Spanish lavender is a charming herb that captivates gardeners with its vibrant blossoms and distinct aroma.

Its unique bloom structure helps add a touch of Mediterranean flair to any garden.

Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or a novice looking to enhance your green thumb, here is everything you need to know about growing this type lavender.

Spanish Lavender Size

Spanish lavender’s size tends to fluctuate depending on the specific cultivar of Lavendula stoechas.

In general, Spanish lavender can range from 18 to 36 inches in both height and width.

Spanish Lavender Bloom Time

Spanish lavender typically blooms in mid-to-late spring to early summer.

However, the exact bloom time can vary depending on factors such as climate and variety.

Spanish Lavender Zone

This type of lavender thrives best in USDA hardiness zones 8 through 11.

These zones are identifiable by their mild winters and warm temperatures, which closely resemble the Mediterranean climate that Spanish lavender is native to.

Spanish Lavender Vs. French Lavender

Despite both being varieties of lavender, both Spanish and French lavender have very distinct differences that separate these two varieties.

Appearance:

Spanish lavender features showy bracts that resemble rabbit ears at the top of its flower spikes.

As opposed to French lavender which has serrated leaves, giving it its signature textured look.

Growing Conditions:

Spanish lavender generally favors hot climate conditions and has a higher drought tolerance compared to French lavender.

Spanish Lavender Vs. English Lavender

Here are some of the key differences between Spanish and English lavender:

Appearance:

English lavender typically has longer, more slender spikes without the showy bracts that Spanish lavender is known for.

Growing Conditions:

Another difference between the two is their individual growing conditions.

Spanish lavender is more tolerant of heat and can withstand drier conditions compared to English lavender, which tends to prefer cooler temperatures and well-drained soil.

Scent:

Spanish lavender’s scent can be described as piney and more robust. Some have described it as a combination of lavender and rosemary.

On the contrary, the scent of English lavender is sweeter and is more often seen in cosmetics and aromatherapy.

Spanish Lavender Care

To successfully grow Spanish lavender, it is important to provide the right growing conditions to ensure its health and longevity.

Here are some key requirements to keep in mind:

Spanish Lavender Sun Requirements

Like many lavender varieties, it prefers full sunlight.

Aim for at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight daily for optimal growth and blooming.

Soil

Like many other varieties of lavender, well-draining soil is crucial for Spanish lavender.

It does not fare well in wet, waterlogged soil conditions, which can lead to root rot.

We recommend sandy or gravelly soils as these have the chunky materials that a well-draining soil needs.

Additionally, adding organic matter to your soil can improve soil structure.

Water

During the first few initial stages of growth, your Spanish lavender plant will benefit from regular watering.

When the plant has become established in its location, then it will require droughty water conditions in order to thrive.

We suggest waiting for the soil to dry up before re-watering your lavender.

Spanish Lavender Temperature Tolerance

As a native plant to the Mediterranean, the Spanish lavender has a high tolerance for warm temperatures.

If you live in a hot climate, you can easily grow this type of lavender without worrying about it being too hot.

In fact, this variety of lavender is hardy to USDA zones 8 to 11.

Fertilizer

It is not a requirement to fertilize Spanish lavender, as this plant is very tolerant of poorer soil conditions.

Generally, your lavender plant can get sufficient nutrients from the soil.

If you do want to fertilize it, then we suggest applying a balanced fertilizer in the spring.

Apply this fertilizer sparingly. Only 1 to 2 times during the season should be plenty.

How To Prune Spanish Lavender

Pruning Spanish lavender will help maintain its shape, encourage fuller growth, and promote continuous blooming.

Here are some tips to get you started:

The best time to prune your Spanish lavender is during the late summer to early fall after the flowers have faded.

Trim back the plant by about 1/3 to 1/2 its original size.

Avoid cutting into the woody branches that are at the bottom of the plant, as this can be counterproductive and inhibit the plant’s growth.

You can also sparingly prune it through the blooming season by removing the blooms as they begin to fade.

This will both preserve its beauty while also encouraging new flowers to blossom.

