French lavender
Lavandula stoechas · Lamiaceae
📷 Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz · CC BY-SA 4.0
The gardener's calendar
In autumn, ease off feeding and take the chance to clean up around french lavender and prepare for winter.
ID card
- Foliage
- Evergreen, grey-green, finely pubescent
- Flowering
- April to July, violet flowers in dense spikes
- Adult size
- 60 to 80 cm in height
- Growth
- Fast to moderate
- Hardiness
- Down to -5 °C depending on conditions
- Origin
- Mediterranean, Stoechades Islands
- Soil type
- Well-drained, light, chalky or neutral
✓ Taxonomy verifiedSource: AI estimate · hardiness: reliability medium.
Expert tips
The key tip
Lavandula stoechas demands perfect drainage: plant on a mound in sandy/chalky soil. Water sparingly but regularly: let the soil dry between waterings (check at 5 cm depth).
The common mistake
Overwatering or mulching with organic mulch: lavender rots at the collar.
The pro's trick
Prune hard after flowering (July): cut back to one-third of the height.
Care
Watering
Water regularly during the first year to establish the root system. Once established, Stoechas lavender tolerates drought well and needs little water. In summer, watering every 10 to 15 days is sufficient. Avoid waterlogging, which promotes root rot.
Exposure
Place this lavender in full sun, at least 6 hours per day. It thrives in well-lit areas and appreciates Mediterranean warmth. A south or west-facing exposure optimizes its flowering and development.
Pruning
Prune lightly after flowering (July-August) to maintain a compact, bushy shape. Cut back faded stems without cutting into old wood. More severe pruning in spring (before bud break) can rejuvenate an exhausted plant.
Soil and planting
Well-drained soil is essential: add sand or gravel if your soil is heavy. Stoechas lavender appreciates neutral to slightly alkaline pH. Avoid soils too rich in organic matter, which promotes growth at the expense of flowering.
Fertilizing
Undemanding, lavender needs only limited feeding. A balanced fertilizer in spring is enough, or none at all if the soil is properly prepared at planting. Excess nitrogen reduces flowering and weakens the plant.
Diseases and pests
Stoechas lavender is generally robust if drainage conditions are good. Watch for root rot in case of excessive moisture. Aerate the base, mulch lightly and reduce watering if problems occur. No major pests usually affect it.
Did you know?
Stoechas lavender owes its scientific name to the Stoechades Islands (now the Îles d'Hyères in Provence). Already known to the ancient Greeks, it was used to perfume baths and clothes. Its inflorescences crowned with colored bracts distinguish it from other lavenders and make it a highly prized ornamental plant in Mediterranean gardens.
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.