Have you ever wanted to grow a field of fragrant French lavender in your backyard? Or perhaps you want to use the herb to make your own essential oils and perfumes? Whatever your reasons for wanting to learn about French lavender, this article has you covered! We’ll give you tips from the pros on how big French lavender grows, the different varieties, ideal planting conditions, soil requirements, pruning tips, fertilizing advice, how to propagate it, and how to deal with common diseases and pests.
Read on to learn everything you need to know about French lavender!
Table of Contents
Short Answer
French lavender can grow to a height of approximately 1 to 2 feet.
It also has a spread of 1 to 2 feet and can be pruned to maintain its size.
Depending on the variety of French lavender, some may grow taller than 2 feet.
French lavender is a hardy plant and is usually drought-tolerant.
Different Varieties of French Lavender
French lavender can come in a variety of different sizes and shapes.
Most varieties of French lavender grow to between two and three feet in height, but some can reach up to four feet tall.
The most common variety of French lavender is the Lavandula stoechas, which is a small shrubby bush with bright purple flowers.
Other varieties of French lavender include the Lavandula latifolia, which is a taller, shrub-like plant with white flowers, and the Lavandula angustifolia, which is a compact, low-growing shrub with blue-violet flowers.
All of these varieties of French lavender prefer well-drained, sunny locations and can live for several years with proper care.
Ideal Planting Conditions for French Lavender
When it comes to growing French lavender, its important to ensure that youre providing ideal planting conditions.
French lavender thrives in sunny, well-drained locations.
Its important to make sure that the area youre planting in receives at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight a day, as this will help the plant to thrive and produce more flowers.
If youre planting in containers, make sure that they have drainage holes so that the soil doesnt become waterlogged.
Additionally, French lavender prefers soil that is slightly alkaline, as this helps it to grow and develop its roots.
Make sure to amend your soil with compost or other organic matter to help it retain nutrients and moisture.
While French lavender is fairly drought-tolerant, it does need a steady supply of water to ensure that its roots are kept hydrated.
Its important to water the plant regularly, but avoid overwatering, as this can lead to root rot.
Additionally, make sure to mulch around the plant to help it retain moisture as well.
With the right care, French lavender can grow to be quite large, reaching up to 4 feet in height and width.
Soil Requirements for French Lavender
When it comes to growing French lavender, one of the most important factors is having the right soil.
French lavender prefers soil that is well-draining, slightly acidic, and rich in organic matter.
The pH of the soil should be between 6.0 and 7.5, which is slightly acidic.
If the soil is too acidic or too alkaline, it can prevent the lavender from growing properly.
Adding organic matter such as compost or aged manure can help to improve the soil quality and create the ideal environment for French lavender.
It’s also important to make sure that the soil is not too wet, as this can cause root rot and other issues.
If you’re growing French lavender in a container, make sure to use a potting mix that drains well and is specially formulated for use with herbs.
Pruning Tips for French Lavender
Pruning is an important part of caring for French lavender and is essential for keeping it healthy and attractive.
Pruning helps to promote bushier growth and encourages an abundance of fragrant purple blooms.
It also helps to keep the plant from becoming too large and unmanageable.
The best time to prune French lavender is in early spring.
This is when new growth is just beginning and the plant is starting to become more active.
At this time, any dead, diseased, or damaged branches should be removed.
It is also important to remove any branches that are growing out of the desired shape of the plant.
When pruning, it is important to use sharp, clean pruning tools to ensure that branches are cut cleanly and not jagged.
It is also important to not prune too much or too aggressively.
Pruning too much can cause the plant to become weak and sparse, and can lead to an overall reduction in blooms.
When pruning French lavender, the goal is to keep the plant full and bushy, with a mounded shape.
This can be achieved by removing any dead, diseased, or damaged branches, as well as any branches that are growing out of the desired shape.
It is also beneficial to remove any suckers, which are small shoots that emerge from the main stem.