How To Prepare Spanish Lavender For Winter

While Spanish lavender is normally grown in hot environments, it is capable of surviving mild winters.

In these situations, overwintering your plants is necessary for their longevity.

Here are some tips to overwinter your lavender:

Overwintering should begin in the late fall after you have pruned it. See our section on pruning Spanish lavender for more details.

Apply a layer of organic mulch around the base of the plant.

Some good examples of mulch include wood bark, pine needles, or leaves.

Laying down mulch has multiple benefits for overwintering: soil temperature regulation and moisture retention to name a few.

Avoid overwatering your lavender during this time.

In the winter, it needs less water than any other time of the year.

By allowing the soil to dry out before rehydrating the soil, you can help lessen the risk of waterlogged soil.

How To Transplant Spanish Lavender

Transplanting Spanish lavender is a straightforward process with these simple tips:

The ideal time for transplanting lavender is in the early spring or fall when the weather is still mild.

This will give the plant enough time to establish itself in its new location before the extreme heat or cold settles in.
Select a site with well-draining soil and full sunlight.
Be sure that the soil is prepared with organic matter and has good drainage.

Water the Spanish lavender thoroughly a day or two before the transplant. This will help hydrate the plant and make it easier to remove from its initial location.
Dig a hole in the new location that is slightly larger than the root ball of the plant.

Make sure the hole is deep enough to accommodate the roots without causing physical damage.
Line up the base of the lavender plant with the edge of the hole.

Gently start to fill the soil around the plant and firmly press the soil around the base to secure the lavender in place.
Thoroughly water the lavender plant to help it become established in its new location.

You should keep the soil uniformly moist while the new plant is still trying to adjust to its new home.

When the plant has begun to establish itself.

A mature Spanish lavender should only be sparingly watered.

How To Grow Spanish Lavender In Pots

Growing Spanish lavender in a pot comes with certain conveniences that in-ground gardening does not have.

Here are some helpful things to keep in mind when growing lavender in containers:

When choosing a soil for your lavender, it is especially important to choose a soil that is specifically tailored for containers.

This soil will contain more well-draining materials to prevent compacted soil.

Compacted soil is especially dangerous when growing lavender due to the lack of air and water flow.

This heightens your lavender’s risk of getting root rot.

Keep a closer eye on the moisture levels in your container lavender.

Container plants tend to dry out faster than in-ground plants.

While Spanish lavender does enjoy droughty weather conditions, it is still possible for it to become dehydrated.

We suggest watching out for when the soil has dried up entirely and then rehydrating your lavender.

If the plant looks droopy or shriveled, that would be a good time to water your plant.

How To Harvest Spanish Lavender

The ideal time for Spanish lavender to be harvested is when the flowers are in full bloom, which typically occurs between late spring to early summer.

The morning is ideal for harvesting lavender because this is when the natural oils are at their peak.

If possible, try to pick your lavender on a dry day to reduce excess moisture on the plant.

Select a healthy segment of the lavender plant. The cut should be made just above a set of leaves but do not cut into any woody stems.

Make sure to leave enough foliage for regrowth to occur.

Spanish Lavender Uses

Spanish lavender is often used in the production of lavender essential oil due to its soothing properties.

The scent of lavender is famous in aromatherapy circles for its calming effects.

Description:

Grows up to 20 inches in height. Dark pink flowers with light pink bracts. Flowers early compared to other varieties.

Growing Conditions:

Very drought tolerant. Prefers full sun and well-draining soil.

Uses:

Ornamental, tubs, edges, and informal hedges.

Conclusion

In conclusion, growing Spanish lavender is a satisfying journey that yields flowers that are not only fragrant, but also beautiful.

By following these simple tips and guidelines, you can have a thriving Spanish lavender plant in your garden, enhancing the landscape with its vibrant colors and soothing scent.

Related posts:

Spanish Lavender – Everything You Need to Know

Spanish Lavender Size

Spanish Lavender Bloom Time

Spanish Lavender Zone

Spanish Lavender Vs. French Lavender

Spanish Lavender Vs. English Lavender