Planting French lavender: where, when & how

French lavender stands out thanks to its flower shape and intense colour. We reveal what you need to consider when planting French lavender in your own garden.

French lavender (Lavandula stoechas) belongs to the labiatae family (Lamiaceae). It is related to the famous true lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) and spike lavender (Lavandula latifolia). Nevertheless, French lavender stands out thanks to its eye-catching, large bracts at the top of the flowerheads. Depending on the variety, these can appear in pure white, vibrant purple or brilliant violet. At the same time, they can also differ in colour from the actual flowers arranged in spikes and, depending on the variety, offer a real colour spectacle in the course of flowering. We show you how to successfully cultivate colourful lavender in your garden.

Even though French lavender is closely related to true lavender, there are differences in cultivation and care. Find out below what you should pay attention to when planting French lavender.

The right place for French lavender

Unlike many other species of lavender, French lavender prefers soil that is low in lime. It does best in a sandy subsoil that has good water drainage. For growing in pots, simply mix substrate for potted plants with sand (4 parts substrate, 1 part sand) and the lavender will feel right at home. French lavender prefers a location in full sun.

Propagating French lavender

French lavender can be easily propagated by sowing and also quickly propagates itself by seed when grown in a bed. For germination, the seeds of the Mediterranean shrub need plenty of heat and light. Therefore, they should not be sown in open ground before June, and the seeds should not be covered with a layer of substrate that protects against drying. In a warm house, of course, seeds can be sown earlier. It makes sense here to sow from mid-February in order to plant the plants outside as strong seedlings from mid-May after the last frosts. But be careful: plants grown indoors are susceptible to sunburn and should therefore initially find their outdoor abode in a rather shady spot.

Watering and fertilising

When grown in a bed, French lavender requires little or no watering except during prolonged dry spells. If it is cultivated in a pot, more regular watering is required. The key is to keep the substrate evenly moist, but not wet. The supply of nutrients is also very important for French lavender because it will quickly fail to produce beautiful flowers in the event of malnutrition. For herbs grown in beds, work a little plant-based slow-release fertiliser into the soil in the spring before budding. Our Plantura All Purpose Plant Food is ideal for providing long-term support.

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Pruning French lavender

French lavender tends to become woody in the lower part of the plant. Therefore, selective pruning should be done regularly. In addition, the resulting young shoots can enjoy a more abundant flowering.

It is best to cut off half to two-thirds of the shoot length in early spring, at the beginning of budding (around the beginning of March). However, do not cut into the woody part because French lavender cannot sprout there. If sparse or no flowering occurs on the French lavender in the summer, pruning can still be done to stimulate flower formation.

Overwintering French lavender

By nature, French lavender is relatively poorly adapted to frosty temperatures. It can survive temperatures down to -5 °C without frost damage. Therefore, in winter it is advisable to place it in a bright place in the house. As long as temperatures do not dip too much during the day in early spring and the sun gets stronger, it can be put back outside early on. Nevertheless, it should be protected, especially from frosty temperatures at night.

See our special article for more information on French lavender care, proper watering, fertilising, pruning and overwintering.

Harvesting French lavender

The flowerheads of French lavender are the main point of interest here. These are best harvested when about half of the small spike-shaped flowers are open. The leaf tips, which are used to enhance meat and fish dishes, can be harvested at any time as needed.

Storing and drying

French lavender can be easily air-dried. To do this, simply hang the cut shoots upside down. After about two weeks, drying will be complete in a dry, well-ventilated room. However, some of the intense flavours are lost through this process. Another way to preserve the scent and flavour of French lavender is to pickle it in oil. Here, all parts of the plant must be covered with oil to prevent the formation of mould due to contact with the air.