Product Field NotesLavender Plants
Big Time White Lavender: Large White Spikes on a Compact Plant
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Big Time White lavender earns the first half of its name with its flowers, not its size. The plant itself stays compact, about 14 inches tall and wide, but it carries large white flower spikes over silver-gray to gray-green foliage. It is documented as vigorous, with a compact, strong, dense upright habit and resistance to heat and drought.
It is an English lavender, Lavandula angustifolia 'ZANLACUB', sold under the trade name Big Time White. It is rated for USDA zones 5a to 9b and has the sweet, soft, low-camphor scent typical of English lavender.
Big Time White at a glance
| Trait | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Botanical name | Lavandula angustifolia 'ZANLACUB' |
| Also known as | Big Time White |
| Flower color | White, on large spikes |
| Foliage | Silver-gray to gray-green, maturing greener |
| Size | About 14 inches tall and 14 inches wide |
| Bloom | Starts late May, peaks early June, moderate rebloom |
| Hardiness | USDA zones 5a to 9b |
| Fragrance | Strong, sweet and floral with low camphor |
A white lavender for hot, dry spots
Documented heat and drought resistance make Big Time White a good choice for the hard places in a yard: the strip along a south-facing driveway, a sunny bed against reflective siding, the edge of a patio that bakes in July or a container that sometimes gets forgotten. Once its roots are established, it is happy to get by on little water. It still needs fast drainage, though; drought tolerance is not the same as tolerance for wet feet.
Where the white shows best
- With purple lavender: a few white plants among purple ones make both colors pop.
- Front of the border: its compact size keeps it in scale at the edge.
- Containers: one plant fills a 10- to 12-inch pot; white looks crisp in dark or blue pots.
- Evening seating areas: white flowers stay visible after sunset.
Find partners that share its sun and drainage needs with the Companion Plant Planner.
Planting and care
Plant in full sun and soil that drains within minutes after rain. Space plants about 14 to 16 inches apart for a continuous edge. Water deeply at planting and through the first season whenever the top few inches dry out; after that, water needs are low.
Bloom starts in late May and peaks in early June. After the main flush, trim spent spikes and lightly shape the mound for a moderate second round. Make your last trim by late summer so new growth hardens off. In spring, tidy winter-browned tips once new growth starts. English lavender needs winter chill to bloom well, and dry roots carry it through cold.
Using white lavender
Large white spikes are pretty in small bouquets and two-tone bundles with purple lavender. When drying, hang bunches in the dark to keep the flowers as pale as possible. Its essential oil suitability is rated excellent and its culinary rating great; white buds look lovely in lavender sugar, but use only food-grown buds and start small. Pollinators rate it great, and deer tend to leave it alone.
Choosing a plant size
It is offered as 3-inch plugs, 4-inch pots and 1-gallon pots. See the product page for current sizes and availability, and use Notify Me there if a size is not ready.
Frequently asked questions
Is Big Time White the same as ZANLACUB?
Yes. ZANLACUB is the cultivar name, and Big Time White is the trade name it is sold under.
How big does it get?
About 14 inches tall and wide, in a compact, dense, upright mound.
Does it handle heat?
It is documented for heat and drought resistance once established, as long as the soil drains well.
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