Spanish Lavender: Plant Care & Growing Guide (2024)

Spanish Lavender Care

Here are the main care requirements for growing Spanish lavender.

• Grow in full sun and poor, sandy, well-draining soil.
• Water infrequently and do not let the plant sit in soggy soil; Spanish lavender hates wet feet.
• Do not fertilize Spanish lavender.
• Prune carefully after its first flush of flowering.
  

Light

Like other lavender varieties, Spanish lavender requires full sun to thrive and produce its fragrant blooms.

Soil

Spanish lavender needs sandy, gravely, well-draining soil to grow healthy and lush. These plants prefer slightly moist soil, but any standing water or slow-draining soil will spell disaster for Spanish lavender. If your soil is composed of clay, be sure to amend it with sand, gravel, peat moss, or coconut coir before planting this herb.

Water

Similar to other lavender varieties, Spanish lavender does not require much water and can withstand periods of drought. However, the best growing conditions involve slightly moist soil, so water these plants before the soil dries out completely. To avoid problems with fungal diseases, it is best to water at soil level to avoid getting the leaves wet.

Temperature and Humidity

Spanish lavender is native to the Mediterranean and does well in hot, dry climates. It thrives in zones 8a to 9b and is a better choice for warmer temperature zones than other popular lavender varieties. However, it’s not as cold-hardy as other varieties of lavender and must stay in a zone where winter temperatures do not drop below 10 to 15 degrees Fahrenheit.

Fertilizer

Spanish lavender is native to areas with sandy, poor-quality soil and prefers soil that is low in nutrients. Because of this, Spanish lavender does not require fertilizer and often does best without it.

Types of Spanish Lavender

Within the Spanish lavender species, here are some of the more popular cultivars:

• ‘Strawberry Ruffles’: This cultivar of Spanish lavender is known for its ruffled petals and bright pink blooms.
• ‘Silver Anouk’: Adorned in silver-gray foliage, it produces two-toned purple flowers.
• ‘Kew Red’: This cultivar produces deep pinkish-red blooms that are topped with pale pink petals.
• 'Alba': This cultivar has white blooms.
• 'Fathead': This variety has long-lasting dark purple flowers that gradually fade to pink. The foliage is silvery green.
• 'Regal Splendour': This type has long flower heads in violet blue, topped by bracts forming pink "ears."

Pruning

Like other lavender varieties, pruning twice a year will encourage Spanish lavender to branch, creating a denser, thicker plant. However, care must be taken to avoid over-pruning these plants. To properly prune lavender, simply trim away around one-third of the plant’s growth after its first flush of flowers. This is also the perfect time to harvest those sweet-smelling flower buds. Then, prune about one-third of the plant’s growth again after the second flush of blooms fades to prepare the plant for fall.

Although individual plants will grow substantially in width as they mature, Spanish lavender does not spread through root extension, so you don't need to worry about aggressive growth.

Propagating Spanish Lavender

Propagating Spanish lavender through cuttings is easy and rewarding. You will need a pair of disinfected, sharp garden snips, a small pot, well-draining soil, a plastic bag, and a rubber band. Then follow these instructions:

1. Take cuttings in the spring or fall. Snip where the new growth meets the old and aim to remove a cutting that does not have any flowers.
2. Remove all the leaves on the lower half of the cutting.
3. Gently plant the stripped end into well-draining dirt. Keep the soil level to just below where the leaves start.
4. Place a clear plastic bag loosely over the cutting to keep in moisture. Secure it around the pot with a rubber band.
5. Keep the soil moist until the plant is established. Check for roots by gently tugging on the cutting. When there is resistance, roots have formed. Remove the plastic bag once this occurs.
6. Alternatively, you can place your cuttings in a glass of water until roots appear. Be sure the water does not soak the leaves. Once healthy roots form, plant the cutting in soil.

