Growing lavender in containers is a popular choice, especially for those with limited garden space, poor native soil, or in climates where lavender isn't winter-hardy. While both English and French lavender can be grown in pots, their inherent differences in size, hardiness, and growth habit make them better suited for different container situations.
Here's a breakdown of the differences between English and French lavender when grown in containers:
English Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) in Containers
Key Characteristics in Containers:
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Size: Generally more compact and well-behaved for container growing. Many cultivars mature at 1.5 to 2.5 feet tall and wide, fitting nicely into medium-to-large pots. Look for "dwarf" or "compact" varieties like 'Munstead' or 'Hidcote' for smaller containers.
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Cold Hardiness: This is a major advantage for container growing in colder climates (USDA Zones 4-7). While potted plants are always less cold-hardy than those in the ground (roots are more exposed), English lavender can often survive winters outdoors in containers in Zone 7 and even Zone 6 with good drainage and some protection (like moving the pot against a house, wrapping it, or mulching the top). In colder zones (4-5), you'll likely need to move the container into an unheated garage or shed for winter dormancy.
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Watering: Like all lavenders, it hates "wet feet." In containers, excellent drainage is paramount. You'll need to water more frequently than in the ground, as containers dry out faster, but still allow the soil to dry out between waterings.
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Pruning: Responds well to pruning to maintain a compact, rounded shape in a pot. Prune after the main bloom and again lightly in early spring.
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Bloom Time: Typically blooms in late spring to early summer, with a possible smaller second flush.
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Scent: Maintains its sweet, classic lavender fragrance, which is lovely to have on a patio or near an entryway.
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Container Material: Terra cotta pots are ideal because their porous nature helps wick away excess moisture, preventing root rot.
Ideal for Containers if:
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You want that classic, sweet lavender scent for culinary use or aromatherapy.
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You live in a colder climate and want to overwinter your lavender outdoors (with proper care/protection) or move it indoors to an unheated space.
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You prefer a more compact, tidy plant.
French Lavender (Lavandula dentata) in Containers
Key Characteristics in Containers:
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Size: Can be larger and more sprawling than English lavender (typically 2-3 feet tall and wide), so it generally requires a larger container to accommodate its growth. Some cultivars may be more compact.
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Cold Hardiness: This is the biggest challenge for French lavender in containers in most regions. It's only hardy to USDA Zones 8-10. If you live in a colder climate, you must bring French lavender indoors for winter (to a cool, bright, unheated area if possible, or treat it as an annual). It will not survive freezing temperatures in a pot outdoors.
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Watering: Similar to English lavender, it requires excellent drainage and dislikes soggy soil. Due to its potentially larger size and longer bloom time, it might need more frequent watering in hot weather compared to a smaller English lavender, but still allow the soil to dry out.
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Pruning: Benefits from regular pruning to prevent it from becoming too leggy or woody in a container, especially given its naturally looser growth habit. Its longer blooming season means more deadheading.
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Bloom Time: Offers a much longer blooming season, often continuously from spring through fall, which is a big benefit for container display.
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Scent: Its herbaceous, slightly rosemary-like scent is still pleasant but not typically used for culinary purposes. It still provides a lovely aroma on a patio.
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Container Material: As with English lavender, terra cotta is excellent for drainage.
General Container Growing Tips for Both:
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Pot Size: Choose a pot that is at least 12-16 inches in diameter for a single mature plant, and wider if you want multiple plants. The specific size depends on the mature size of the chosen cultivar.
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Drainage: Absolutely essential! Use a pot with ample drainage holes. Consider using terra cotta over plastic, as it allows soil to dry out faster.
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Soil: Use a very well-draining potting mix. A good mix might include regular potting soil amended with perlite, coarse sand, or grit (e.g., a cactus/succulent mix or a mix with added perlite/sand). Lavender prefers slightly alkaline to neutral pH. Avoid heavy, rich, or water-retentive soils.
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Sunlight: Both require full sun (at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day) to thrive and flower well in containers.
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Watering: Allow the top 1-2 inches of soil to dry out completely before watering again. Overwatering is the most common killer of potted lavender.
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Fertilizing: Lavender prefers lean soil. Fertilize sparingly, if at all. A light, slow-release fertilizer in spring is usually sufficient. Too much nitrogen will result in more foliage and fewer flowers.
In summary, for containers, English lavender is generally easier for beginners due to its compact size and superior cold hardiness, especially if you want to try overwintering it outdoors. French lavender is an excellent choice for a long-blooming ornamental in containers, but requires more attention to its cold sensitivity and often needs winter protection in colder zones.
