certain conditions that need to be met before you can claim ease of growing lavender.

Let's delve into the factors that contribute to lavender's reputation as an easy-to-grow plant, including its resilience, propagation methods, suitability for container gardening, and overall low-maintenance requirements.

Its Resilience and Adaptability Make Lavender Easy to Grow

easy to grow lavender in a rock garden with some yellow daisies

Is lavender easy to grow? I'ts a very useful little herb that is happy to grow under a wide range of growing conditions. Lavender is native to the Mediterranean region, where it thrives in hot, dry climates with well-drained soil and full sun. However, it can also tolerate a variety of soil types and climates, making it suitable for gardens in different geographic regions.

You only have to think of England, where the winters are harsh, the summers are short, and they have a lot of rainfall throughout the year. However, lavender appears in many English gardens because it is so easy to grow. It is one of those plant-it-and-forget-about-it types of plants and it will still give you flowers each year, despite the neglect.

I have high winter rains, even snow, my soil is clay and my summers are hot and dry with little rainfall and yet, my lavender grows beautifully, year after year.

The key to easy lavender growing is planting the right variety for your climate zone. This is rule number one.

If you have growing conditions similar to those of England, then try and grow any of the English varieties - and there are a lot of them to choose from. If you are a beginner lavender grower, this is my advice. English lavender (lavandula angustifolia) is adaptable to a number of growing conditions and is quite hardy.

Is Lavender Easy to Grow from Seed?

Dried lavender seed heads in a man's cupped hands

Growing lavender from seed can be a rewarding but a somewhat challenging endeavor. You have to have a bit of patience as your seedlings won't appear much before 2-4 weeks.

Lavender seeds require specific conditions to germinate, including warmth, light, and well-drained soil. While some gardeners may find success starting lavender seeds indoors under controlled conditions, others may opt to purchase seedlings or young plants from nurseries for a more reliable outcome.

Starting with seedlings or young plants can provide a head start and increase the likelihood of success for novice gardeners. I'm one of those gardeners who plant the seeds one week and dig them up the next to see if they have germinated. For me, easy lavender growing means buying seedlings.

The other problem with growing lavender from seed is that if you have harvested seed from plants that have been growing in a friend's garden, rather buying them from a commercial supplier, the plant varieties that grow may not resemble the parent plant at all. It could be a happy mistake with what grows, or you could be bitterly disappointed.

Is Lavender Easy to Grow in Pots?

lavender growing in several pots and a window box

Growing lavender in pots is easy enough to do, but you do have to choose the right variety of lavender, that is, a variety that is appropriate for the size of the pot or container. There are a number of dwarf or smaller varieties that are perfect for container growing, and you won't be scratching your head further down the line when you see your lavender bursting out of its pot like the Day of the Triffids and you are wondering, just how big will my lavender get?

The other thing, other than getting the variety right is to make sure that you prune your plant regularly to keep it small and to hold its shape.

And, the other crucial aspect is watering. Plants in terracotta plants get very hot in the sun, and unless you water them on a regular basis, your lavender will end up baking in those pots.

*A Quick Tip* If you are concerned about over-watering your pot plants place them on some carpet underfelt, or something similar, and keep that wet. Your plants will take up what they need and you won't fall foul of either under-watering or over-watering.

Lavender is Easy to Grow and Maintain

Perhaps the most appealing aspect of growing lavender is its low-maintenance nature. Once established, lavender requires minimal care and attention, making it an ideal choice for busy gardeners or those with limited gardening experience.

Lavender prefers dry, sandy soil and thrives in full sun, requiring little to no supplemental irrigation once established.

Pruning lavender after flowering helps maintain its compact shape and encourages new growth, but otherwise, it is largely self-sufficient.

Is lavender easy to grow? A resounding yes! Not only is it easy to grow, it will grow in your garden for at least 10 years, 15 if you are lucky. And there are so many things you can make using lavender. If you are unsure of what to do with lavender once you grow it, we've got you covered.

Problems with Growing your Lavender

On the off chance that you have an issue with growing your lavender and you find that it is struggling and perhaps even dying, and you are wondering when will the lavender come back, see our page for further details on how to coax it back to life again.

Also see How to Grow Lavender for a more general overview and our detailed discussion on soil pH and how to test your soil.