Use & Care NotesLavender Plants
Snowman Lavender: White Spanish Lavender for Bright Pots
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Snowman lavender is a white Spanish lavender, which is less common than you might think. It grows bushy and compact, about 17.7 inches tall and wide, with gray-green leaves and white flower heads topped with white flags. Like other Spanish lavenders it blooms early and reblooms well, and its foliage carries a bold, resinous scent.
No carrot nose required, and it will not melt in July.
Snowman at a glance
| Trait | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Botanical name | Lavandula stoechas 'Snowman' |
| Flower color | White heads and bracts |
| Foliage | Gray-green |
| Habit | Bushy and compact |
| Mature size | About 17.7 inches tall and 17.7 inches wide |
| Bloom | Starts early May, peaks late May, high rebloom |
| Hardiness | USDA zones 7a to 9b |
| Fragrance | Strong; bold, resinous and herbal |
Designing with white Spanish lavender
White flowers lift a planting. Snowman brightens a dark-colored pot, glows on a shady-edged patio in the evening and makes purple Spanish lavenders look even richer beside it. Some combinations to try:
- Purple and white pair: one Snowman and one dark purple Spanish lavender in matching pots by a door.
- Cool container: with silver foliage plants and blue trailing flowers.
- Event and wedding pots: crisp white accents that bloom early in the season.
- Warm-zone borders: in zones 7 to 9, a low, round edge along a sunny path.
Container care
Choose a 12-inch or larger pot with drainage holes and fill it with a gritty, fast-draining mix. Give it full sun. Water thoroughly, then let the top inch or two dry before the next drink, and never leave the pot standing in a full saucer. A light feeding in spring is plenty.
White flowers show their age as they brown, so deadheading is especially worthwhile. Snip faded heads back to a leaf pair, and with its high rebloom rating, new white flags follow. After the late-May peak, a light all-over trim keeps it bushy.
Winter
Spanish lavenders are generally less cold-hardy than English types. Below zone 7, move Snowman indoors before a hard frost to a bright, cool, frost-free spot, and water sparingly through winter. Move it back outside after frost danger has passed. The Frost Date Estimator helps you plan the dates.
Planting it in the ground in warm zones
In zones 7 to 9, Snowman can live outdoors year round. Choose a spot in full sun with sandy or gravelly soil, or plant on a slope or raised bed where water runs off quickly. Space plants about 18 inches apart, and keep mulch away from the base. A white Spanish lavender edging a sunny path looks crisp from spring onward.
Uses
Snowman is rated good as a cut flower; short white stems look sweet in a bud vase. Its dried rating is fair, since the bracts fade and curl. It is rated great for pollinators. Culinary use is not recommended, and its oil rating is weak, so enjoy it for looks and scent.
Frequently asked questions
Is Snowman pure white?
Its flower color is listed as white. Older heads fade toward cream or tan, so deadhead regularly for the cleanest look.
Can it stay outside in zone 6?
It is rated for zones 7a to 9b, so in zone 6 it is safest to bring it indoors for winter.
Can I cook with it?
No. Spanish lavender is best grown as an ornamental. Choose an English lavender for culinary use.
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