Chris is a gardening writer and nature enthusiast. He graduated from Oxford Brookes University in 2022 with an MA in Psychology. Chris works with the Leeds Green Action Society, helping their food cooperative by growing various fruit and vegetables on their two allotments in Hyde Park, Leeds.
Reviewed By COLIN SKELLY
Colin is a Horticulturist and Horticultural Consultant with experience in a range of practical and managerial roles across heritage, commercial and public horticulture. He holds the Royal Horticultural Society’s Master of Horticulture award and has a particular interest in horticultural ecology and naturalistic planting for habitat and climate resilience.
IN THIS GUIDE
French Lavender, known formally as Lavandula stoechas, is an evergreen herb shrub with aromatic properties.
It is also sometimes known under the names ‘Spanish Lavender’ or ‘Butterfly Lavender’.
A bushy, low-maintenance plant, it looks and smells beautiful – and can grow almost anywhere, which makes it incredibly popular amongst UK gardeners.
Despite being low-maintenance, to get the most out of this stunning plant, we recommend following our tips below to ensure it is planted in the right areas and cared for properly over time.
Overview
| Botanical Name | Lavandula stoechas |
| Common Name(s) | French Lavender |
| Plant Type | Shrub / Herb |
| Native Area | West Mediterranean |
| Hardiness Rating | H4 |
| Foliage | Narrow, grey-green leaves |
| Flowers | Dark purple flowers |
| When To Sow | March, April, May, June |
| Flowering Months | May, June, July, August, September |
| When To Prune | September, October |
Sunlight
Preferred
Full Sun
Exposure
Sheltered
Size
Height
0.5 – 1M
Spread
0.5 – 1M
Bloom Time
May – September
Soil
Preferred
Chalk, Loam, Sand
Moisture
Well Drained
pH
Any
Lavender is commonly used in perfumes, potpourris and essential oils.
In the past it was also used to perfume baths and clothes, so it’s fair to say that this is a smell most people will recognise.
The plant itself will grow upright – usually to no more than 1m in height.
The fragrance emanates from the cylindrical heads that taper to reveal bright purple flowers, often referred to as its ‘ears’.
These elegant flowers are also the origin of the name ‘Butterfly Lavender’.
The leaves of the plant are long, pointed and bushy – resembling those of Rosemary.
French Lavender is said to be less hardy than its counterpart English Lavender (see our comparison below) and will generally last around five years.
There are ways in which to preserve its lifespan through cuttings, which we cover in more detail below.
Flowering season typically begins in early May, with further flowering mid-summer and in late summer or early autumn.
Interestingly, French Lavender is actually considered a weed in many parts of Australia.1Worrying Weeds of Wamboin: Topped Lavender (Lavandula stoechas). (n.d.). NSW Landcare Gateway. Retrieved March 21, 2023, from https://landcare.nsw.gov.au/groups/gearys-gap-wamboin-landcare-group/worrying-weeds-of-wamboin-topped-lavender-lavandula-stoechas/
How To Grow French Lavender
Because this is such a battle-hardy plant, it can be grown nearly anywhere.
However, we do recommend placing it in an area that will avoid frost.
Temperatures of -7°C and below will likely kill the plant, so it needs protection in extreme winter conditions.
Lavender can be used in garden edging, on banks and slopes, adjacent to walls and fencing, near ponds and outdoor water features – it pretty much fits in anywhere.
It’s recommended that it should be planted in a location where it will receive maximum exposure to sunlight, but still be sheltered from over-exposure to wind and rain.
Generally it will fare best in soil that is dry and well-drained – the RHS recommend soil with Chalk, Sand & Loam properties for it to thrive.2Lavandula stoechas | French lavender. (n.d.). Royal Horticultural Society. Retrieved March 21, 2023, from https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/24039/lavandula-stoechas/details
Good drainage and proper air circulation are essential if you’re planting French Lavender in a warm, humid climate.
French Lavender Care
Watering
Watering is easy – as a Mediterranean plant, French lavender thrives in hot, dry conditions and will rarely need watering.
You may need to give it a hand in the event of a heat wave but otherwise, rainwater should suffice.
Pruning & Deadheading
As the plants fade out of bloom towards the end of summer, you should look to remove the heads by cutting the stem below the spent flower, ideally just above the first healthy set of leaves.
This is known as ‘deadheading’ – not only will this keep the plant looking its best, but it will promote fresh growth the following season.
In terms of pruning, there is one core rule to follow:
Only ever prune growth that still bears leaves. You should never cut into the wood of the plant (or it won’t grow back) and it’s important not to take too much away when cutting.
Use secateurs when pruning as these will offer a good, clean cut.
When pruning you should look at young shoots rather than old growth – these aren’t going to respond well to pruning.
Cut roughly two-thirds of new growth back towards the old wood – this will leave fresh shoots for the following season.
You can use the flowers as a fragrance in potpourri and even store them in your wardrobes to enhance the smell of fresh laundry.
French Vs English Lavender
Whilst these lavender plants are related and highly similar, there are some subtle differences between the two types that are worth noting.
Aroma
The first and probably most important difference is the smell.
The typical Lavender smell that many have become accustomed to is the scent of English Lavender.
The French plant produces a similar smell, but it has subtle hints of Rosemary too – worth considering if this is your main reason for growing the plant.
Cultivation
French Lavender is much less commonly cultivated than English Lavender – and English Lavender is the type you’re more likely to see in British gardens and containers.
Hardiness
English Lavender is hardier than the French variety, which will struggle to tolerate very harsh winter conditions.
Height
French Lavender will generally grow taller than the English variety – reaching up to a metre tall, nearly twice the height.
The flowers last much longer on the French plant, with a bloom time that lasts all the way from the beginning of spring to the late summer.
“I use French lavender where the flowers are combined as part of a Mediterranean planting,” says Master Horticulturist Colin Skelly.
“This allows the flowers to compete with other summer flowering perennials and shrubs due to the larger size and height of the flowers.
“Like other Mediterranean plants, they are susceptible to hard frost, but they associate well together.”
