How to Grow Princess Lavender

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Princess Lavender

Lavandula angustifolia 'Princess'

herb

Princess Lavender is a compact, early-blooming cultivar of English lavender prized for its vibrant purple flowers and exceptional fragrance. It reaches only 12-18 inches tall, making it ideal for containers, borders, and small gardens. This variety flowers earlier than standard lavender and produces abundant blooms over a long season.

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

Plant Princess Lavender
Around Apr 17

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

Watering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
Harvest Princess Lavender
Around Jun 16

≈ 60 days after planting

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

Growing Conditions

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Sun: Full sun, 6-8 hours daily (8+ hours preferred for best flowering)

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Water: Drought-tolerant once established. Water deeply but infrequently; allow soil to dry between waterings. Overwatering is the primary cause of failure. In rainy climates, provide raised beds or excellent drainage.

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Spacing: 18 inches

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Days to maturity: 60-90 days to first bloom from transplant; 120-150 days from seed

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Planting depth: Surface sow seeds (light required for germination); plant transplants at same depth as nursery pot

Soil

Type: Well-draining sandy or gravelly loam

pH: 6.5-8.0

Amendments:

Coarse sand or perlite for drainage Peat moss (optional, minimal) Limestone if soil pH is below 6.5

Growing Zones

Find your zone →

Thrives in zones 5-9, with best performance in zones 6-8

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

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Growth Stages

Germination & Seedling

2-4 weeks

Tiny seedlings with narrow seed leaves; very slow initial growth. Take 2-3 weeks to emerge.

Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Provide bright light immediately after emergence. Avoid fungal issues with good air circulation. Do not cover seeds.

Vegetative Growth

4-6 weeks

Compact rosette of narrow, gray-green leaves forming. Plant builds root system and foliage mass.

Reduce watering frequency as root system develops. Begin hardening off seedlings for transplant. Pinch growing tips once to encourage bushier form if desired (though 'Princess' is naturally compact).

Pre-flowering & Budset

2-3 weeks

Visible flower buds form at stem tips; leaves remain compact and aromatic.

Continue minimal watering. Reduce fertilizer—too much nitrogen delays flowering. Ensure full sun exposure. Support stems if needed in windy locations.

Flowering & Bloom

8-12 weeks (June-September depending on region)

Dense purple flower spikes emerge; dense, fragrant blooms attract pollinators. Peak ornamental stage.

Deadhead spent flower clusters to encourage continuous blooming and extend season. Water only during extreme drought. Avoid overhead watering to prevent mildew.

Post-bloom & Dormancy

3-5 months

Flowers fade; seed heads may develop. Foliage remains evergreen and ornamental.

In fall, trim plant lightly (do not cut into old bare wood) to maintain shape. In frost-prone areas, allow some seed head structure to remain for winter interest and frost protection. Reduce water in winter.

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Catmint Salvia Thyme Russian Sage Santolina Rosemary Alliums Coreopsis Blanket flower Dusty Miller

Avoid planting near:

Mint (spreads aggressively) Water-loving plants like hostas or ferns Heavy feeders that need rich, moist soil

Common Pests

Handpick beetles in spring. Use neem oil or insecticidal soap if infestation is severe. Maintain plant vigor.
Spray with water to dislodge; increase humidity around plant. Use sulfur dust or miticide in extreme cases.
Yellow sticky traps. Neem oil or insecticidal soap. Remove heavily infested leaves.
Improve drainage and air circulation. Remove affected stems. Avoid overhead watering. Do not overfertilize.
Ensure excellent drainage; use raised beds in wet climates. Do not overwater. Replace soil if root rot occurs; plant in new location.

Uses

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Culinary flavoring & tea

Culinary

Lavender flowers add a floral, slightly sweet and peppery note to baked goods, desserts, honey, sugar, and herbal teas. Culinary-grade dried flowers can flavor vinegars, oils, and savory dishes like roasted meats. [source]

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Relaxation & sleep support

Medicinal

Lavender is traditionally used as a calming herbal remedy. Linalool and linalyl acetate compounds in the essential oil are associated with relaxation and may support sleep quality when used as tea, aromatherapy, or sachets. [source]

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Natural fragrance & moth deterrent

Household

Dried lavender flowers and buds release a pleasant, long-lasting fragrance and are placed in closets, drawers, and pillow covers to freshen linens and naturally repel moths and other fabric pests. [source]

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Dried flower arrangements & potpourri

Craft

The vibrant purple flower spikes dry beautifully and hold color and scent for months, making them ideal for dried arrangements, wreaths, potpourri, and decorative crafts. [source]

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Pollinator support

Wildlife

Lavender flowers are highly attractive to honeybees, bumblebees, butterflies, and other pollinators, making it an excellent nectar source for supporting beneficial insects and native pollinator populations. [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 flowers for fresh use, drying, or crafts in early morning after dew dries, when buds are fully formed but still fresh. Cut stems 6-8 inches long just below flower spike using clean shears. For drying, hang bundles upside-down in a warm, dark, well-ventilated space for 2-3 weeks. Pinch or deadhead regularly to extend blooming season. Cut foliage is fragrant year-round.

Fun Facts

🌱 The 'Princess' cultivar was specifically bred for compact habit and early flowering, making it one of the few lavender varieties that reliably blooms in the first year from seed.
🌱 Lavender has been cultivated for over 2,500 years and was used by ancient Romans for bathing, perfume, and medicinal purposes; the name comes from the Latin 'lavare,' meaning 'to wash.'
🌱 Lavender essential oil is one of the most commercially important essential oils globally, used in perfumery, cosmetics, aromatherapy, and household products worth hundreds of millions of dollars annually.

Gardening Terms

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

Cultivar Deadhead Full Sun Hardening Off Raised Bed Transplant

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