The key lavender growing requirements include full sun and excellent drainage above all else. Yes, lavender needs 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight every day to bloom and grow well for you. It also needs soil that drains fast so roots never sit in water. Give your lavender these two things and it will thrive with very little other care from you.
Meeting lavender sun needs is the first step to success with this beautiful plant in your garden. Lavender evolved in the Mediterranean region where summers are hot, dry, and sunny for months. Your plant wants to bake in full sun just like it would on a hillside in Provence. Less than six hours of direct sun leads to weak growth, few flowers, and disease problems in your beds.
I learned this lesson the hard way with my first lavender plants years ago in my garden. I planted them in a spot that got morning shade from a nearby tree in my yard. They grew leggy and barely flowered that first summer, which was disappointing to see. The next spring I moved them to a south-facing bed with full sun all day long.
Those moved lavenders grew fast and covered themselves in purple flowers by June. The difference was so clear that I now tell everyone learning how to grow lavender the same thing. Pick the sunniest spot in your yard for these plants. Your lavender will reward you with more blooms and stronger stems.
This lavender care guide covers the other needs your plants have beyond just sunshine. Soil pH should fall between 6.5 and 7.5 for best results in your garden beds. Drainage matters more than soil fertility because lavender hates wet feet above all else. Sandy or rocky soil works better than rich garden loam for your lavender plants.
Your lavender will grow in zones 5 through 9 depending on which variety you choose for your garden. English lavender handles cold better than French or Spanish types do. Check the plant tag for zone ratings before you buy anything at your local nursery. Pick the right variety for your climate and your lavender can live for 15 years or more with good care.
Pruning keeps your lavender compact and prevents the woody splitting that kills older plants in time. Cut your plants back by one-third right after they finish flowering in summer. Never cut into old woody stems because they may not grow back for you. Shape your plant into a neat mound and it will stay healthy and full for many years.
The most common mistakes gardeners make with lavender involve giving it too much of a good thing. Overwatering rots roots faster than almost anything else can harm your plants. Planting in rich soil makes stems weak and floppy rather than strong. Adding fertilizer pushes soft growth that attracts pests and dies back in winter cold.
Your lavender wants you to neglect it a little once it gets established in your garden. Water only when the soil feels dry 2 inches (5 cm) down near your plant's roots. Skip the fertilizer and let your plant grow tough and strong on its own. This hands-off approach matches how lavender grows wild in its native Mediterranean home.
Read the full article: Top 10 Drought Resistant Plants for Gardens
