There are almost forty different kinds of lavender in the genus Lavandula, and they are all very easy to care for. Lavender is one of the easiest and most forgiving herbs to grow once it’s established. It does well in full sun, poor soil, and being ignored.
The dry, mild, and rocky slopes of the Mediterranean are where lavender comes from, and it still grows best in those conditions. Lavender, like its Mediterranean relatives rosemary, sage, and thyme, turns into a woody overwintering perennial that can live for at least 5 years and up to 20 years, depending on the type and how often it is pruned.
Lavender plants need little to no water, full sun, and soil that drains well to give you fresh lavender for years to come.
Known for its sweet fragrance and delicate purple blooms, lavender is a popular herbaceous perennial that thrives in many home gardens. While lavender is relatively easy to grow it does take patience for it to reach full maturity. There are several distinct stages of growth that lavender goes through before becoming a fully established plant.
In this article, we’ll take an in-depth look at the complete life cycle and growth timeline of lavender. Whether you’re planting from seed cuttings or transplants, you’ll learn what to expect at each phase of development.
Lavender Growth Stages
Lavender goes through the following key growth phases on its journey from seed to maturity:
1. Germination
- Lavender seeds take 14-30 days to germinate
- Germination rate improves with cold stratification
- Looks like tiny seedlings with first true leaves
2. Seedling
- Seedlings reach transplant size (3-5 inches) in 2-3 months
- Requires warm temperature, full sun, loose and fast-draining soil
- Susceptible to transplant shock, pests, and diseases
3. Vegetative Growth
- Plant focuses energy on root development and leaf growth
- Grows steadily in height and width over 1-2 years
- May flower minimally in first year
4. Establishment
- Extensive root system expands into surrounding soil
- Growth rate increases as plant adapts to environment
- Flowers more freely in second year
5. Maturity
- Reaches full size by years 3-5
- Blooms profusely on long stems
- Attains maximum oil production in flowers
- Less impacted by seasonal stresses
Now let’s explore what lavender looks like during each stage of growth and the key care it needs.
From Seed to Seedling
Growing lavender from seed can be rewarding but requires diligence and patience compared to other propagation methods. Here’s an overview of seed germination and the seedling stage:
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Germination – Lavender seeds are slow and tricky to germinate. The seed coat is hard and needs scarification or cold stratification to soften and allow water intake. With ideal conditions, seeds may sprout in 14-30 days. Look for the first round leaves (cotyledons) to emerge.
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Seedling Growth – After germination, tiny lavender seedlings form their first true leaves and grow larger over 2-3 months when given warm temperature, full sun exposure, and fast-draining soil. Expect slow growth at first.
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Transplanting – Once lavender reaches 3-5 inches tall, transplant into containers or the garden. Take care to avoid transplant shock. Harden off seedlings and water in well after transplant.
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Susceptibility – Lavender seedlings need diligent care as they are prone to damping off fungi, root rot, and pests like spider mites. Ensure good air circulation.
Vegetative Stage
The vegetative stage starts when you transplant young lavender plants into the garden. Here’s what to expect as the roots and foliage develop:
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Root Growth – The first year of growth focuses on establishing the lavender’s root system. Water moderately to nourish roots.
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Foliage Development – Leaves grow in size and mature to the typical lavender green color. Manage moisture and avoid saturating foliage.
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Minimal Flowers – Some flower spikes may emerge the first year but blooming is minimal. Pinch off flowers to direct energy to roots and leaf growth.
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Site Preparation – Lavender thrives in full sun and very well-drained, low fertility soil. Amend soil if needed before planting.
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Plant Size – Expect slow, steady growth in plant height and width over 1-2 years as the roots and foliage mature.
Establishment Phase
After the root system is well developed, lavender transitions into the establishment phase as described below:
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Flowering – More prolific flowering starts in year 2. Blooms range from white to shades of purple. Deadhead to prolong bloom.
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Oil Production – Essential oil is concentrated in the flowers. Oil production (and scent) increase as the plant reaches maturity.
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Growth Rate – As plants acclimate to their environment, the growth rate accelerates compared to the first year.
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Pruning – Prune lightly after flowering to shape plants. Avoid heavy pruning which can stunt growth.
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Site Adaptation – Lavender has adapted to the garden conditions and is less stressed by seasonal variations in weather or soil moisture.
Maturity & Longevity
Lavender is considered mature when it attains full size and experiences abundant blooming. Here’s what to expect once lavender is fully established:
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Size – Reaches full dimensions of height and width within 3-5 years. Size varies by cultivar.
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Prolific Flowers – Lots of flowers cover the lavender hedge in spring through summer. Deadheading prolongs the bloom period.
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Oil Content – The essential oil concentration in lavender flowers peaks at maturity.
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Care – Mature lavender is quite resilient to stresses. Requires minimal watering, fertilizing, and maintenance.
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Long-lived – With proper care, lavender can live 15+ years in the garden. Some varieties have greater longevity.
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Pruning – Prune annually in spring and fall to maintain vigor. Remove spent blooms and trim lightly.
