Lavender - Lavandula angustifolia

Plant Overview

Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) is a timeless, richly fragrant herb known for its silvery-green foliage and slender spikes of purple flowers. Grown in a healthy 4-inch nursery pot, this classic Mediterranean perennial brings both beauty and calming aromatic appeal to sunny gardens, patios, and containers throughout the Vancouver region.

• Live Plant
• Healthy Nursery Grown
• 4-Inch Pot
• Easy Care
• Indoor Plant

Botanical Information

Lavender belongs to the Lamiaceae, or mint, family and is native to the Mediterranean region, where it grows on dry, sunny, rocky hillsides. Lavandula angustifolia, commonly called English Lavender despite its Mediterranean origins, is prized for having a sweeter, less camphorous fragrance than some other lavender species.

Why You'll Love This Plant

Lavender delivers one of the most recognizable and beloved fragrances in the plant world, released generously whenever the foliage is brushed or the flowers open. Beyond its scent, this hardy perennial rewards minimal care with reliable summer blooms and attracts pollinators to the garden.

Specifications

Plant Features

Narrow, silvery-green leaves grow along woody stems, topped in summer by slender flower spikes covered in small, tightly clustered purple blooms. The whole plant has a naturally tidy, mounding form that works well in both formal and cottage-style gardens.

Plant Care Guide

Light Requirements

Lavender needs full sun, ideally six or more hours of direct light daily, to produce its best fragrance, flowering, and compact growth habit. Insufficient light leads to leggy, sparse plants with fewer blooms.

Water Requirements

Allow soil to dry out between waterings; lavender is highly drought tolerant once established and is much more likely to suffer from overwatering than from missing a watering.

Humidity

This plant prefers drier air and can struggle with the combination of high humidity and poor air circulation, which increases the risk of fungal issues.

Temperature

Lavandula angustifolia is a cold-hardy perennial well suited to Canadian winters within its hardiness range, tolerating both summer heat and winter cold as long as drainage is good.

Soil

Use a very well-draining, slightly alkaline soil; sandy or gravelly mixes suit lavender particularly well, since it is highly sensitive to waterlogged roots.

Fertilizer

Lavender generally needs little to no fertilizer and can actually produce weaker, floppier growth if overfed; a light application of compost in spring is usually sufficient.

Repotting

Repot container-grown lavender every two to three years into a slightly larger pot with excellent drainage, ideally in spring.

Pruning

Prune lightly after flowering to maintain a compact, tidy shape, and avoid cutting back hard into old, woody growth, which lavender does not reliably regenerate from.

Propagation

Lavender propagates well from softwood cuttings taken in late spring or early summer, rooted in a well-draining, sandy mix.

Growth Rate

This is a moderately fast-growing perennial that fills out over its first two to three seasons before reaching a stable mature size.

Mature Size

Mature English Lavender typically reaches 45 to 60 centimetres in height and spread, forming a rounded, shrubby mound.

Indoor Care

Lavender is fundamentally an outdoor, full-sun plant and does not thrive as a long-term houseplant; if grown indoors temporarily, place it in the brightest possible window and expect leggier growth than an outdoor plant.

Outdoor Care

Lavender is an excellent choice for sunny gardens, borders, and containers throughout the Vancouver area, where its cold hardiness and drought tolerance make it a genuinely low-maintenance perennial once established.

Flowering Information

Slender spikes of small purple flowers appear in summer, typically peaking from June through August, and are a valuable nectar source for bees and other pollinators.

Edible Uses

Culinary-grade lavender, including Lavandula angustifolia, is used in cooking and baking to add a delicate floral note to shortbread, teas, and other dishes, though it should be used sparingly, as its flavour is potent.

Fragrance

Lavender is grown first and foremost for its calming, unmistakable fragrance, released by both the flowers and the foliage, and widely used in sachets, essential oils, and aromatherapy products.

Pet Safety

Lavender is considered mildly toxic to cats, dogs, and horses due to the presence of linalool and linalyl acetate, which can cause stomach upset if ingested in large quantities, though the risk from casual contact or brushing past the plant is low.

Common Problems

Root rot from poor drainage or overwatering is the most common issue. Leggy, sparse growth typically points to insufficient sun or overly rich soil.

Pest Management

Lavender is relatively pest-resistant and is even known to help deter some garden pests, though occasional issues with spittlebugs or aphids can occur and are usually minor.

Styling Ideas

Plant lavender along garden borders, in herb gardens, or in containers near seating areas where its fragrance can be enjoyed, and pair it with other Mediterranean plants like rosemary and olive for a cohesive, drought-tolerant planting scheme.

Perfect For

Sunny gardens, pollinator plantings, and anyone browsing our herbs and outdoor plants collections for a fragrant, low-maintenance perennial.

Seasonal Care

In spring, apply a light top-dressing of compost and prune away any winter-damaged growth. In summer, enjoy the blooms and prune lightly after flowering. In fall and winter, allow the plant to go dormant with minimal watering.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is lavender easy to grow in Vancouver? Yes, given full sun and well-draining soil, English Lavender is well suited to the local climate.

Is lavender safe for pets? It is considered mildly toxic to cats and dogs if ingested in quantity, so some caution is warranted.

How much sun does lavender need? Full sun, ideally six or more hours of direct light daily.

Can I grow lavender indoors? It is best suited to outdoor growing; indoor conditions rarely provide enough light for it to thrive long-term.

How often should I water lavender? Sparingly; allow soil to dry out between waterings once established.

Can I cook with this lavender? Yes, Lavandula angustifolia is considered culinary-grade and can be used sparingly in cooking and baking.

How do I propagate lavender? From softwood cuttings taken in late spring or early summer.

How big does lavender get? Typically 45 to 60 centimetres in height and spread at maturity.

Why is my lavender getting leggy? Insufficient sun or overly rich soil are the most common causes.

Does lavender need fertilizer? Very little; overfeeding can actually weaken its growth.

Why Buy From Us

Every Lavender plant we sell is nursery-grown and inspected before shipping so it arrives healthy and ready to establish in your garden. Our Vancouver-based team understands BC's growing conditions and is happy to help with planting advice.

Order Yours Today

Bring timeless fragrance and pollinator-friendly blooms into your garden with a Lavender plant, shipped fresh across Canada.