Lavender is a fragrant herb that conjures images of sunny Mediterranean hillsides. With its silvery foliage and aromatic purple blooms, this classic cottage garden plant seems to thrive in full sun. But what if your garden only gets partial shade? Can lavender grow in partial shade?
The answer is a qualified yes. Some types of lavender can grow in partial shade with some changes to the soil, watering, and other care. Even though lavender plants do better in full sun, you can still enjoy their beauty and scent in dappled light.
This complete guide will show you how to grow lavender successfully in some shade. If your lavender isn’t getting enough light, follow these tips to make it grow well.
Choosing the Right Lavender Varieties for Partial Shade
Different types of lavender can handle different amounts of shade in different ways. To improve your chances of success, pick varieties that do better in shade.
Certain French and Spanish lavender varieties tend to be more shade-tolerant than traditional English lavenders. Try growing these varieties in partial shade
- French lavender (Lavandula stoechas)
- Spanish lavender (Lavandula stoechas spp.)
- Fernleaf lavender (Lavandula multifida)
- Lavandin (Lavandula x intermedia) – ‘Grosso’ and ‘Provence’ cultivars
Among English lavenders, ‘Munstead’ and ‘Hidcote’ have the best shade tolerance
Even with shade-friendly varieties, aim for at least 4-6 hours of direct sunlight per day. Morning sun is especially important. Careful planting and pruning can help maximize light exposure.
Preparing the Right Soil for Lavender in the Shade
One of the hardest things about growing lavender in the shade is keeping the soil from getting too wet. Without enough sun exposure, soil dries out more slowly.
Lavender hates wet feet, so excellent drainage is critical. To prepare the soil:
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Loosen the top 8-12 inches of soil. Break up compacted layers.
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Mix in coarse sand or fine gravel. Aim for up to 50% sand or gravel content.
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Incorporate organic compost to improve drainage and aeration.
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Consider planting in raised beds or berms for improved drainage.
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Add a 2-4 inch layer of gravel mulch to boost drainage. Refresh annually.
Lavender prefers slightly alkaline soil with a pH between 6.7-7.3. Have your soil tested and amend as needed.
Providing Consistent Moisture for Lavender in Shade
Lavender may need a bit more water in partial shade to account for slower soil drying. But take care not to overdo it.
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Water deeply 2-3 times per week during the first year. After establishment, water 1 inch per week.
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Always allow the soil to dry out slightly between waterings.
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Use drip irrigation or soaker hoses to target the soil. Avoid wetting the foliage.
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Drought-tolerant varieties like Spanish lavender are more resilient to underwatering.
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Add mulch to help retain soil moisture. But leave space near the crown.
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Container lavenders may need more frequent watering. Let pots dry out halfway before re-wetting.
Giving Lavender Added Nutrients in Low-Light Conditions
While lavender is adapted to poor soil, partial shade can slow growth. Give your plants a boost by:
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Applying slow-release organic fertilizer in early spring. Make sure soil is moist first.
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Side-dressing with compost or worm castings mid-season. Keep amendments away from the crown.
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Foliar feeding monthly with liquid seaweed or fish emulsion. Spray early in the day.
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Using mycorrhizal fungi or compost tea to support root health.
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Adding bone meal or rock phosphate to encourage blooming.
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Testing soil every 2-3 years and amending as needed.
Maximizing Sun Exposure for Lavender in the Shade
While lavender can tolerate partial shade, more sun is always better. Use these tips to maximize sunlight:
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Conduct a sunlight audit to identify the sunniest spots. Track light over several days.
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Prune back encroaching trees and shrubs to open up light.
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Choose east or west-facing locations over north-facing ones.
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Plant on the south side of structures, walls, or bushes to capture reflection.
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Give lavender plants wide spacing and prune interior growth to allow light penetration.
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Use light-colored gravel or mulch to reflect sunlight up to the plants.
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Move container plants around to sunnier spots. Bring indoors in winter if needed.
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Use mirrors, white-painted walls, sails, or other techniques to reflect and focus light.
Supporting Air Circulation Around Lavender
Stagnant air can lead to fungus and disease in shade. Promote air movement by:
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Giving lavender at least 24 inches of spacing all around. More for larger varieties.
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Using fans or well-placed vents to keep air lightly moving.
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Removing suckers and interior growth via pruning to open up air flow.
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Avoiding planting in dense groups of other plants or bushes.
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Increasing sunlight exposure to help dry foliage.
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Promptly removing dead or diseased material.
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Allowing good airflow in winter storage areas.
Caring for Lavender Year-Round in Partial Shade
Tailor your seasonal care to support lavender health:
Spring
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Prune lightly in early spring, removing winter damage.
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Weed and refresh mulch, leaving space around crowns.
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Apply slow-release organic fertilizer.
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Begin deep watering if rainfall is lacking.
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Monitor for signs of disease and treat promptly.
Summer
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Prune after flowering to shape plants and improve air flow.
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Water 1-2 inches per week depending on rainfall.
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Watch for drought stress and adjust watering as needed.
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Weed and replenish mulch as needed.
Fall
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Prune lightly in early fall to remove dead stems.
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Apply compost or worm castings around plants.
