The Lavandula angustifolia or English Lavender plant is a peculiar flowering perennial plant that is known for its sweet-scenting leaves and blooms.
It features purple blooms that are carried by slim stalks which can grow as tall as 3 feet, this makes the flowering Lavender plant a perfect plant to be grown in balconies and other small spaces.
Lavender English plants are used as ornamental plants but also have a practical use in sleep aromatherapy, where the flowering petals are crushed and turned into oils.
Native to the Mediterranean region, English lavender plants are toxic to people and pets when ingested so be cautious when dealing with them.
| Botanical Name | Lavandula angustifolia |
| Common Names | English lavender Lavender, True Lavender |
| Origin | Mediterranean |
| Family | Lamiaceae |
| Plant Type | Flowering perennial plant |
| Full Size | From 2 feet to 3 feet tall, 2 feet to 4 feet wide |
| Sun Exposure | Full or direct sunlight |
| Soil Type | Well-drained, gritty or sandy soil |
| Toxicity | Toxic to people and plants |
English Lavender Care
The English Lavandula plant is a little difficult to grow and care for. Meeting its basic light, water, soil, and temperature requirements could guarantee a thriving plant.
English Lavender Light Requirement
When growing your English Lavender plant, do ensure that you provide enough access to direct or full sunlight as possible.
Growing the exotic flowering plant in a shaded environment does limit the plant from growing proper blooms and it also leaves the plant looking leggy.
Place the potted plant in a room or perhaps a balcony that faces eastwards where it can get as much sunlight as needed.
English Lavender Water Requirement
During its young stage of growth, you should water the Lavender plant every day for the first week. However, be sure to limit the watering to once a week as they grow into mature plants.
You could also water the English plant once in 4 days, but this depends on the season as the plant would require frequent watering during the summer season and less frequent watering during the winter season.
Excess watering is a terrible practice for the Lavender English plant as wet soil would leave the plant open to root rot.
Use room temperature water that is free from chlorine, so as not to stress the roots of the delicate plant.
English Lavender Soil Requirement
The best soil type to use for the English Lavender is dry, gritty, or sandy soil that possesses a high draining ability.
Moisture in the soil could lead to root rot so ensure that the soil type being used has little to no moisture retaining capability.
You do not need to add organic compost to the soil type as you would be causing more harm to the plant.
Keep the soil type between neutral to a little basic with a pH value that ranges from 7.0 to 7.3.
English Lavender Temperature and Humidity Requirement
A lavender English plant grows well in the Mediterranean region where the atmosphere is dry and warm.
Replicate that in your indoor spaces when growing the English Lavender plant. The English lavender hardiness zone ranges from zone 5 to zone 8. Keep the potted plant away from vents or humidifiers.
English Lavender Fertilizer Requirement
Do not fertilize the Lavandula Angustifolia, as fertilizing the potted plant could reduce its growth and stop it from producing flowers.
English Lavender Propagation and Potting Requirement
Propagation can be done in two ways, which are;
- Through seed propagation
- Stem Cuttings
Propagation by stem cuttings is the most recommended practice as it is easier than through seed.
As a small plant, the Lavender plant requires a small pot with enough draining holes at the base where water can pass through with ease. Repotting should be done once in 2 to 3 years as English lavenders are slow-growing plants.
English Lavender Pruning Requirement
Pruning would be required to keep the plant looking fresh. The best time to prune should be in the late summer or early spring so as to encourage the growth of new leaves. Ensure you sterilize the tools to be used for pruning and wear protective gloves while pruning.
Toxicity
English Lavenders are toxic when ingested, so be sure to keep the exotic flowering plant away from the reach of children and pets. Call a licensed professional when you suspect that a child or pet has eaten from the English Lavender plant.
Common Health Problems of the English Lavender
- Leaf spots
- Root rot
- Overwintering
Frequently Asked Question
Yes, the English Lavender is a perennial flowering plant
The Lavandula Angustifolia is a small plant that grows at a maximum height of 3 feet
Angustifolia is a Latin word that means ‘narrow leaf’, which represents how narrow the English Lavender leaves are.
The elegant flower plant can survive cold climates and the winter season but it does well in the warm season.
English Lavenders are slow-growing plants that could take months to reach the stage for transplanting.
