How to Grow Lavender Double

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Lavender Double

Lavandula angustifolia 'Double'

shrub

Lavender Double is a compact flowering shrub prized for its dense, fully-double purple flowers that bloom profusely from early to mid-summer. This cultivar produces more petals per flower than traditional lavender, creating fuller, more ornamental blooms while maintaining the classic lavender fragrance. It's an excellent choice for borders, containers, and pollinator gardens.

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Example Lavender Double timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)

Plant Lavender Double
Around Apr 17

Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
Tend & protect
Late spring–summer

Watering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
Harvest Lavender Double
Late summer into fall

Before the first fall frost (≈ Nov 8)

Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Lavender Double dates for your own zip code.

Growing Conditions

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Sun: Full sun, 6-8 hours daily minimum; 8+ hours preferred for best flowering

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Water: Low water needs once established. Water deeply but infrequently during the growing season. Drought tolerant; reduce watering in fall and winter. Avoid overhead watering and allow soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot.

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Spacing: 18-24 inches

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Days to maturity: 60-90 days to first flowering; reaches full mature size in 2-3 years

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Planting depth: Plant at soil level; do not bury the crown. Space with at least 18-24 inches between plants.

Soil

Type: Well-draining sandy or gravelly loam soil

pH: 6.0-8.0

Amendments:

Coarse sand or perlite for drainage Gravel or rock mulch Avoid heavy organic matter unless drainage is poor

Growing Zones

Find your zone →

Thrives in USDA zones 5-9; hardy to zone 4b with protection

4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a 9b

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Growth Stages

Establishment

3-6 months

Young transplants with sparse foliage and thin stems; may have minimal flowering in first year

Water regularly to establish deep roots. Provide staking if windy. Mulch lightly with gravel, not organic material. Avoid heavy pruning first year.

Vegetative Growth

6-12 months

Plant develops bushy form with dense gray-green foliage; no flowers yet or minimal early buds

Continue regular watering until established (6-12 months). Remove any dead wood. Light pinching of stem tips promotes bushiness. Ensure excellent drainage.

Flowering

6-8 weeks (peak season early to mid-summer)

Dense spikes of fully-double purple flowers emerge from gray-green foliage; continuous blooming through peak season

Deadhead spent flowers to encourage continuous blooming. Reduce watering as plant transitions to drought tolerance. Do not fertilize; excess nitrogen reduces flowering.

Seed Set & Decline

Late summer through fall (4-6 weeks)

Flowers fade and dry on stems; foliage remains gray-green; plant slows growth

Allow some flowers to dry for ornamental value and wildlife benefit. Reduce watering significantly. Prepare for dormancy in cold climates. Do not prune heavily yet.

Dormancy & Winter Hardiness

3-4 months (November-March in cold regions)

Plant enters semi-dormant state in cold climates; foliage remains but growth stops; in warm zones plant may flower sporadically

Prune in early spring (late March-April) to remove 1/3 of previous year's growth and maintain shape. Avoid fall pruning which exposes tender growth to frost. In cold zones, add protective mulch after soil freezes.

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Catmint (Nepeta) Russian Sage (Perovskia) Yarrow (Achillea) Santolina Salvia Roses Thyme Sage

Avoid planting near:

Water-loving plants (hostas, ferns, astilbe) Plants requiring frequent watering Heavy shade trees Areas with poor drainage or standing water

Common Pests

Hand-pick beetles; use row covers on young plants; spray with neem oil in early morning if infestation is severe; encourage natural predators
Spray with strong water stream to dislodge; increase humidity; use miticide if severe; ensure good air circulation
Improve air circulation; avoid wetting foliage; remove affected leaves; use sulfur spray if needed; do not overwater
Ensure excellent drainage; reduce watering; amend soil with sand and gravel; remove infected plants; use well-draining potting mix for containers
Spray with insecticidal soap; use yellow sticky traps; encourage beneficial insects; improve air circulation

Uses

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Culinary & Beverage Use

Culinary

Lavender flowers are edible and commonly used to flavor teas, baked goods, honey, and infusions. The double form produces more petals for harvesting, making it efficient for culinary purposes. [source]

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Relaxation & Sleep Support

Medicinal

Lavender is traditionally used in herbal remedies for stress relief, anxiety, and sleep improvement. Linalool and linalyl acetate compounds in lavender essential oil have calming properties documented in aromatherapy research. [source]

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Fragrance & Household Products

Household

Dried lavender flowers are used to make sachets, potpourri, and essential oils for household fragrance, linen freshening, and natural cleaning products. The abundant double flowers provide ample material for drying and crafting. [source]

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Floral Arrangements & Crafts

Craft

The showy double flowers and long stems make Lavender Double ideal for dried flower arrangements, wreaths, and decorative crafts. The flowers dry beautifully while retaining color and fragrance. [source]

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Pollinator Support

Wildlife

Lavender is an excellent nectar and pollen source for bees, butterflies, and other pollinators throughout the summer blooming season. A mature plant provides abundant forage for beneficial insects. [source]

This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.

Harvest Tips

Cut flower spikes in early morning when 50% of florets have opened but before fully faded. Cut stems 12-18 inches long just above a set of leaves. Harvest throughout the blooming season (June-August) to encourage more flowering. Dried flowers retain fragrance for months; hang bundles upside down in a cool, well-ventilated space for 2-3 weeks.

Fun Facts

🌱 The name 'lavender' comes from the Latin 'lavare' meaning 'to wash,' as ancient Romans used lavender in their bathing rituals for its fragrance and skin-soothing properties.
🌱 Lavender Double's fully-double flowers contain more petals than standard lavender varieties, making it visually showy but also sterile or nearly sterile, so deadheading focuses energy into continuous flowering rather than seed production.
🌱 Lavender has been used for over 2,500 years and is one of the most commercially important aromatic plants in the world; a single lavender plant can produce enough flowers to yield approximately 15 ml of essential oil.

Gardening Terms

New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:

Cultivar Deadhead Full Sun Mulch Transplant

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