French lavender (Lavandula stoechas)
Care, watering, light and tips for French lavender on Floravia.
Quick facts
- Family: Lamiaceae
- Difficulty: Easy to care for
- Watering: every 7 days
- Light: Full sun
- Temperature: 5–35 °C
- Toxicity: Toxic to pets
About French lavender
Lavandula stoechas, commonly known as French Lavender or Butterfly Lavender, is an aromatic perennial shrub native to the Mediterranean region, renowned for its distinctive purple flowers topped with vibrant, butterfly-wing-like bracts. Its compact habit and extended blooming period make it ideal for borders, rockeries, or pots, bringing a Mediterranean touch and a pleasant fragrance to any garden or terrace.
Native range
Mediterranean region (mainly Spain, Portugal, France, Italy, Greece, Turkey, and North Africa)
Care tips
It requires full sun for optimal flowering and healthy development. It prefers well-drained soils, even poor or sandy ones, and is drought-tolerant once established, so watering should be moderate, allowing the substrate to dry out completely between waterings. A common mistake is overwatering, which can lead to root rot; ensuring good drainage is crucial.
How to save a dying French lavender
- Warning signs
- Limp leaves, drooping stems, no flowering, leaf spots. Extreme drought or prolonged waterlogging are critical.
- First aid
- Check drainage. If dry, water thoroughly. If waterlogged, repot with fresh, dry soil. Prune dead branches.
- What kills it
- Overwatering and lack of direct sun. Lavender hates wet feet and needs plenty of light to thrive.
- Can it be saved?
- Yes, if you act quickly. Check roots; if not completely rotted, there's hope. Lots of light and good drainage!