Although it is adorned with its famous purple blooms, French lavender is not as fragrant as English lavender (Lavandula angustifolia). In warm, frost-free climates, French lavender blooms year-round. In areas that receive frost, French lavender blooms from spring to fall. Though beautiful, French lavender is not often used for culinary purposes because of its poor flavor. What it lacks in taste it makes up for with its uniquely serrated, ruffled appearance. This plant is not often bothered by pests or diseases. Lavender is actually a natural repellent for insects, such as aphids. The only disease to watch out for is rot, which is caused by too much water. Plant French lavender in the spring to allow time for it to establish itself before the heat of summer. French lavender can be planted in the fall in areas without harsh winter temperatures.
Light
French lavender needs a lot of sunshine to thrive, so be sure to plant it in a very sunny location. While other plants might droop or wilt with intense direct sunlight, you should choose the sunniest, hottest place in your garden for French lavender.
Soil
Dry, well-draining, alkaline soil is important for the health of French lavender. This plant prefers poor soil conditions; it does not grow well in nutrient-rich, fertile soils. Gravel mulch is a great option for topping the soil around French lavender. The gravel helps drain away excess water and moisture. Heavy or clay soils should be amended with small-sized bark mulch, pea gravel, or sand to improve drainage.
Water
French lavender is extremely drought-tolerant and prefers to grow in dry conditions. Because of this, you will most likely not need to water French lavender unless in cases of extreme heat and drought. New plants appreciate more water when first planted, but they do not require consistent water after becoming established. Watering every few weeks will be fine until blooms appear. After that, switch to weekly or twice weekly watering until you harvest the blooms.
Temperature and Humidity
French lavender cannot handle frost, snow, or freezing temperatures. High humidity is another enemy to the French lavender plant. These plants like dry, warm areas. Think of the sunny, hot climates of the Mediterranean where this plant is native and try to mimic these conditions.
Fertilizer
Because French lavender thrives in fast-draining, poor soil, there is no need to fertilize. French lavender thrives with very few nutrients, while too many nutrients can harm this plant, often causing leggy, yellowed foliage and few flowers.
Pruning
In regions with mild winters, prune French lavender in the fall. In other regions, prune at the end of winter into early spring after the last frost has passed. Pruning lavender will help the plant maintain a pleasing and well-defined shape. Using sharp snips, round out the plant to the desired shape. Be sure to avoid any old, woody growth, and only prune the young, soft growth. Old, woody growth will not grow new shoots.
Propagating French Lavender
French lavender is easily propagated from cuttings:
How to Grow French Lavender From Seed
Growing French lavender from seed requires patience and specific conditions. Seeds germinate best when collected and started in the fall.
Potting and Repotting French Lavender
French lavender does very well when grown in pots. Pot-grown plants are necessary in cold winter areas because you can move the pots indoors to protect the plants. Terracotta pots are perfect for growing lavender because the porous material wicks away moisture and keeps the soil on the drier side. French lavender will need to be repotted yearly to accommodate new growth. It will top out with a pot size about 12 inches in diameter. Because potted plants do not have access to nutrient deposits in the ground, potted lavender might need to be fertilized with a light fertilizer during the growing season. If you choose to do so, add sparingly.
Overwintering
To overwinter potted plants in areas that are too cold for French lavender, bring the pot indoors before the first frost. Keep the pot in a cool area with bright light. Water sparingly throughout the winter, only providing enough water to keep the plant alive. For plants kept outdoors in areas with mild winters, no watering is required. Simply prune before winter, if you wish, and clear away any dead, organic material that will hold moisture.
