Product Field NotesLavender Plants
Downy Lavender: A Soft-Leaved, Wide-Spreading Collector's Species
Save
Downy lavender is Lavandula pubescens, named for the fine, soft hairs on its leaves and stems; pubescens means downy. It belongs to the Pterostoechas group, with divided foliage and slender violet-blue spikes, and it has an unusually wide habit. Records describe mature plants at about 21 inches tall but up to 38 inches across.
It is one of the more unusual lavenders a collector can add, and one that rewards a big pot and a sunny spot.
Downy lavender at a glance
| Trait | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Botanical name | Lavandula pubescens |
| Group | Pterostoechas |
| Flower color | Violet-blue |
| Foliage | Downy, softly hairy |
| Size | About 21 inches tall and up to 38 inches wide when mature |
| Bloom | Records list a winter window, mid to late December, in its warm native range; long season |
| Fragrance | Moderate; resinous and herbal with camphor notes |
| Identity | Commercial species stock; traits can vary |
About that December bloom
Our records list downy lavender's bloom window in mid to late December, which reflects its growth in warm, frost-free climates where winter is the mild, growing season. In a Michigan home, you set the calendar. A potted plant outdoors in summer will grow and may flower in the warm months, and a plant moved indoors to strong light may surprise you with off-season spikes. Either way, it has a long season once it gets going, with moderate rebloom.
Since this is species stock, expect some variation in vigor and timing between plants.
Growing a downy-leaved lavender
Soft, hairy leaves are designed for dry air and sun. They can hold moisture in humid weather, so the main job is keeping the foliage and roots on the dry side.
- Container: wide rather than deep, 14 inches or more, to match its spreading habit.
- Mix: very gritty; add extra perlite or fine gravel.
- Watering: water at the soil line, never over the leaves, and only when the top inch or two is dry.
- Spacing: give it open air on a patio, not crowded among other pots.
- Grooming: remove spent spikes and any yellowed lower leaves promptly.
Winter in the north
No hardiness range is listed, and Pterostoechas lavenders are frost-tender. Bring it in before frost to a cool, bright room or a sunroom. Strong light matters more than warmth. Water sparingly, and if the air is very dry indoors it will be fine; it prefers that to damp. Return it outdoors after your last frost. The Frost Date Estimator helps you time it.
Uses
Downy lavender is rated good for fresh and dried flowers and great for pollinators. Its soft foliage is lovely in small arrangements where people can touch it, and spikes dry well hung in a dark, airy place. The fragrance is resinous and herbal. Culinary use is not recommended.
It comes as a 3-inch plug, a 4-inch pot or a 1-gallon pot. See the product page for current sizes and availability.
Frequently asked questions
Why does it bloom in December?
That timing comes from its warm native climate. In a northern home, light and temperature decide when it flowers.
Is it the same as woolly lavender?
No. Woolly lavender, L. lanata, is a different species in the English lavender section. Both have hairy leaves, but they grow and bloom differently.
Can I grow it outdoors all year?
Not in Michigan. It is frost-tender and needs to come inside for winter.
Share how it went in your field