Lavender is one of those low-maintenance garden stars that thrives on neglect—as long as you give it plenty of sunshine and lean soil. If you nail those two things, you’ll be rewarded with those iconic, fragrant purple blooms all summer long. Here’s the lowdown on how to plant your lavender and make sure it’s soaking up enough rays.
Finding the Perfect Spot for Your Lavender
Once lavender is settled in, it’s pretty much a “set it and forget it” plant. However, picking the right real estate in your garden is crucial. If you pick the wrong location, your lavender will let you know. It might refuse to bloom, or worse, it could give up on you entirely. The biggest deal-breaker? Shade. Lavender is a sun-worshipper through and through, so keep it out of the shadows.
To keep your lavender happy, aim for:
- Full, direct sun
- Dry soil
- Sandy or gravelly soil (drainage is key!)
Keep an eye on your garden’s “neighborhood,” too. Sometimes things change—a nearby tree grows a massive canopy or a neighboring shrub gets a little too pushy and starts blocking the light. If your lavender is suddenly living in the dark, you’ll need to either prune back the surrounding plants or move the lavender to a sunnier zip code.
How to Give Potted Lavender Enough Light
If you’re growing lavender in pots or containers, the same rules apply: find a sunny spot. An east- or west-facing patio works great, as it ensures the plant catches plenty of light during sunrise or sunset.
Lavender also loves a spot that’s protected from harsh winds but still gets plenty of heat. It’s a Mediterranean plant at heart, so it loves soaking up that summer warmth. And remember: go easy on the watering!
If you’re worried about your soil being too heavy or damp, try adding a drainage layer (like pebbles or gravel) at the bottom of the hole or pot. Lavender hates “wet feet,” and a good drainage layer ensures water moves away from the roots quickly so they aren’t sitting in a puddle.
