Lavender [Lavandula angustifolia]

Lavender is an ancient perennial tea, incense, fragrance and medicinal plant that originated in Persia, today's Iran. Thousands of years ago the herb was used by the ancient Egyptians in their religious ceremonies, today it is mainly used in cosmetics and as a fragrance. It grows wild as a low shrub on stony coastal regions of the Mediterranean. The Romans used to use the herb from Provence to wash bodies and clothes. This species produces a particularly large amount of rich oil and produces beautiful blue-violet flowers that exude the typical lavender scent and are frequently visited by insects. This species is edible and has a calming effect as a tea.

General information
Plant family: Lamiaceae
Life cycle: Perennial
Days to harvest: 100 days
Plant height approx.: 60 cm
Root type: Deep rooter
Nutrient requirements: Weak eater
Water requirements: Low
Winter hardiness: Up to -15 °C
Location: Sunny
Soil: Permeable, dry, loamy, stony, sandy, humus

pH value: 6.5 to 8

Sowing and planting information
Germ type: Light germinator
Sowing depth: 0 cm
Optimal germination temperature: 15-20 °C
Germination time: 7-40 days
Plant and row spacing: 30x30 cm

Optimal mixed culture: 
Unfavorable mixed culture: 

Subtropic climate (Mediterranean) (e. g. B. Portugal, Spain, Italy)
We recommend pre-cultivation in small pots from February to September.

Moderate climate (e. g. B. Germany, Switzerland, Poland)
We recommend pre-cultivation in small pots from March to May.

General
Germination occurs naturally irregularly over a period of 6 weeks. Cool temperatures produce better germination results, but are not absolutely necessary. When pre-cultivating, sow the seeds in small pots and let the seedlings grow to the first visible lavender leaves. Then plant the pregrown plants from the pots directly into the open field. The seedlings are planted in the bed from the 2nd pair of leaves after the cotyledons.
Lavender prefers a sunny and warm location with a permeable, humus-rich, stony and sandy loam soil. Prepare the soil with seasoned animal manure. Avoid waterlogging.

Additional tips
In order to quickly obtain a fine, crumbly and permeable soil, we recommend additional incorporation of biochar and primary rock powder.

Type of propagation
It spreads via seeds or cuttings.

Plant care
Regular watering causes faster growth. Beds prepared with animal manure and planting in mixed culture replace additional fertilizer.

Germination ability of seeds: 2-3 years

Other Names
Botanical names: Lavandula angustifolia
English names: Lavender
German names: Echter Lavendel, Waschkraut
Portuguese names: Lavanda
Spanish names: Lavanda
French names: Lavande