Lavender in Zone 9A — Florida

Lavender is worth growing in your Florida garden for its fragrance, culinary uses, and calming properties. Imagine strolling through your yard, the air filled with that classic Lavender scent – a real treat during our warmer months. Plus, it's a beautiful addition to any landscape, offering a touch of the Mediterranean right here in our subtropical climate.

Growing Lavender in Florida does come with its challenges, mainly our high humidity and wet summers. But with careful timing and attention to soil drainage, you can absolutely enjoy this plant. Remember, our Florida gardening calendar is different, and with our long, 327-day growing season, we can work around the trickier times of year.

Starting Lavender from seed indoors is possible, but it can be slow and a bit finicky. If you're up for the challenge, begin in late November through late December, about 10 weeks before you plan to transplant. Use seed trays with a well-draining seed-starting mix and provide consistent warmth and light.

Bottom watering is key to prevent damping-off. Place the tray in a shallow dish of water and allow the soil to absorb moisture from the bottom. Since our spring here is reversed, starting seeds indoors gives Lavender a head start before the heat of our summers really kicks in.

Honestly, for more reliable results, especially if you're new to Lavender, consider buying established starter plants from a local nursery. They'll already be acclimated and ready to thrive in your Florida garden.

Transplant your Lavender seedlings outdoors in mid February through early March. Before planting, harden them off by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions for about a week. This helps them adjust to the sunlight and temperatures.

Space the plants 12-18 inches apart to allow for good air circulation. Keep an eye on the weather forecast around transplant time. While Lavender is frost-hardy, a sudden cold snap can still stress young plants. For best results, buy established starter plants instead of dealing with seeds.

Watering Lavender in Florida requires a delicate balance because our humidity and heavy summer rains can quickly lead to problems. Lavender thrives on neglect, so underwatering is generally better than overwatering. During our cooler, drier months (fall through spring), water only when the top 2 inches of soil feel dry to the touch – use the "finger test."

In general, aim for about 1/2 inch of water per week, if there is no rain. During our wet summers, you might not need to water at all. Water at the base of the plant rather than overhead to minimize humidity around the foliage. Too much moisture, especially on the leaves, encourages fungal diseases.

Signs of underwatering include wilting or drooping leaves. Overwatering symptoms are yellowing leaves and mushy stems. A light layer of pine straw mulch can help retain some moisture in our sandy soil while still allowing for good drainage. Remember that drainage is king when it comes to successful lavender growing in Florida!

Pruning Lavender is essential for maintaining its shape and promoting healthy growth. The main type of pruning you'll do is deadheading, which involves removing spent flower heads. This encourages the plant to produce more blooms.

Prune your Lavender after each flowering period, typically cutting back by about one-third. Shape the plant into a nice mound as you prune. It's important to avoid cutting into old wood, as Lavender doesn't usually regrow from those areas. As our first frost approaches around late December, give your Lavender a final light trim to tidy it up for the winter months.

You can expect your first Lavender harvest in mid May through late June here in Florida, about 90 days after transplanting. The best time to harvest is in the morning, after the dew has dried but before the sun gets too hot. Look for flower stems where the buds are showing color but haven't fully opened yet.

Cut the stems as long as possible, leaving at least a few inches of growth on the plant. Harvesting encourages continuous production, so the more you harvest, the more flowers you'll get. To dry your Lavender, bundle the stems together and hang them upside down in a cool, dark, and well-ventilated place.

As the end of the season approaches around late December, harvest any remaining flower stems before the first frost. This will help keep the plant tidy and prevent any potential rot from setting in over the winter.

Here are three common problems you might encounter growing Lavender in Florida:

Root Rot from Overwatering

• What it looks like: Yellowing leaves, mushy stems, and a general decline in the plant's health.
• What causes it: Our high humidity and frequent rains, combined with poorly draining soil, create the perfect environment for root rot. The roots essentially suffocate and start to decay.
• How to fix/prevent it: Ensure your Lavender is planted in well-draining soil. Amend heavy clay soils with plenty of organic matter and consider planting in raised beds or containers. Water sparingly, only when the top 2 inches of soil are dry.

Shab Disease

• What it looks like: Stunted growth, yellowing leaves, and a general lack of vigor. Affected plants may appear weak and spindly.
• What causes it: This fungal disease thrives in humid conditions and can be spread by splashing water or contaminated tools.
• How to fix/prevent it: Improve air circulation around your plants by spacing them adequately and pruning regularly. Avoid overhead watering. If you spot signs of Shab disease, remove and destroy the affected plant material.

Phytophthora

• What it looks like: Rapid wilting, browning leaves, and dark lesions on the stems near the soil line. The plant may collapse and die quickly.
• What causes it: Phytophthora is a soilborne pathogen that attacks the roots and lower stems, particularly in wet or waterlogged conditions.
• How to fix/prevent it: Ensure excellent soil drainage. Avoid overwatering and consider using a fungicide specifically labeled for Phytophthora if you suspect an infection. Remove and destroy severely affected plants.

Florida Specific Challenges: Our hot, humid summers and wet-summer rainfall make growing Lavender in Florida a bit more challenging than in drier climates. The key is to provide excellent drainage, avoid overwatering, and choose varieties that are more tolerant of humidity. Regular monitoring for pests and diseases is also essential to keep your Lavender healthy and thriving.

Good companion plants for Lavender in Florida include rosemary, thyme, and sage. These herbs share similar growing requirements – full sun and well-drained soil – making them ideal neighbors. Rosemary, in particular, is known to deter some common pests that might bother Lavender. Roses also make great companions, as they enjoy similar conditions and the Lavender can help repel aphids.

Avoid planting mint near Lavender. Mint is aggressive and can quickly take over, crowding out your Lavender and stealing valuable nutrients. Plus, mint prefers moist soil, which is the opposite of what Lavender needs to thrive in our humid climate.