How to Grow Candy Lavender
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Candy Lavender
Lavandula angustifolia 'Candy'
shrubCandy Lavender is a compact ornamental lavender cultivar prized for its vibrant bicolor flowers featuring deep purple blooms with white edges. This hardy perennial shrub produces aromatic, needle-like foliage and attracts pollinators while offering excellent drought tolerance once established. It's ideal for borders, containers, and as a fragrant landscape accent.
When should you plant Candy Lavender in your zone?
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Example Candy Lavender timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Candy Lavender
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
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Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
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Harvest Candy Lavender
Around Jul 16≈ 90 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Candy Lavender dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 5-9, with protection possible in zone 4
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Get my Candy Lavender timeline →Growth Stages
Seedling
3-4 weeksTiny plants with first true leaves emerging; very fragile with minimal foliage
Keep soil lightly moist, not wet. Provide bright light. Transplant seedlings when they have 2-3 true leaf pairs.
Establishment
4-6 weeksYoung plants developing woody stems and fuller foliage; leaves becoming more silvery-green
Water regularly but allow surface to dry between waterings. Begin hardening off before field planting. Pinch growing tips to encourage bushiness.
Vegetative Growth
6-8 weeksMature shrub structure forming with dense, gray-green needle-like foliage; no flowers yet
Maintain consistent but not excessive watering. Apply mulch around base. Prune lightly to maintain compact shape.
Flowering
8-12 weeksDistinctive bicolor flower spikes emerge; deep purple florets with prominent white petal edges creating striking contrast
Deadhead spent flowers to encourage continuous blooming. Reduce nitrogen fertilizer. Harvest flowers for drying or fresh use.
Post-Bloom & Dormancy
Ongoing seasonal cycleFlowering diminishes; foliage remains attractive year-round. Plant enters semi-dormant state in winter in cooler zones
Minimize watering in cold months. Prune in early spring before new growth. Divide established plants every 3-4 years.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Hand-pick beetles; encourage natural predators; apply neem oil if severe. Relatively uncommon on Candy Lavender.
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Increase humidity with misting in dry conditions; spray with water forcefully; apply horticultural oil if infestation persists.
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Yellow sticky traps; insecticidal soap; neem oil. Improve air circulation to reduce populations.
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Ensure excellent drainage; avoid overwatering; remove and destroy severely affected plants. Improve air circulation.
Uses
Tea & Beverages
CulinaryLavender flowers make a fragrant, slightly floral tea with mild calming properties. Candy Lavender's vibrant bicolor flowers add visual appeal to tea blends, infusions, and cocktail garnishes. [source]
Relaxation & Sleep Support
MedicinalLavender is traditionally used in aromatherapy for its calming and stress-reducing properties. The essential oil and dried flowers are used in sachets, pillows, and infusions to promote relaxation and improve sleep quality. [source]
Dried Arrangements & Fragrance
HouseholdCandy Lavender's stunning bicolor flowers are excellent for dried floral arrangements, sachets, and potpourri. Dried flowers retain their fragrance and striking appearance for months, naturally scenting drawers and living spaces. [source]
Crafts & Floral Design
CraftThe distinctive purple-and-white flower spikes are highly sought for wedding bouquets, corsages, and decorative craft projects. Long stems and lasting color make Candy Lavender ideal for pressed flowers and floral art. [source]
Pollinator Support
WildlifeCandy Lavender is a magnet for honeybees, bumblebees, and butterflies, making it excellent for pollinator gardens. Flowering plants provide essential nectar and pollen sources throughout the blooming season. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
Harvest flower spikes when fully colored but before they fully open, ideally in morning after dew dries. Cut with sharp pruners just below the flower head. Use fresh immediately or dry by hanging bundles in a warm, well-ventilated area (10-14 days). Pinching off spent blooms extends flowering into fall.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 The word 'lavender' comes from the Latin 'lavare,' meaning 'to wash,' as Romans used lavender in bathing and laundry rituals.
- 🌱 Candy Lavender's distinctive white-edged petals (picotee pattern) make it one of the most ornamentally striking lavender cultivars and a favorite among garden designers.
- 🌱 A single established lavender plant can survive up to 15-20 years with proper care, making it an excellent long-term investment for perennial gardens.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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