Garden Care Guide

Spanish Lavender Care

Lavandula stoechas

An aromatic, drought-tolerant plant typical of Mediterranean maquis. Full sun and well-drained, poor soils are essential for abundant flowering and good health; it should be pruned after the main flowering is over to keep the plant compact.

Hardy · -15 °C / 5 °F

Monthly care calendar

Timings are for a temperate Northern Hemisphere climate. In warmer areas tasks start earlier, in colder areas later; in the Southern Hemisphere shift them by six months.

January
  • Watering: Not required, natural rainfall is sufficient.
  • Plant protection: If symptoms spread and treatment is needed, consult a licensed plant-protection supplier or an agronomist. Plant protection products are regulated; follow local rules.
  • Pests & diseases: Make sure water does not collect in the root zone. Softening and darkening at the root collar are signs of root rot.
  • Frost risk: Not needed. It is frost-hardy.
February
  • Pruning: Avoid pruning unless really necessary. The best time for hard pruning is after flowering.
  • Plant protection: If symptoms spread and treatment is needed, consult a licensed plant-protection supplier or an agronomist. Plant protection products are regulated; follow local rules.
  • General care: Clear weeds.
  • Pests & diseases: Make sure water does not collect in the root zone. Softening and darkening at the root collar are signs of root rot.
March
  • Watering: Water a newly planted specimen more often than established plants during its first year, as its root system is still shallow.
  • Fertilizing: Not required, fertilizing may cause the plant to become weak and spindly.
  • General care: Good time for planting and transplanting.
April
  • Watering: Water a newly planted specimen more often than established plants during its first year, as its root system is still shallow.
  • Pruning: You can encourage new flowers by cutting faded flowers (deadheading).
  • General care: Suitable period for planting and transplanting. Flowering begins.
May
  • Watering: Once a week (7-10 L per plant).
  • Pruning: Continue removing spent flowers.
  • General care: Flowering continues. Drainage is vital for this plant. In heavy soil that holds water, plant it on a raised mound or berm 20-30 cm high, so the root collar stays above the surrounding soil level.
  • Pests & diseases: Avoid overwatering to prevent signs of root rot (yellowing, wilting).
June
  • Watering: In a long drought, water deeply once a month.
  • Pruning: After the main flowering wave ends, cut back about one-third of the green shoots, including the flower stalks, to keep the plant in shape and prevent it from becoming woody. Never prune back into old, woody wood.
  • General care: Flowering continues.
July
  • Watering: In midsummer, deep watering every 15-20 days is enough. Established plants (over 2 years old) do not need watering in most years. Water the area around the roots to a depth of 15-20 cm.
  • General care: Flowering continues.
August
  • Watering: In midsummer, deep watering every 15-20 days is enough. Established plants (over 2 years old) do not need watering in most years. Water the area around the roots to a depth of 15-20 cm.
  • Pruning: Prune as soon as flowering ends. Next year's flower buds form over the summer; late pruning reduces flowering. Do not prune back into leafless, woody old branches; they will not produce new shoots from dry wood. Light shortening every year keeps the plant from sprawling.
  • General care: The plant is in dormancy during the summer heat.
September
  • Watering: In a long drought, water deeply once a month.
October
  • Watering: Water a newly planted specimen more often than established plants during its first year, as its root system is still shallow.
  • General care: Good time for planting and transplanting.
November
  • Plant protection: If symptoms spread and treatment is needed, consult a licensed plant-protection supplier or an agronomist. Plant protection products are regulated; follow local rules.
  • General care: In winter rains, make sure water does not pool in the root zone; for this plant, drainage is more critical than irrigation.
  • Pests & diseases: Make sure water does not collect in the root zone. Softening and darkening at the root collar are signs of root rot.
December
  • Plant protection: If symptoms spread and treatment is needed, consult a licensed plant-protection supplier or an agronomist. Plant protection products are regulated; follow local rules.
  • General care: Evergreen leaves continue to lose water in winter. Water thoroughly once before the soil freezes.
  • Pests & diseases: Make sure water does not collect in the root zone. Softening and darkening at the root collar are signs of root rot.

The care advice on this page is general and for information only; it is not professional advice. Plant age, soil and your garden’s microclimate can change the outcome. Plant protection products are mentioned only as general information; they are regulated, and the choice, dose and timing must be decided by a qualified professional under local rules. Consult a landscape architect or agronomist before applying.

Want reminders for every plant in your garden? Our garden-care app with monthly task lists and frost alerts is currently available in Turkish; the English version is on the way.

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