How to Grow and Care for French Lavender

French lavender (Lavandula dentata) is famous for its iconic purple blooms and its ruffled, serrated leaves. Though this common name is sometimes also used for another species of lavender—Lavandula stoechas—the name is not commonly used in the U.S. for Lavandula dentata, the species described in this growing guide.

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.

French Lavender Care

Here are the main care requirements for growing French lavender.

• Plant French lavender in the spring to allow time for it to establish itself before the heat of summer.
• Plant in fast-draining, nutrient-poor, alkaline soil.
  
• French lavender thrives in sunny, hot, dry conditions.
• It is extremely drought-tolerant.
  

Light

Since French lavender needs a lot of sunshine to thrive, it's important 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 also a great option for topping the soil around French lavender since it 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. Although new plants appreciate more water when first planted, 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 of 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.Though it is normally planted in the spring, French lavender can be planted in the fall in areas without harsh winter temperatures.

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.

Types of Lavender

• 'Ballerina': This type of French lavender has purple flowers, which are initially white but turn from pink to purple over time.
• 'Alba': Pure white in color, alba lavender has a very limited frost tolerance.
• 'Papillion': This type of French lavender features classic purple flowers and is known for its winter hardiness.
• 'Kew Red': Different from its purple counterparts, kew red lavender features a reddish-purple flower head and light pink petals that appear from July to September.
  

Pruning

In regions with mild winters, it's best to 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 shears, 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:

1. It's recommended to wait until new growth appears in the spring, so you can take cuttings right after the plant has bloomed.
2. Using clean snips, cut a stem where the new growth meets the old growth.
3. If there happens to be any flowers, trim them off. Then remove all the leaves on the lower half of the stem cutting.
4. Gently press the cut end into a pot filled with well-draining potting soil or horticultural vermiculite, covering the stem up to the point just below where the leaves begin. You can also skip the rooting hormone.
5. Keep the soil moist until the plant is established and has developed a root system.
6. Alternatively, you can place your cuttings in a glass of water until roots develop. Be sure the water does not touch the leaves. When roots develop, place the cutting into a pot filled with well-draining potting soil.

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.

1. Fill small pots with potting soil, sprinkle a few seeds on top, and then lightly cover the seeds with soil.
2. Overwinter the pots in a cool place such as in a cool greenhouse. Alternatively, you can start the seeds indoors by placing the pots in a refrigerator for a few weeks.Germination should occur in about one month.
3. Keep the soil lightly moist, but do not cover the seeds with plastic because doing so retains too much moisture.
4. If pots are in the refrigerator, remove them and allow them to come to room temperature. If there is a low germination rate, return the trays to the refrigerator for another two weeks and repeat the process.
5. When seedlings are large enough to handle, transfer them to their own pots or plant in the garden in the spring.

Potting and Repotting French Lavender

French lavender does well when it's grown in pots, especially terracotta pots since the porous material wicks away moisture and keeps the soil on the drier side.However, if you do decide to grow the plant in a pot and live in a cold winter area, it's vital to move it indoors to protect the plant against harsh conditions and dropping temperatures.

You will need to repot your French lavender yearly to accommodate new growth. The plant may top out with a pot size of 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 enough bright light. Remember to 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 and clear away any dead, organic material that will hold moisture.

Common Pests & Plant Diseases

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.

How to Get French Lavender to Bloom

French lavender will normally bloom in the early spring, but there are some regions where bloom time lasts longer.

Bloom Months

French lavender commonly blooms from May through September.

How Long Does French Lavender Bloom?

In warm climates, French lavender can bloom year-round. The purple plant commonly shows off its flowers from spring through fall in areas that are a little cooler and experience frost.

What Do French Lavender Flowers Look and Smell Like?

French lavender flowers are purple in color and emit a sweet yet woodsy smell.

How to Encourage More Blooms

Occasional pruning will help keep this lavender clean and blooming. Deadhead spent flowers to encourage more flowering.

Caring for French Lavender After it Blooms

Once French lavender has bloomed, its flowers are commonly used in essential oils or dried to scent clothing and spaces in the home. It is important to prune French lavender after blooming to increase the chances of the best blooms the following year. Take great care not to cut back the plant down to the wood base, as it will not return.

Deadheading French Lavender Flowers

It is very important to dead-head French lavender flowers throughout the summer as they flower continuously from May to September. When pruning, always make sure there is enough green to the plant so new blooms can regenerate. With the spent flowers, you can make a fresh bouquet or allow the flowers to air dry and create fragrant satchet bags to store in your dresser to scent your clothes.

Common Problems With French Lavender

French lavender is very easy to care for and thrives with neglect, however, it still needs ideal sun and soil conditions to flourish.

Drooping Flowers

While it does not require much water at all, growers can overwater French lavender upon first planting, which can lead to dropping foliage. If left unchecked, this can lead to root rot.

Woody Appearance

When not pruned regularly, French lavender can become woody and rigid. Excessive wood growth can affect airflow to the plant and cause it to grow disproportionately.

Unruly Growth

Failure to prune French lavender regularly can also lead to spindly growth, which can make the blooms more difficult to control.

Browning Tips/Yellowing Leaves

If you notice your plant has browning tips or yellow leaves, it could be a sign of excessive moisture and root rot. The quickest way to fix this is to improve the drainage.

From: thespruce