Use & Care NotesLavender Plants
Grosso Fat Spike Lavender: A Wide Lavandin with Plump Spikes
Save
Grosso Fat Spike lavender is a Grosso-type lavandin, and by the numbers it is one of the widest lavenders we offer: about 3 feet tall and up to 5 feet across at maturity. It forms a bushy, mounding shrub of silver-green foliage, with purple flowers that open in late June and peak in mid-July.
The fragrance is classic lavandin, strong and floral-herbal, with a noticeable camphor freshness. It rates excellent for oil, commercial fields, bouquets and drying.
Grosso Fat Spike at a glance
| Trait | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Botanical name | Lavandula × intermedia 'Grosso Fat Spike' |
| Parentage | L. angustifolia × L. latifolia |
| Flower color | Purple |
| Foliage | Silver-green |
| Mature size | About 36 inches tall and up to 60 inches wide |
| Bloom | Starts late June, peaks mid-July, single flush |
| Hardiness | USDA zones 5a to 8b |
| Fragrance | Strong floral-herbal with camphor freshness |
Planning for a 5-foot plant
The most common mistake with big lavandins is planting them like English lavender. Grosso Fat Spike can spread to about 5 feet, so in a home garden one plant can fill a corner, anchor the end of a bed or stand alone as a fragrant shrub. In rows, give each plant 4 to 5 feet and leave walking room between rows. Crowded lavandins trap humidity, shade each other out and are harder to harvest.
The My Garden planner can help you check spacing before you plant.
Soil and planting
Full sun and fast drainage are non-negotiable. On clay, build raised rows or wide berms. Set the crown at soil level and keep mulch off the stems. Water deeply at planting and through the first summer when the top few inches dry out; after that, water needs are low.
It needs a winter chill to flower well. As a hybrid, plan around its listed hardiness, zones 5a to 8b.
Harvest and uses
Big plants mean big harvests. Cut stems for dried bundles when the buds are fully colored and the first few flowers open; for oil and the strongest-scented sachet buds, growers often let more of each spike open first. Hang bundles in a dark, airy place. Its fresh and dried ratings are both excellent. Lavandin rates good for culinary use, but its camphor note means most cooks prefer English lavender for sweets.
Pruning a wide mound
- After harvest, shear the entire plant into a rounded dome, keeping several inches of green above the wood.
- Prune every year; skipping years lets big lavandins split open in the center.
- Finish by early fall and tidy winter tips in spring once growth resumes.
See the Pruning Calendar for timing.
Plant sizes
Offered as 3-inch plugs, 4-inch pots and 1-gallon pots. With a plant this large, even plugs fill space quickly once established. See the product page for current sizes and availability.
Frequently asked questions
How is it different from regular Grosso?
Both are Grosso-type lavandins. Grosso Fat Spike is listed with a wider mature spread, up to about 60 inches, and silver-green foliage. Our separate Grosso listing describes a plant about 3 feet wide.
Is it good for pollinators?
Excellent. A plant this size in full bloom is a busy place for bees.
Can I grow it in a pot?
Not long term. Its mature size makes it a plant for the ground.
Share how it went in your field