Lavandula pedunculata
Lavandula pedunculata · Lamiaceae
The gardener's calendar
In autumn, ease off feeding and take the chance to clean up around lavandula pedunculata and prepare for winter.
ID card
- Foliage
- Evergreen, gray-green, narrow and aromatic
- Flowering
- Spring to summer (April-July), purple flowers in spikes
- Adult size
- 24 to 32 inches tall × 24 inches wide
- Growth
- Fast to moderate
- Hardiness
- Zone 8-10 (Mediterranean climate, tolerates -5 to -10 °C / 23 to 14 °F)
- Origin
- Iberian Peninsula and North Africa
- Soil type
- Well-drained, rather poor, drought-tolerant
Care
Watering
Moderate and regular for the first year after planting, then reduce gradually. Once established, stalked lavender tolerates drought well; water only during prolonged heat waves. Avoid excess moisture, which promotes root rot.
Light Exposure
Full sun, minimum 6 hours of direct light daily for good flowering. This lavender appreciates maximum heat and brightness. In shade, the plant becomes leggy and flowers less abundantly.
Pruning and Cutting
Prune lightly after flowering (July-August) to maintain a compact shape and encourage branching. Cut back about one-third of the stem length. Regular annual pruning extends the plant's lifespan and prevents bare patches.
Soil and Drainage
Prefers well-drained, gravelly or sandy substrate, poor in organic matter. If soil is too rich or clayey, amend with coarse sand or pea gravel. Good drainage is essential to prevent root rot.
Fertilization
Undemanding; no fertilizer is necessary on poor soil. In containers, a light application of well-decomposed compost in spring is sufficient. Avoid nitrogen-rich fertilizers that promote excessive foliage at the expense of flowering.
Diseases and Pests
Hardy plant, rarely affected by disease if drainage is correct. In case of excess moisture, watch for root rot or grey mold. Regularly check for the absence of spider mites in dry climates.
Did you know?
Lavandula pedunculata, also called spike lavender, was once cultivated around the Mediterranean for essential oil extraction. Its atypical flowers, borne on long upright peduncles, give it a distinctive silhouette that makes it a highly ornamental plant sought after in modern coastal gardens, though it is less well-known than its cousin Lavandula angustifolia.
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
- ThymeThymus vulgaris
- LavenderLavandula angustifolia
- SageSalvia officinalis
- BasilOcimum basilicum
- RosemarySalvia rosmarinus
- BugleAjuga reptans
Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.