Lavender (Seeds)
Lavandula angustifolia
Fragrant, calming, and beautiful — grow your own lavender from seed for a garden or windowsill that smells incredible.
Overview
Lavender is one of the most beloved herbs in the world — prized for its intensely fragrant purple flowers, calming properties, and culinary uses. Growing from seed is a rewarding process that takes patience (germination can take up to 4 weeks) but results in a plant perfectly adapted to your environment. Once established, lavender is drought-tolerant, long-lived, and produces more fragrant blooms each year.
Care Requirements
Light
Full Sun to Bright Indirect Light — 6+ hours of light daily
Water
Every 7–10 days once established — drought tolerant; overwatering is the #1 killer
Humidity
Low to Moderate — prefers dry conditions
Soil
Sandy, well-draining soil with added perlite or coarse sand — never heavy or clay-like
Temperature
60–80°F (16–27°C) for germination; tolerates cold once established
Fertilizer
Minimal — too much fertilizer reduces fragrance. Light balanced feed once in spring.
Detailed Care Guide
Light
- Needs 6+ hours of direct or bright light daily — this is a sun-loving plant
- A south-facing window is ideal for indoor growing
- Outdoors, full sun is best for the most fragrant, compact growth
- Insufficient light causes leggy, weak growth and poor fragrance
Watering
- Water every 7–10 days once established — lavender is drought tolerant
- Allow soil to dry completely between waterings — overwatering is the #1 killer
- Seedlings need more consistent moisture until established (keep lightly moist)
- Reduce watering significantly in winter — once a month or less
Soil
- Sandy, well-draining soil is essential — lavender hates wet feet
- Add 30–50% coarse sand or perlite to standard potting mix
- Slightly alkaline soil (pH 6.5–7.5) is ideal
- Never use heavy potting mixes or soils with high moisture retention
Temperature & Humidity
- Germinates best at 65–70°F (18–21°C) — consistent warmth is important for seeds
- Once established, lavender is cold-hardy and tolerates frost
- Prefers low humidity — high humidity causes fungal issues
- Good air circulation is important — use a small fan near seedlings to prevent damping off
Difficulty Level
Easy — once you understand that lavender hates wet soil and loves sun, it's very straightforward. The main challenges are germination patience (up to 4 weeks) and avoiding overwatering.
Extra Notes
Pet safe — non-toxic to cats, dogs, and humans. Lavender is actually calming for pets in small amounts. Harvest flowers just as they begin to open for the most intense fragrance. Lavender is a perennial — with proper care, your plant will live for many years and produce more blooms each season.
Pro Tip
After the first bloom, cut the flower stems back by about one-third — this encourages a second flush of blooms and keeps the plant compact. Never cut back into woody stems.
New to this plant?
Just Received This Plant?
If you just received a cutting or node: sow immediately or store in a cool, dry place for up to a year. To sow: fill a small pot with sandy seed-starting mix, scatter seeds on the surface, press gently — do not bury. Mist with water, cover with plastic wrap, and place in a warm bright spot. Remove the cover once sprouts appear (14–28 days). Thin seedlings to one per pot once they have 2 sets of true leaves.
If you just received a potted plant: place immediately in the sunniest window available (south-facing is ideal). Water only when the top inch of soil is dry — lavender hates wet feet. Do not fertilize for 6–8 weeks. If the plant looks leggy, it needs more light. Once established, move outdoors in warm weather for the best growth and fragrance.
Basic Care Instructions
Plant in sandy, well-draining soil and place in the sunniest spot available (6+ hours of light). Water every 7–10 days once established, allowing soil to dry completely. Fertilize lightly once in spring. Harvest flowers as they open for the best fragrance.
Propagation
From seed: sow on surface of moist seed-starting mix, press gently, do not cover. Keep at 65–70°F. Germination takes 14–28 days. Keep consistently moist until sprouted, then reduce watering.
Common Problems & Fixes
Seeds not germinating
Ensure consistent moisture and warmth (65–70°F). Lavender seeds can be slow — be patient up to 4 weeks.
Damping off (seedlings collapsing)
Improve air circulation and reduce moisture — use a fan on low near seedlings
Leggy seedlings
Move to brighter light immediately — lavender needs maximum light to grow compact and strong
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