Lavender is a popular flowering plant known for its fragrant blooms and essential oils. However, one question often arises among gardeners is whether lavender can grow in the shade. While lavender typically prefers full sun exposure, some shade-tolerant varieties can still thrive in less direct sunlight.
When planting lavender, the soil type and moisture level are crucial factors. Lavender needs well-draining soil and doesn’t do well in wet soils or those prone to root rot. The soil pH should be between 6.5 and 7.5 for optimal growth.
Some varieties of lavender, like Spanish lavender, fern leaf lavender, and French lavender lace lavender, are known for their shade tolerance and can survive in partial sun or dappled shade conditions. However, it’s important to note that while lavender can grow in the shade, sacrificing flower production may be necessary.
Overall, if you live in a colder climate or have a garden with limited sunlight, growing lavender in shade is possible with the right soil conditions and shade-tolerant variety selection. By following these tips, you can still enjoy the beauty and benefits of lavender even in less sunny environments. (Read When Is It Too Late To Harvest Lavender)
English Lavender: Sun or Shade?
English lavender is a popular herb in the garden because of its fragrant aroma, beautiful flowers, and low maintenance requirements. However, many gardeners are unsure if lavender will grow in shade or if it needs full sunlight to thrive. The answer is that English lavender prefers full sunlight and will not grow well in shade.
Lavender requires at least six hours of direct sunlight per day to produce vibrant blooms and maintain its overall health. When grown in shady conditions, lavender becomes leggy with weak stems and small flowers.
In our guide, you can learn more about whether will Lavender grow in shade. By the end, you’ll better understand does lavender grow in shade or does Lavender need full sun. You’ll be able to offer your plants the ideal growing conditions to get more flowers and more lavender blooms.
Varieties of Lavender That Grow Better in Shade Than Others
While lavender plants are known for their love of full sun, some lavender plants tolerate partial or even complete shade. One lavender plant is Lavandin, which has a higher shade tolerance and can grow in cooler temperatures than other types of lavender.
Another lavender plant to thrive in partial shade is French lavender, which has narrower leaves than the traditional English or lavender plant and produces fragrant, purple flowers. Even though some varieties of lavender grow in partial shade (Spanish Lavender – Lavandula stoechas), it’s important to note that all plants need sunlight to survive.
Full shade may not be suitable for growing lavender as they require at least six hours of direct or indirect sunlight daily. If you have an area with full shade and still want to plant something fragrant like lavender, consider other plants that do well without as much sunlight or light as ferns, Hostas, or astilbes.
- French lace Lavender (Lavandula multifida)
- Canary Island lavender (Lavandula canariensis)
- Fern leaf lavender (Lavandula multifida)
- Goodwin Creek Grey (hybrid lavender variant)
Note: All the above are French Lavender (Lavandula dentata) variants and less shade tolerant.
However, Spanish lavender grow in the shade quite happily. (Read
Best Trees For Shade In Arizona)
How Many Hours Of Sunlight Does Lavender Need A Day?
Lavender need plenty of sunlight to thrive. Typically, lavender plants require 6-8 hours of direct sun exposure each day. This means they should be planted in a sunny spot to receive direct sunlight for most of the day.
If you’re growing lavender indoors or in a greenhouse, ensure it gets enough light by supplementing it with artificial light sources. While lavender does need full sun to grow properly, it can still tolerate some shade.
However, too much shade can lead to leggy or floppy plants that lack the characteristic compact habit and strong stems that we associate with healthy lavender plants. If you grow lavender in a less-than-ideal sunny spot and poor sun exposure, or if lavender need to compete with taller plants nearby for sunlight, ensure to provide additional support like stakes or cages to keep the stems upright.
How Much Sunlight is Enough?
The answer can be tricky regarding how much sunlight is enough to plant lavender. Generally, lavender thrives in full sunlight, which requires at least six hours of sun exposure per day. However, there are certain varieties to tolerate partial shade or filtered sunlight as well.
Choosing a variety well-suited to those conditions is crucial if you plan to plant lavender in an area with less than optimal sun exposure. Look for cultivars known for their shade and drought tolerance, like ‘Hidcote Giant’ or ‘Munstead.’ Remember that while these varieties may survive in shadier areas, they may not grow quite as vigorously or produce as many blooms as they would in full sunlight.
Sunlight Catalyzes Faster Growth
Lavender is a popular herb known for its beautiful purple blooms and sweet fragrance. If you are thinking of growing lavender, one question that may be on your mind is whether it will only grow in the shade or does lavender grow in shade too. While lavender prefers full sun, it can still grow in partial shade with some limitations.
Lavender requires at least six hours of sunlight daily to bloom and thrive. However, some afternoon shade can help protect the lavender plant from heat stress if you live in an area with hot summers.