Caring for Lavender at Each Growth Stage
Lavender care differs slightly at the various stages of growth. Here are some key tips tailored to the age of your plant:
Seedlings – Keep soil moist, shelter from harsh sun/wind, allow good airflow, watch for disease
Young transplants – Water 1-2 times per week, prune any flowers, mulch roots, stake if needed
Establishing – Reduce watering frequency, prune lightly after bloom, fertilize sparingly if needed
Mature plants – Water only when soil is quite dry, prune annually, can withstand some drought
When lavender is young and developing, it benefits from a bit more attentive care. But once established, lavender can thrive with minimal maintenance. Adjust your care routine based on what your plants need at their current stage of growth.
Speeding Up Lavender Growth
Lavender can take several years to fully mature. But you can accelerate growth by giving plants the right care and conditions:
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Purchase the largest transplant size you can afford
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Select fast-growing varieties like ‘ Phenomenal’
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Plant in spring so roots develop before winter
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Improve drainage in heavy or compacted soil
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Water new transplants regularly until established
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Prune at planting and twice yearly after blooming
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Give plenty of sunlight and good airflow
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Avoid overwatering or saturating leaves
With the proper site preparation and care, you can maximize growth rate and shorten the time for lavender to reach maturity. But have patience – this lovely herb is well worth the wait!
Stages of Growth: Final Thoughts
Understanding the phases of growth helps you know what to expect as lavender progresses from seed to fully mature plant. Different care is needed at each stage to keep your lavender healthy and encourage vigorous growth. Once established, this beautiful perennial herb will reward you with years of fragrant purple blooms and decorative silvery foliage in the garden.
Growing Lavender in Pots
Lavender plants do well in pots and containers, even though they don’t get as big and wide as they do in the garden.
One benefit of gardening in pots is that the soil dries out faster than in the garden because there is no water table. Lavender is a semi-arid herb that naturally likes pots that drain well.
And just like when lavender is grown in a garden bed, it needs to be grown in full sun for the best growth, flowers, and scent.
How to Grow Lavender from Seed
- Full lighting
- 2-3 week cold-stratification
- Begin more starts than you’ll use
Lavender seeds are very small—almost microscopic—and are known for taking 14–28 days to germinate. They also naturally have a lower germination rate.
Like many other herbs and wildflowers, lavender seeds germinate much better if they are planted in the fall and left to rest over the winter, or if they are frozen for two to three weeks before they are planted again in the spring.
Cold-stratification mimics the seeds’ natural environment and conditions, which helps them germinate fully, as if the plant had reseeded itself naturally. It takes lavender seeds a while to sprout, so they need to be cold-stratified as early as 10 to 12 weeks before they can be moved outside.
After being stored in the cold for two to three weeks, lavender seeds should be planted indoors using loose, unaltered potting soil and a 6500k T5 LED grow light to make sure they get enough light to germinate.
Because seeds are so tiny and hard to handle, try to plant three to four seeds in each cell or start. But don’t worry too much—lavender naturally has a low germination rate, so any extra seeds will help. Always begin more lavender starts than you’ll use to allow for poor germination.
Lightly press seeds into soil without covering to allow lavender full lighting to properly warm and dry out. Seedlings should reach about 4-5†tall when ready to transplant.
Lavender comes from the dry, rocky areas of the Mediterranean and still grows well in the same poor, shallow, and depleted soils that it is used to. Whether you are starting lavender seeds or repotting an existing plant, the soil needs to be loose, not amended, and able to drain well.
If moving lavender plants outside to a garden bed, add extra compost and sand to help the plants drain well, or plant the lavender starts on a mound three to four inches above the ground.
If you grow lavender in the humid south, you should add a little more compost and sand to make up for the extra rain. Plants grown in heavy, saturated soils are susceptible to mold and root rot. Lavandula prefers a soil pH of about 6. 5-7. 5 throughout its life cycle.
- Less is more
- Thrives from neglect
- Allow soil to dry between waterings
Allow soil to dry between waterings since lavender will always prefer drier, more arid soils. Water soil directly to avoid any moisture contact with vegetative growth.
As mentioned, lavender actually thrives from some neglect, including lack of water.
Lavender is susceptible to mold and rot if overwatered and not allowed to thoroughly drain between waterings.
5 Tips to Grow Perfect Lavender
FAQ
What is the growth cycle of lavender?
When should lavender start turning green?
How do you know when lavender is coming back?
What does lavender look like when growing?
How long does lavender take to grow?
Lavender is a slow growing perennial that may bloom in its first year but takes three or more years to fully mature. Their growth rate will largely depend on the variety, and most varieties will take roughly three years to become fully mature plants. Growing lavender from seed is the slowest, but the cheapest way to propagate this plant.
How does a lavender plant grow?
Now that your young lavender plants have more space, they can begin developing foliage. During this lavender growth stage, plants focus all of their energy on producing more leaves, so they can photosynthesize more efficiently, so they can produce more leaves, and continue the cycle. Lavender is a slow to moderate-growing perennial.
When do lavender plants start flowering?
During this lavender growth stage, plants focus on producing more leaves. At 2 to 3 years, your lavender plants should be established enough to begin flowering. Blooming periods vary depending on variety, but most lavenders flower from early to mid-summer. Flowers range in color from white to pink to purple, and can sometimes almost appear blue.
Why does lavender grow so fast?
Water is also a major factor in lavender’s growth rate. During its juvenile stage, it is more sensitive to water and temperature fluctuations. Greater availability of moisture (without making the soil soggy) ensures that your plant gets off to a rapid start. It can take quite a few years for plants to fully mature.