💜 When to Plant Lavender

When should I plant lavender?

Plant lavender outdoors at last frost date. For a head start, start seeds indoors 12 weeks before your area's last frost date. Transplants can go out 2 weeks after last frost.

Is lavender frost sensitive?

Lavender can tolerate light frost, surviving temperatures as low as 20°F. This makes it a great candidate for early spring or fall planting when other crops can't go out yet.

What temperature does lavender need?

Lavender grows best between 50°F and 80°F. It can survive down to 20°F, but growth slows significantly below 50°F. Warm nights are especially important once fruiting begins.

How long does lavender take to grow?

Lavender typically takes 90–120 days from transplant (or direct sow) to first harvest. This is a long-season crop — start seeds early enough to ensure harvest before your area's first fall frost.

Should I start lavender seeds indoors?

Yes — start lavender seeds indoors 12 weeks before your area's last expected frost date. This gives seedlings time to develop strong roots before outdoor conditions are ready.

Is it too cold to plant lavender?

It is too cold to plant Lavender outdoors when nighttime temperatures are falling below 20°F. While Lavender can tolerate temperatures as low as 20°F, growth will be slow until nights consistently exceed 50°F. Use CanIPlant to check your local 7-day forecast and get a real-time answer for your ZIP code.

Is it too hot to plant lavender?

Lavender starts to struggle when temperatures climb above 80°F. As a warm-season crop, Lavender enjoys heat but can experience blossom drop and reduced fruiting above 85°F. Consistent highs above that level may delay planting until temperatures moderate. CanIPlant checks your local forecast highs to flag this automatically.

Any tips for growing lavender?

Must have excellent drainage. Drought-tolerant once established. Do not overwater.