Will Lavender Grow in SW Florida?

Plant Selection

• Selecting the right type of lavender is crucial for gardeners who live in the warm, humid conditions of southwestern Florida, which falls into U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zone 10. Most cultivars are suited for the cooler climates of USDA zones 5 through 9, with a low tolerance for humidity. A few varieties of lavender are more tolerant of heat and humidity and may be able to withstand the Florida climate. Some examples may include jagged lavender (Lavandula pinnata var. buchii), a variety that blends well in tropical gardens. Jagged lavender is hardy in USDA zones 9 through 11 and grows roughly 3 to 4 feet tall. Another option is Spanish lavender (Lavandula stoechas subsp. pedunculata), which is hardy in USDA zones 8 through 11.

Site Selection

• While choosing the right planting spot is important for every plant, it's particularly important for growing lavender in challenging conditions. Choose a planting area with full-sun exposure and well-drained, slightly alkaline soil with a pH between 6.5 and 7.5. Lavender plants can tolerate drought, but they don't tolerate wet conditions. Growing the plants in raised beds or containers is another option for gardeners who don't have ideal planting conditions in their garden. Planting lavender in containers has the added benefit of keeping the plants cooler by roughly 15 degrees Fahrenheit. Space plants about 3 feet apart to allow optimal air circulation between plants and give the plant space to grow.

Combatting Humidity

• Improving soil drainage and enhancing moisture evaporation can help combat the humid conditions in southwestern Florida. To help the soil drain more efficiently, add roughly two handfuls of builder’s sand or 1-inch round stones to the bottom of the planting hole. Gardeners can also help encourage faster moisture evaporation from the ground around the plant by using sand or pebbles in place of mulch. Using white, or light-colored, sand or mulch is particularly helpful since it reflects sunlight onto the plants, helping them dry off faster after rain or dewy conditions.

Plant Care

• Lavender plants need minimal maintenance, although removing spent flowers and pruning the plant by cutting it back by about one-third every year helps keep the stems strong while improving air circulation. Water newly planted lavender plants regularly, adding about 1 inch of water weekly while allowing the soil to dry out between waterings. Once the plant becomes established, water it during periods of drought. Fertilize the plants every year in fall by adding a handful of a mixture composed of equal parts of compost, bonemeal and lime, adding it around the plant's base before it rains.

Considerations

• Although there aren't any major pests that affect lavender, there are several diseases that may affect the it, particularly in humid climates. Shab is a fungal disease that causes black spots on the stem, eventually turning the stems brown and killing the plant. Remove and burn any affected plants to avoid contaminating other plants. Avoid root rot, another fungal infection that can kill lavender plants, by watering the plants infrequently.