How to Grow Spanish Lavender From Seed

Spanish lavender can also be grown from seed. Spanish lavender seeds have the best outcome when started indoors. Here is how to do it:

1. Sow the seeds into well-draining soil in small pots and cover them lightly.
2. Keep the seeds in a cool place. Regularly check the soil, making sure to keep the soil moist.
3. Germination should occur in about two weeks.
4. Keep the seedlings in a sunny location.
5. When seedlings are big enough to handle, transfer them to their own pots or plant in the garden in the spring.

Potting and Repotting Spanish Lavender

Spanish lavender grows very well in containers. When choosing a container, be sure it has multiple drainage holes and drains water freely. Because a potted plant does not have access to underground water sources, potted lavender will need to be watered more often than lavender planted in the garden. Water deeply and infrequently when the soil feels dry.

These plants often need to be repotted yearly. To do this, gently tip the pot onto its side and tap around the outside of the pot. This will loosen the root system. Gently slide the lavender out and place it in its new pot. Fill the pot with sandy, well-draining soil and place it in a sunny location.

Overwintering

When grown in its appropriate growing zones, Spanish lavender does not require much extra attention to survive the winter. Simply add an extra layer of mulch around the plant to help insulate the root system. Cut back on watering and only water if the winter is exceptionally dry. For potted lavender, move it to a sheltered area away from harsh temperatures or winds.

Common Pests and Plant Diseases

Spanish lavender does not struggle with many pests or diseases. Whiteflies and aphids may be attracted to the plant. A blast of water or use of insecticidal soap, such as neem oil, can reduce these infestations. However, the plant is more prone to spittlebugs. This pest is not fatal to lavender though it leaves frothy waste on plants. Spray the bugs off the plants using a garden hose. No pesticide is necessary for this minimally invasive garden pest.

Lavender may be prone to fungal diseases, such as the air-borne shab (Phom*opsis lavandulae), which may be rare but something to watch for. Lavender shoots will begin to wilt and die and there's no cure but to dig up and dispose of the affected plants. Lavender can also develop soil-borne Phytophthora, which causes root and stem rot. Another fungal disease, septoria leaf spot, can be handled with fungicides.

How to Get Spanish Lavender to Bloom

Bloom Months

Spanish lavender may appear in two large flushes of blooms each year. Spanish lavender begins to bloom in the spring and continues throughout the summer.

What Do Spanish Lavender Flowers Look and Smell Like?

Spanish lavender is often preferred to other types of lavender for its unique blooms, often described as purple pineapples or tufted rabbit ears. Depending on the cultivar, Spanish lavender can be found with pink, purple, or white flowers. These plants are adorned with small, gray-green leaves and grow in a compact rounded shape. The flowers have a beautiful lavender aroma.

How to Encourage More Blooms

To encourage blooming, make sure your Spanish lavender is getting six to eight hours of full sunshine a day. It is unnecessary to fertilize Spanish lavender for more blooms or fragrance. Deadheading is also essential to encouraging more blooms.

Deadheading Spanish Lavender Flowers

Deadheading spent blooms will encourage Spanish lavender to continue blooming. Deadhead throughout the growing season to keep your lavender looking full and healthy.

Common Problems With Spanish Lavender

Spanish lavender is rather hardy and does not often struggle with many pests or other problems. However, foliage issues can be caused by subpar soil or moisture conditions. Here's what to look for.

Yellowing, Browning, or Drooping Leaves

These signs can be an indication of root rot. Because Spanish lavender needs well-draining soil and minimal moisture, it is susceptible to developing root rot in overly wet conditions. If you suspect that a plant has root rot, cut back on watering. Remove any organic material, such as fallen leaves, around the plant. Then gently dig up the plant to inspect the roots. Remove any rotting roots with a clean pair of snips, then plant the lavender in an area with well-draining soil and full sunshine. Be sure to give the plant adequate airflow.

Leggy, Yellow Foliage, and Few Flowers

This is a sign of too much nitrogen and is often caused by giving the plant too much fertilizer. If this is the case, stop fertilizing. Then remove the lavender from the rich soil. Either amend the soil with sand and gravel or move the lavender to a pot. Prune around one-third of the leggy growth in the spring or fall to help the lavender regain its compact shape.