Is Lavender a Perennial Plant and How to Care for It

Lavender is a low-maintenance perennial plant that can thrive in various conditions. It's a great choice for gardeners of all levels.

In most regions, lavender is hardy in USDA zones 5-9, which means it can tolerate temperatures as low as -20°F and as high as 90°F. This adaptability makes it a great option for gardeners in different climates.

To care for your lavender, make sure it gets at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day. This will help it stay healthy and fragrant.

Lavender is typically known as a perennial plant, but it can also be grown as an annual.

As a perennial, lavender can survive for 10 years or more, with the root zone remaining intact and continuing to fuel the plant's growth. Depending on the climate, it may die back in the winter or remain evergreen.

In extremely cold northern areas, outdoor lavender is commonly grown as an annual because it cannot survive frigid -30°F temperatures. This means you have to choose fast-growing varieties that will flower in the first season.

Gardeners in climates like Montana, Wyoming, the Dakotas, the Midwest, and New England can experiment with cold hardy varieties like 'Phenomenal' or 'Munstead', but unexpectedly extreme winters could still kill them off.

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Growing lavender as a perennial requires choosing the right variety for your climate. Most lavenders can only tolerate mild winters, except for English lavender cultivars like 'Munstead' or 'Hidcote' that can handle down to -10°F (-12°C) in their dormant state.

To grow lavender, you'll need to prepare well-drained soil, as lavender prefers ultra well-drained, sandy or even gravelly soils to thrive. This is especially important during winter months when the ground can get waterlogged, which lavender hates.

Here are some key facts to keep in mind when growing lavender:

To care for lavender, water young plants well and once established, lavender is drought-tolerant and doesn't need frequent watering. Over-watering is a common cause of stress to lavender plants.

In cold northern climates, lavender may look like it dies in the winter, but it's actually just storing its energy in the root zone.

Lavender prefers to die back in the fall, which protects the plant from unnecessary damage by preserving the woody base. This is a natural process that helps the plant prepare for the chilly weather.

In fact, English lavender cultivars like 'Munstead' or 'Hidcote' can handle down to -10°F (-12°C) in their dormant state, making them a great choice for colder climates.

If you're unsure about your lavender's survival, you can use a simple test to determine whether or not it's still alive. Check if there is any silvery or green foliage remaining near the crown, and if there is any green, your lavender will likely grow back once the spring warms.

Here are some tips for determining if your lavender is still alive:

In zones 6-10, lavender will remain a semi-woody, perennial, evergreen shrub, keeping a mound of foliage atop a semi-woody crown throughout the year. This means it will regrow its foliage from the base mound in the spring and flower in the summer.

Only an unusually hard frost will kill tender varieties like French, Spanish, or Portuguese lavender, so be sure to choose a variety that's suitable for your climate.

Lavender plants range from 1 to 3 feet tall and wide, and don't require staking. They grow into a round, bushy shrub in warmer climates, and are a lower-growing perennial in colder climates.

To prune lavender, cut back the green new growth to an inch or so above the woody portion in the spring, and avoid cutting the woody bases of the stems. This will help to encourage new growth and maybe even another flush of flowers.

The first pruning is often done as part of your spring harvest, and you can use this initial pruning to help train your plant to grow in a more mounded shape.

In warmer climates, lavender usually remains evergreen, but in colder regions, it may drop its leaves, keep upright twigs through the winter, and regrow its foliage in the spring.

To plant lavender, choose a spot with full sun and well-drained soil, and space plants 1 to 3 feet apart depending on the variety. In hot summer climates, afternoon shade may help them thrive.

Here's a quick guide to planting times based on your zone:

In areas colder than Zone 6, it's best to plant in spring or early summer, while in areas warmer than zone 6, plant in early fall so the roots can get established during the cool, moist winter weather.

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Lavender varieties for the north are all cultivars of Lavendula augustifolia, the common or English lavender.

Munstead and Hidcote are the two hardiest cultivars, usually rated as USDA Zone 5 hardy, making them suitable for protected spots in most zone 4 gardens.

Hidcote grows a bit taller than Munstead, reaching 18 inches, and has grayish-green foliage and deep purple flowers.

Phenomenal lavender is a new variety that some growers rate as hardy to USDA Zone 4, making it worth considering for northern gardens.

Lavender prefers full sun, with at least 6 hours of direct sunlight a day, and really good drainage, which means it thrives in somewhat sandy or gravely spots.

Lavender is a relatively low-maintenance plant, but it does require some care to thrive.

To begin with, lavender needs full sun to grow best, so choose a spot that gets at least 6 hours of direct sunlight a day. In hot summer climates, afternoon shade may help them thrive.

Water your young lavender plants well, but once established, they are drought-tolerant and don't need frequent watering. Over-watering is a common cause of stress to lavender plants.

In terms of soil, lavender grows best in low to moderately-fertile soils, so don't amend the soil with organic matter before planting. It also prefers neutral to slightly alkaline soils, with a pH around 7.0.

Lavender plants range from 1 to 3 feet tall and wide, so be sure to leave enough space between them for adequate airflow to prevent fungus or powdery mildew.

To prune your lavender plants, cut off the flower stalks after they fade to spruce up the plant and stimulate a second flowering. Prune 2-year and older plants in spring, cutting the woody stems back by one-third to stimulate new growth.

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Here's a quick rundown of the key care tips for lavender plants:

By following these care tips, you should be able to keep your lavender plants healthy and thriving.

Lavender is a perennial herb that can be grown in a variety of settings, from rock gardens to borders and cutting gardens.

Lavender is native to Mediterranean climates and prefers full sun, with at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day.

In areas with cold winters, it's essential to choose the right variety of lavender, such as 'Munstead' or 'Hidcote', which are hardy to USDA Zone 5.

These cultivars are more likely to thrive in northern gardens, but may still require a protected spot in zone 4 gardens.

Phenomenal™ lavender is a new variety that's hardy to USDA Zone 4 and tolerates hot, humid summers.

Lavender prefers well-draining soil and can be grown in containers or in areas with sandy or gravely soil.

To care for lavender, plant it in early spring, giving it time to acclimate and establish a strong root system.

Water lavender regularly in the first year after planting, then reduce watering as it becomes established.

Growing lavender can be a bit tricky, but with the right care, it can thrive in your garden.

Lavender is a perennial plant, but it can die in the winter if you don't choose the right variety for your region.

To grow lavender that will come back year after year, you'll want to pick a variety that's adapted to your climate. For example, in colder climates, lavender grows as a lower-growing perennial.

Here are the basic planting and maintenance instructions for lavender:

In terms of specific varieties, 'Munstead' and 'Hidcote' are two hardy cultivars that are well-suited to northern gardens. They're usually rated as USDA Zone 5 hardy, but may need a protected spot in zone 4 gardens.

By following these care instructions, you can help your lavender plants thrive and enjoy their beautiful flowers and fragrance for years to come.