What soil does English lavender grow in?

It tolerates these soils: average garden soil, sandy, calcareous.

Is English lavender hardy?

Hardy down to -29 °C (USDA zone 4, RHS H7). It gets through winter in every part of the country.

How far apart should English lavender be planted?

Planted on its own, it needs 40 cm between plants. For a hedge, allow 3 plants per metre.

When does English lavender flower?

Flowering: June–August, purple, blue, pink, white.

How much water does English lavender need?

Water need: low. Drought tolerance: high.

How much does English lavender cost?

It sells for roughly €4 to €6 in local shops, depending on size.

English lavender

Lavandula angustifolia

English lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) is a perennial. Light: full sun. Hardy down to -29 °C. Drought tolerance: high. Toxic to dogs and cats. Sold in local shops from about €4.

Illustration of English lavender — An illustration of the typical shape of the mature plant, not a photo.

What it's good for, and what it isn't

An evergreen, grey-leaved, scented subshrub covered for weeks in early summer with purple, blue, pink or white flower spikes that bees and butterflies love. It belongs in full sun and poor, limy, sharply drained soil, as a low hedge, a path edging or in a pot; in heavy, wet ground it dies within a few years. Cultivars differ mainly in size and colour: 'Hidcote', 'Hidcote Blue', 'Munstead', 'Essence Purple' and 'Dwarf Blue' are low, dense and darker flowered and make the best hedges, 'Rosea' is pink and 'Alba' white. Trim it every year after flowering down to the leafy part, but never cut into the old bare wood, because it does not reshoot from there. Lavandin (Lavandula × intermedia, for example 'Phenomenal' or 'Grosso'), often sold simply as lavender, is a separate, much larger and later flowering plant.

Watch out for

The usual failure is root rot: in winter wet, on heavy clay or when overwatered the plants die out in patches. In hard frost without snow cover, especially in wet soil, it can be cut back or killed. Left unpruned it becomes bare and splits open, and it cannot be renewed from old wood, so expect to replace plants after about ten years. Leaf spot and spittlebugs occur but rarely do serious harm.

Key facts

Light: Full sun
Water need: Low
Care: Medium
Size after 10 years: 60 cm × 80 cm
Hardiness: down to -29 °C
Foliage: Evergreen
Flowering: J F M A M J J A S O N D June–August, purple, blue, pink, white

Group	Perennial
Light	Full sun
Size after 10 years	60 cm × 80 cm
Ultimate size	30–90 cm × 0.6–1.2 m
Hardiness	down to -29 °C (USDA 4, RHS H7)
Soil	Average garden soil, Sandy, Calcareous
Foliage	Evergreen
Flowering	June–August, purple, blue, pink, white
Water need	Low
Drought tolerance	High
Maintenance	Medium
Root aggressiveness	Low
Suckering	no
Spreading	Low
Distance from buildings	no data
Distance from paving	no data
Litter	not typical
Planting distance	40 cm
For dogs	Toxic
For cats	Toxic
For children	Mildly toxic (uncertain)
Typical price	from about €4

Toxicity data is for information only. If your pet or child has eaten a plant, contact a vet or a doctor.

Sizes and prices available

The same plant is sold as a small pot and as a specimen several metres tall, and the price follows. Prices are rounded and for guidance only.

Size	Typical price
10-20 cm	approx. €4
size not stated	approx. €4.90 – €6

Frequently asked questions

Data updated: October 8, 2026 · How our data is made

Appears in these lists

Perennials for full sun Perennials that flower all summer Drought-tolerant plants Drought-tolerant perennials Drought-tolerant plants for sandy soil Hedge plants Evergreen hedge plants Evergreen plants Perennials for pollinators Plants for containers Plants for a Mediterranean garden Fragrant plants Fragrant perennials

Compare with similar plants

English lavender vs English lavender 'Hidcote' English lavender vs Lavandin

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