How to Grow Tempo Lavender
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Tempo Lavender
Lavandula angustifolia 'Tempo'
herbTempo Lavender is a compact, early-flowering cultivar of English lavender bred for quick blooming and uniform growth. It produces fragrant purple-blue flower spikes on dense, mounding plants ideal for containers and garden beds. This variety is popular in commercial floristry and home gardening for its reliable performance and extended blooming season.
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Example Tempo Lavender timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Tempo 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 Tempo Lavender
Around Jun 16≈ 60 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Tempo Lavender dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 5-9, with best performance in zones 6-8
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Seedling
2-3 weeksTiny true leaves emerge slowly; plants remain low and compact with minimal growth the first few weeks
Keep soil barely moist, not wet. Provide bright light. Avoid damping-off by ensuring excellent air circulation. Germination takes 14-21 days.
Vegetative Growth
4-6 weeksPlant develops branching stems and fine, needle-like foliage; forms a mounding shape; growth is steady but moderate
Maintain bright light and good air circulation. Water only when soil is dry. Begin fertilizing lightly with balanced or low-nitrogen formula every 3-4 weeks if in containers.
Pre-flowering/Budding
2-3 weeksFlower stems elongate visibly; small flower buds form at stem tips; plant height and spread increase noticeably
Reduce nitrogen fertilization to encourage flowering over foliage. Ensure consistent (but minimal) moisture during this transition. Improve air circulation to prevent fungal issues.
Flowering
4-8 weeks (can repeat if deadheaded)Dense spikes of fragrant purple-blue flowers open sequentially from bottom to top; blooms last several weeks and attract pollinators
Deadhead spent flowers to encourage continued blooming and bushier growth. Water during extended dry periods. Harvest flowers for drying when fully open but not yet faded.
Post-bloom/Dormancy
3-4 months (varies by climate)Flowering slows in hot summer or enters dormancy as days shorten in fall; foliage may gray slightly; plant becomes woody
Reduce watering significantly. In spring, prune back by 1/3 to 1/2 to maintain compact shape and promote new growth. Avoid pruning after late August in colder zones.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Increase humidity; spray with water; use miticide if severe. More common indoors and in hot, dry conditions.
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Spray with strong water jet or insecticidal soap; encourage beneficial insects like ladybugs.
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Yellow sticky traps; neem oil; reflective mulches. More problematic in containers.
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Prevent with excellent drainage and reduced watering; remove infected plants; ensure good air circulation. Fungicide treatment often ineffective.
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Improve air flow; reduce overhead watering; remove affected plant parts. Often associated with high humidity and poor drainage.
Uses
Culinary Flavoring & Tea
CulinaryLavender flowers add floral, slightly sweet notes to baked goods, honey, sugar, and herbal teas. Tempo Lavender's high essential oil content makes it excellent for infusing flavor into syrups and beverages. [source]
Relaxation & Sleep Support
MedicinalLavender is traditionally used to promote calm and improve sleep quality. The volatile oils in Tempo Lavender flowers contain linalool and linalyl acetate, compounds associated with relaxation and stress relief in aromatherapy. [source]
Aromatherapy & Fragrance
HouseholdDried flowers are used in sachets, potpourri, and essential oil diffusers. Tempo Lavender's strong fragrance and uniform blooms make it ideal for commercial and home fragrance products. [source]
Floral Arrangements & Crafts
CraftTempo Lavender's compact growth, early maturity, and uniform flower spikes make it a favorite for fresh and dried floral designs, wreaths, and craft projects. Its commercial-grade appearance suits both retail and DIY applications. [source]
Pollinator Support
WildlifeLavender flowers are highly attractive to bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, making Tempo Lavender valuable for supporting pollinator populations in gardens and agricultural landscapes. [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 when blooms are fully open but still vibrant purple, typically mid-morning after dew dries. Harvest by cutting stems 1/3 down from the flower head. For drying, harvest at peak bloom and hang-dry in bundles in a warm, airy location for 2-3 weeks. Can also harvest foliage anytime for fresh use. Never remove more than 1/3 of the plant at once.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Tempo Lavender was bred specifically for rapid flowering and uniform blooms, making it one of the first commercially viable lavender cultivars for florists requiring quick, consistent production.
- 🌱 Lavender flowers remain fragrant for months when dried and can scent a room for over a year if stored properly in a sealed container—their essential oils are highly stable and don't evaporate quickly.
- 🌱 Lavender has been used in human cultures for over 2,500 years; the ancient Romans used it to scent their baths, which is how it earned the name 'lavender' from the Latin 'lavare' meaning 'to wash.'
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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