With proper pruning, French lavender can reach its full potential and become a beautiful addition to any garden.
Pruning is an easy and important part of caring for this lovely plant, and following these tips can help ensure that it grows to its full size and produces an abundance of fragrant purple blooms.
Fertilizing French Lavender
When it comes to keeping French lavender healthy and growing strong, fertilizing is key.
Properly fertilizing your French lavender will encourage strong, lush growth and plenty of fragrant blooms.
The best time to fertilize is in early spring, when new growth is beginning.
Choose a balanced fertilizer, such as 10-10-10, and apply it according to the directions on the package.
Additionally, you can also incorporate some organic matter into the soil, such as compost or manure, to provide additional nutrients.
When fertilizing, avoid getting the fertilizer on the foliage as it can burn the leaves.
Water the lavender after fertilizing to help the nutrients reach the roots.
Additionally, you may want to give your lavender a boost with a foliar fertilizer, which is a liquid fertilizer that is sprayed onto the foliage.
This is especially beneficial if your soil is lacking in nutrients.
Foliar fertilizers are a great way to give your lavender an extra boost and help it reach its full potential.
How to Propagate French Lavender
Propagating French lavender is a relatively simple process that can be done in a few different ways.
The most common methods are through stem cuttings or division.
Stem cuttings can be taken from mature plants, while division is done by dividing the roots of an established plant.
When propagating from stem cuttings, choose a healthy stem that is at least four inches in length.
Place the cutting in a dry, sterile medium like sand, perlite, or vermiculite.
Keep the medium moist and warm, and within a few weeks, you should see new roots beginning to form.
Once the roots are established, transplant the cutting to a pot or the ground.
Division is a more straightforward method of propagation.
Simply dig up an established French lavender plant and divide the roots into two or more sections.
Plant each section in its own pot or in the ground and water regularly.
Whichever method you choose, French lavender is a resilient and hardy plant that will take root and grow quickly.
With proper care and attention, it can live for several years and can become quite large.
Common Diseases and Pests of French Lavender
When it comes to caring for French lavender, one of the most important things to be aware of is common diseases and pests.
While French lavender is generally a hardy and low-maintenance plant, it can still be vulnerable to certain diseases and pests that can affect its growth and health.
Common diseases that can affect French lavender include root rot, powdery mildew, leaf spot, and downy mildew.
Root rot can be caused by overwatering or poor drainage in the soil, while powdery mildew is caused by high humidity and a lack of air circulation.
Leaf spot and downy mildew are both caused by fungus that can be spread from other plants or through contaminated soil.
In terms of pests, aphids, scale, and mealybugs are all common pests of French lavender and can cause significant damage to the plant.
Aphids, which are small green or black insects, can suck the sap from the plant and cause discoloration of the leaves.
Scale insects are small, hard-shelled pests that can attach themselves to the stems and leaves of the plant.
Mealybugs are white, cottony looking insects that can suck the sap from the plant and cause it to wilt and die.
To prevent common diseases and pests from affecting your French lavender, it is important to practice regular and thorough maintenance of the plant.
This includes regular pruning and trimming to promote air circulation, making sure the soil is well-drained, and avoiding over-watering.
Additionally, it is important to inspect the plant regularly for signs of pests and treat any infestations immediately.
If you do find an infestation, it is best to use an insecticidal soap or an organic insecticide to get rid of the pests.
Final Thoughts
French lavender is an attractive and fragrant addition to any outdoor space.
It can be grown in containers or in the ground and requires well-drained, sunny locations.
With the right soil, pruning, and fertilizing, French lavender can grow to be quite large.
For those looking to propagate this plant, there are a few simple methods to follow.
It is also important to be aware of the common diseases and pests that can affect the health of French lavender.
With proper care, this plant can be enjoyed for years to come.
Now that you know the basics of growing French lavender, why not give it a try in your garden?