When Does Lavender Bloom?

This post will go over a few lavender varieties and when you can expect them to bloom. You will need to provide proper lavender care for them to ensure they thrive at the right time.

If you want to enjoy your lavender plants throughout the growing season, from spring through autumn, you may want to choose varieties that seem to continuously bloom. You will find many Spanish lavender varieties that seem to always be flowering, allow you to enjoy their elegance and their scent throughout the year.

Several early lavenders will also bloom multiple times so long as you harvest them on time. Here are nine different varieties that you can enjoy depending on your environment and when you want your lavender to bloom.

Early Lavender

Most lavender cultivars that bloom in early spring are from the French lavender variety that does well in hardiness zones 8-9 (though there are also Spanish and English cultivars that also do well). These lavenders can bloom as early as May or June depending on your general environment.

If kept indoors, you may be able to recreate an early spring environment for them to bloom out of season as well. Regardless of where you live in the world, the following lavenders would be the first to bloom in your area compared to other cultivars grown in the same environment.

1. Lavenite Petite (Lavandula angustifolia)

   This plant is a unique variety that hails from New Zealand. The violet flowers are very fragrant and are perfect for long-term storage after drying. They do well in full sun in hardiness zones 5-9 and can grow up to 2 feet tall. The plant will generally bloom in May in the northern hemisphere and if harvested quickly, could produce two additional crops before winter.

2. Anouk (Lavandula stoechas)

   This French lavender cultivar has dark purple heads with pinkish-purple bracts. Once it begins to bloom, it seems to continually bloom from May and into the late summer, allowing those who harvest lavender to have a nearly continuous season to collect the stalks of lavender they so greatly desire. The plant does well in hardiness zones 6-10 in full sun and can grow up to 2 feet tall.

3. Ballerina (Lavandula stoechas)

   The flower heads of the Ballerina lavender appears to be delicate in their beauty. The tiny purple blooms wrap around the head seemingly in perfect lines with white toppers that eventually fade into pink or purple. The cultivar does well in hardiness zones 8-9 and will begin to bloom in May. If harvested quickly, it could bloom up to 2 additional times through late summer. The plant typically grows to a height between 1-2” tall.

Late Spring to Early Summer Lavenders

Many English lavender varieties will first bloom in lat to early summer, starting in June for those who live in the Northern Hemisphere. Most of these plants will stop blooming as soon as the heat increases, so you do need to have your sheers ready to go when you see them first beginning to bloom. That being said, you may be able to get 2 flowering seasons per year out of these plants if you live in a milder climate.

1. Rosea (Lavandula angustifolia)

   The Rosea lavender plant flowers in bunches of pale pink flowers. This plant does well in hardiness zones 5 -9 and will typically only bloom once unless you harvest the plant soon enough. Most will typically see the blooms in June or July. The flowers are vary fragrant, making them a popular choice for gardeners who enjoy lavender as part of their home-life, either for culinary purposes or in scenting their home overall.

2. Thumbelina Leigh (Lavandula angustifolia)

   The flowers of the Thumbelina Leigh seem to bunch into the shapes of thimbles. Smaller than many lavenders, this English lavender variety is very popular as indoor plants or for those with less space in their gardens. It will generally bloom in June or July and may bloom again later in the year if the blooms are harvested soon after budding. It does well in hardiness zones 5 – 9 and will typically grow to between 10-12 inches tall.

3. Miss Katherine (Lavandula angustifolia)

   The pink and white buds on the heads of this English lavender variety create a very delicate and feminine look. The foliage spreads and rises high on long stems that can grow up between 2 and 3 feet tall. It will typically bloom in June in the right environment. The plant does well in hardiness zones 5-8 as long as they receive full sun. The plant is known for its aromatic flowers and foliage that brighten and shine when the sun comes out. The plant will bloom once per year unless you harvest it fast enough in the right environment.

Mid to Late Summer Lavenders

If you are looking for lavender that will bloom in July or August, you will typically want to choose a plant from either the English lavender or the hybrid lavender varieties. Both are known for having hardy plants that can bloom even in the summer heat and may continue to bloom through the end of the season. The following are three beautiful varieties that may work for you if you’re looking for a later blooming plant.

1. Nana Alba (Lavandula angustifolia)

   If you want a white lavender, consider growing the Nana alba variety. This plant does well in hardiness zones 5 – 9 when placed in full sun. It will typically bloom in late June or July. The petals of the flowers are white, creating delicate heads that would look perfect as wedding centerpieces. The plant typically grows between 10-12 inches tall, but the flowering stems often reach heights of 18 inches.

2. Provence (Lavandula x intermedia)

   Possibly the most well-known lavender variety, Provence is perfect for humid environments. The blooms create a very strong fragrance and the plant is often used to create essential oils. While the plant may produce blooms earlier in the year, they typically reach their full potential in mid-late summer. It grows well in hardiness zones 5 – 8 when placed in full sun. They can grow up to 3 feet tall, making them popular ledge plants.

3. Hidcote Giant (Lavandula x intermedia)

   If you enjoy the flower of the lavender plant, you may love gazing at the Hidcote Giant. This variety has large flower heads that will measure anywhere from 2-4 inches long. With their long stems and multiple blooms, you can create an elegant bouquet that will really showcase the flower. The plant grows well in hardiness zones 5 – 8 when put into full sun. The plant can grow quite large, up to 3 feet in height and 3 – 4 feet wide.