Lavandin
Lavandula intermedia · Lamiaceae
The gardener's calendar
Lavandin is in full bloom: enjoy it, watch watering in hot weather and let spent flowers feed pollinators before pruning.
ID card
- Foliage
- Evergreen, grey-green, aromatic
- Flowering
- July to September, violet-blue flowers in dense spikes
- Adult size
- 80 to 100 cm tall, 60 to 80 cm wide
- Growth
- Fast to moderate
- Hardiness
- Very hardy, down to -15 °C
- Origin
- Mediterranean basin (hybrid between Lavandula angustifolia and Lavandula latifolia)
- Soil type
- Well-drained, chalky, poor to moderately fertile
✓ Taxonomy verifiedSource: AI estimate · hardiness: reliability high.
Expert tips
The key tip
Grow Lavandula intermedia like a dry herb: a single watering at planting, then trust the deep root system. It mostly suffers from excess water.
The common mistake
Regular watering or growing it in rich, humus-laden soil.
The pro's trick
Cut back to 25 cm high in February, just before the new growth.
Care
Exposure
Intermediate lavender demands full sun: a minimum of 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight daily for generous flowering. Light shade is tolerated in very hot regions, but it reduces flower density. Avoid damp and confined areas.
Watering
Water needs are very low once established. Water regularly during the first year to promote rooting. After that, rely on natural rainfall; only water during prolonged dry spells. Excess water causes root rot.
Soil preparation
Choose very well-drained, gravelly or sandy soil. Incorporate gravel or pumice if your soil retains too much moisture. Lavender tolerates chalky and poor soils; soil too rich in organic matter encourages foliage at the expense of flowering.
Pruning and cutting
Prune moderately after flowering (September-October) to maintain a compact, airy shape. Remove spent flower spikes regularly during summer to encourage new blooms. Avoid cutting into old wood; renew the plant every 4 to 5 years if it becomes too dense.
Fertilizer
No fertilizer is necessary. Soil that's too rich promotes soft growth and reduces the concentration of essential oils. In very poor soil, a light application of compost in spring is sufficient.
Pests and diseases
Lavender is very resistant. The main risks are root rot if soil stays waterlogged, and rarely powdery mildew in overly humid conditions. Chemical treatment is generally unnecessary if growing conditions are proper.
Did you know?
Intermediate lavender is a natural hybrid between two Mediterranean species. It's the lavender used in many commercial essential oils from southern France, particularly in Provence, because it produces three to four times more essence than fine lavender while retaining a refined fragrance. It was especially prized in the 19th century during the development of the modern perfume industry.
Where to buy it
Best planted in autumn so the roots settle in before summer, or in early spring once the frost has passed. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, October, November.
Add this plant to my garden →Plants from the same family
- LavenderLavandula angustifolia
- ThymeThymus vulgaris
- RosemarySalvia rosmarinus
- SageSalvia officinalis
- BasilOcimum basilicum
- BugleAjuga reptans
Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.