During the growing season, it’s crucial to monitor the light your lavender receives and adjust accordingly. If you plan to grow lavender in an area with limited sunlight, consider planting it near a reflective surface like a white wall or paving stones. (Learn How Long Does It Take For Wheat To Grow)
If You’re Harvesting Lavender, You’ll Want Full Sun
Lavender is a sun-loving plant that thrives in full sunlight. When grown under ideal conditions, lavender produces abundant fragrant blooms perfect for harvesting. However, many gardeners wonder whether lavender can survive and grow in the shade.
The answer is no; lavender cannot thrive or grow well in the shade. This is because lavender requires at least six to eight hours of direct sunlight daily to produce healthy foliage and abundant blooms. Without sufficient sunlight, the plant becomes weak and spindly, with fewer flowers and less vibrant foliage.
Lavender Needs Full Sun For Fragrant Blooms
While lavender needs full sun for its fragrant blooms, it can still grow in partial shade. Morning sun is vital as it helps dry any dew on the leaves and prevent mildew from forming. However, if you live in a hot climate, afternoon shade might benefit the plant by providing some relief from intense heat.
Some varieties of lavender are more tolerant of shade than others. English lavenders like Munstead and Hidcote are known to do well in partial shade but may not bloom as profusely as when grown under full sun. French lavenders like Phenomenal or Grosso need at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight for their best growth and fragrance.
Will Lavender Flower in Shade?
Lavender is an aromatic, flowering shrub that has long been popular for its beauty, fragrance, and medicinal properties. But can it grow in the shade? While English lavender prefers sunny locations with well-drained soil, there are some shade-tolerant varieties to thrive in such conditions.
By understanding the needs of these particular lavender varieties, gardeners can enjoy the benefits of this lovely plant even when growing it in shady areas. Most plants require a certain number of hours of sunlight to grow and thrive, but this rule has a few exceptions. Lavender, or Lavandula multifida, is one such plant to tolerate some shade.
However, it’s important to note that lavender still needs plenty of hours of sunlight to flower and produce its signature fragrance. Lavender grows well with at least six hours of sunlight each day to flower correctly. The plant may become leggy and produce fewer blooms if it doesn’t receive enough light.
If you live in an area with particularly intense sun or high temperatures during the summer months, your lavender may benefit from some afternoon shade.
Growth Of Lavender Is Dependent On Full Sun
Lavenders, popular for their unique fragrance and medicinal properties, require much sunlight to grow. The growth of the lavender plant depends entirely on the full sun as it aids in flower production and photosynthesis, which is essential for producing the energy required by the plant to thrive. When exposed to partial shade or less than six hours of direct sunlight daily, lavenders sacrifice flowers and focus on vegetative growth.
Growing lavender in shady areas can be challenging, affecting its growth and development. Lavender grown in partial shade tends to have fewer blooms, elongated stems with fewer leaves, and a weaker aroma.
However, other lavender varieties, like Lady Lavender, can tolerate some shade while still producing beautiful purple flowers.
Ideal Lavender Growing Conditions
Lavender is a popular plant known for its soothing fragrance and delicate blooms. It is relatively easy to grow, but it prefers certain conditions. To thrive, lavender requires plenty of sunlight and well-draining soil. It seems flowers can also tolerate dry conditions once established.
Despite its preference for full sun, some shade-tolerant lavender varieties are available. One such variety is Lavandula dentata, also known as French lavender. This species has been shown to tolerate partial shade and can even be grown indoors on bright windowsills.
However, it should be noted that while some varieties of lavender may tolerate shade better than others, they will not necessarily thrive in these conditions. For the best results, it is still recommended to provide lavender with at least six hours of direct sunlight per day if possible. (Learn How To Grow Cucumbers Vertically)
Shade Increases Chances Of Lavender Pathogens
Powdery mildew is a common disease that affects English lavender plants, among others. It can quickly spread and cause significant damage if not addressed immediately. Lavender plants need enough sunlight of at least 6-8 hours of sun daily to produce healthy blooms and foliage.
If you’re considering planting lavender in shaded areas, you consider other plants tolerant of shade varieties like Spanish lavender survive indoors. Another option is to choose a cultivar with higher drought tolerance. Some cultivars that withstand dry conditions include French Lace Lavender (Lavandula) ‘Phenomenal’ and Lavandula angustifolia ‘Munstead.’
These varieties perform well in hot climates and require less water than other lavenders, making them ideal for gardeners who live in regions with high temperatures and low rainfall. Root rot is a common problem among indoor lavender plants due to overwatering, poor drainage, and waterlogged soil. These issues can also occur in outdoor English lavender plants with excessive rainfall or irrigation.
To prevent root rot, it uses well-draining soil that allows excess water to drain away from the roots, so lavender grows healthy. Verticillium is a soil-borne fungal disease that affects over 400 different plant species, and N. Lavender plants are particularly susceptible to this disease if grown in moist conditions.
If you’re looking to grow lavender, it’s essential to ensure the plants receive enough sunlight. While some types of lavender may tolerate partial shade, most need at least six hours of unfiltered sunlight for optimal growth and development.
Alfalfa Mosaic Virus is a severe threat to the health and growth of plants. The virus can cause symptoms such as yellowing, wilting, and curling of English lavender leaves.
