08/07/2026
Lavender isn't a regular flower bed plant, and it'll let you know real quick if you treat it like one. Here's what actually works:
It wants full, baking sun — six to eight hours minimum, and the hotter the better. That shady corner you're thinking about? Nope.
Water it, then let the soil dry out completely before watering again. Overwatering is the number one k*ller. Your lavender wants gritty, well-drained soil, not the rich, heavy stuff that makes other plants happy. If your soil is too fertile, you'll end up with leggy plants and barely any flowers.
Skip the bark mulch right against the crown. Use gravel instead — it keeps moisture away from the base where it can rot things out.
Prune about a third of the plant each spring, cutting into the green growth. Never cut back into bare wood; lavender won't recover from that. The whole philosophy here is lean, dry, and sunny. Treat it like a plant that thrives on a little neglect, and it'll reward you.