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Reduce watering frequency as growth slows.
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Prepare winter protection in exposed areas after first frost.
Winter
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Heavily mulch around plants to protect roots from hard freezes.
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Continue light watering during warm spells to prevent desiccation.
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In very cold climates, cover plants with burlap or plant blankets.
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Bring container plants into protected areas like garages or basements.
With attention to soil, moisture, and air flow, lavender can cope surprisingly well in partial shade conditions. While not ideal, you can still enjoy the decorative foliage, familiar fragrance, and summertime blooms of lavender even without full sun exposure. Adjust your care, choose shade-friendly varieties, and maximize sunlight to keep your lavender thriving happily in the shade.
Sunshine Creates More Fragrant Blooms
In order for it to produce abundant fragrant flowers, plant in an area with plenty of sunshine.
Most of us aren’t growing lavender just for its leafy foliage. We want those lovely, sweet-smelling flowers to flower in our gardens and homes! Flowers are known for being happy, so it makes sense that they need as much sun as they can get to produce lots of fragrant blooms.
The main compounds that make it smell so delicious are called linanools an lavandulols. There are also trace amounts of eucaloyptol and camphor.
However, the production of these essential oils in their blooms directly depends on sunlight exposure. When it doesn’t get enough sun, the plant doesn’t have the energy to make more oil inside the blossoms.
Lavandin varieties are known for the highest essential oil content. In particular, Lavandula x intermedia ‘Grosso’, ‘Phenomenol’, and ‘Provence’ are the most fragrant of all cultivars.
Sunlight Catalyzes Faster Growth
Essential for photosynthesis, plenty of sunlight is needed lavender to thrive.
Sunlight is the fuel for lavender’s energy production. Like all plants, this herb uses photosynthesis to create the sugars it needs to thrive. The chloroplasts located inside leaves take in light and transform it into plant food.
This process of photosynthesis requires sunlight, carbon dioxide, water, and minerals to yield glucose and oxygen.
Sunlight is the main limiting factor of this process. Without enough light hitting the chloroplasts of leaves, the plant cannot perform necessary photosynthetic reactions.
Lavender is particularly vulnerable to a lack of light because its leaves tend to be more grey or silver-toned, which means it has fewer chloroplasts than brighter green plants. Interestingly, this popular shrub evolved silvery foliage to help reflect solar radiation and keep it cool on the craggy, intense mountaintops of the mountainous Mediterranean coast.
But when it’s brought into other regions with less heat, more humidity, or lower elevations, it must adapt to the different conditions while still meeting its photosynthetic needs.
- Stunted growth
- Reduced vigor
- Little to no flower production
- Less volatile oil produciton
- Leggy growth
- Weak stems
5 Tips to Grow Perfect Lavender
FAQ
Where should I not plant lavender?
It will not grow well in shade and shaded soils are likely to stay moist too long after rain or watering for lavender’s sensitive roots. They rot quickly in soil that stays wet for a long time. This makes them very different from most other plants in the garden. Your soil must be fast draining and fast drying to prevent rot.
Is 5 hours of sun enough for lavender?
Ensure Sunlight: Lavender requires at least 6 hours of sunshine per day. You should put your container somewhere sunny and out of the wind, since shade can slow down both growth and scent.
What happens if lavender doesn’t get enough sun?
They may also develop yellow or pale leaves, and may stop producing flowers.
What happens to lavender in shade?
If you plant your lavender in shade, then you’re just not going to get the kind of flower growth you would by planting it somewhere that it receives at least 6-8 hours of sunlight per day.
Can lavender grow in partial shade?
If you have to grow lavender in some shade, here are some tips to make it do well: plants grown in full sun will grow faster, even if you give them extra care. But you can help mitigate problems with proper maintenance. Lavender’s sun requirements can vary slightly depending on your climate: Aim for morning sun only if possible.
Does lavender grow in full sun?
To summarize, lavender excels in full sunlight and often struggles in partial shade conditions. Seek out the sunniest part of your landscape and choose varieties labeled “full sun” for success growing lavender.
Can Lavandula grow in shade?
Most species of lavender will grow in partial shade, but spike lavender ( Lavandula latifolia , zones 6-9) is an exception. It should be planted in a location with full sun exposure and well-drained soil as it may not grow at all if planted in the shade.
What types of lavender are shade tolerant?
These somewhat shade-tolerant varieties of lavender include Spanish lavender ( Lavandula stoechas , zones 7-9), French lace lavender ( Lavandula multifida , zones 8-10) and French lavender ( Lavandula dentata , zones 8-9).
Can Spanish lavender grow in shade?
Spanish lavender tolerates partial shade. If you absolutely must plant lavender in a partially shaded part of the garden, certain lavender varieties are more willing to tolerate the lack of sunshine. Spanish Lavender, French Lace Lavender, and French Lavender may be slightly more shade tolerant than other types. Some notable varieties include:
Can lavender grow in a shady spot?
But it has highly scented flowers and, like all species of lavender, a shady spot is best for drying the flowers once they are cut from the plant. Lavender usually grows and blooms best in sunny conditions, but there are some shade-tolerant varieties of lavender, including English lavender and French lavender.