Lavender loves the sun and needs lots of it to grow and flourish. Provide your lavender with at least 8 hours a day of full sun. Don’t be afraid to allow even more sunlight, especially if you live in a temperate climate. In very hot climates, 6 hours a day of full sun should be enough. Afternoon shade may even be appropriate in hot summer climates, but make sure the soil is well-drained regardless of the temperature. The color, size, and fragrance of lavender flowers may all be negatively affected if full sun is not provided.
How Many Hours of Sun Does Lavender Need?
Lavender should have 6–8 hours of full sun per day to thrive and flourish to its fullest capacity. Aim for 8 hours a day unless you live in a climate that is particularly hot. If this is the case, your lavender should do well provided it gets at least 6 hours of full sun each day.
- Lavender needs at least 6 hours of full sun daily in very hot climates.
- 8 hours of sun is ideal in most climates.
- Some afternoon shade is appropriate in certain cases.
- If lavender is thriving and blooms are full, do not cut down on sun exposure.
You may need to protect your lavender from the sun during the afternoon hours if you live in a very hot climate. However, if your lavender is exposed to bright sunlight all day but appears to be thriving and blooms are rich and full, don’t cut down on sun exposure. If the plant looks as if it is yellowing or wilting, immediately provide afternoon shade.
Can Lavender Grow in Indirect Sunlight?
English lavender and French lavender are two varieties that can grow in indirect sunlight, but most lavender will not thrive without full sun. Even English and French lavender varieties may not do as well without direct sunlight.
- English lavender and French lavender can be grown in indirect sun.
- Most lavender needs at least 6 hours of direct sunlight.
- If growing lavender in partial sun, make sure plants receive at least 3 hours of daily sun.
If you are planning to grow your lavender in indirect sunlight, aim for at least 3 hours of full sun each day. If this is all you can provide, try to make sure they are exposed to it during the hottest part of the day. Sometimes, this can help make up for the lack of additional hours. Make sure the soil is not too moist: the amount of sun exposure to plants affects the soil in which they are planted as well. For lavender, it’s best to have slightly dry soil instead of moist soil.
Can Lavender Grow in Shade?
In almost all cases, lavender won’t grow in shade very well. Although the plant itself may not immediately die, it may not produce its famous purple flowers. If it does flower in the shade, lavender buds will be smaller than normal or drop prematurely, often before the season is over. Additionally, root rot can easily take hold in lavender that is planted in the shade.
- Lavender does not thrive in shade and roots may rot.
- The plant may live for a while, but blooms will be lackluster.
- Petals and flower buds may be smaller than normal and may fall off prematurely.
- Lavender plants may die completely if deprived of sunlight.
Lavender may begin growing in shade but fail to reach full growth even by summer’s end. Sometimes, lavender plants may even wilt and die during the first few months if deprived of adequate sunshine. To avoid these problems, don’t plant your lavender in shade.
What Happens if Lavender Doesn’t Get Enough Sun?
Lavender may still grow and thrive if it gets at least 3 hours of sun per day. However, its aroma may be affected and blooms may fail to reach full capacity. If significantly deprived of sun, root rot is also a concern. This is particularly true if the soil is not well-drained. In humid climates, provide more sun to encourage the soil to dry more thoroughly.
- Lavender may have smaller blooms if deprived of sun.
- Without enough sunlight, lavender will grow less fragrant flowers.
- Root rot is a concern for lavender grown in shade.
- If a strong plant with a heavy fragrance is desired, keep your lavender in full sun.
If a minimum of 3 hours a day of full sun is provided, the lavender may not die, as is the case when sun-deprived. However, if you want a heavy aroma and strong plants, place your lavender in a location with bright sun and little or no shade. Lavender grown in cooler climates needs extra sun, so provide more sun hours in regions with shorter, cooler summers.
Can Lavender Get Too Much Sun?
It is possible for lavender to get too much sun, but this is usually only in hot climates where it’s exposed to more than 6 hours of full sun per day. To be on the safe side, if temperatures are particularly hot where you live, provide some afternoon shade for your lavender.
- Lavender can get too much sun.
- Usually, lavender is only at risk of sun scorch in very hot climates.
- Cut full sun back to 6 hours a day if lavender is wilting.
- Brown spots on leaves may also indicate overexposure to sun.
If you see brown spots on the leaves, this may be a sign of sun scorch. Lavender may also wilt if they are overexposed to the sun. Either of these conditions indicates you should offer your plants some shade. Shade is often needed most in late summer when consistently high temperatures can put stress on your lavender plants.
How Much Sun Does Lavender Require?
Lavender prefers plenty of sunshine and must have sunlight in abundance to flourish the way it should. Your goal should be to give your lavender plants at least 8 hours of full sun each day. 6 hours of sun may be adequate if you live in a hot climate.
- Lavender must have full sun exposure with 8 hours of direct sunlight per-day.
- Afternoon shade is appropriate only in very hot climates.
- 6 hours of sun a day is enough during very high temperatures.
- Lavender should have well-drained soil regardless of sun exposure.
- The fragrance, size, and color of the blooms may be lackluster if lavender is deprived of full sun.
Keep your lavender healthy and prevent fungal disease, such as root rot, by planting this fragrant herb in sunny parts of your garden. A bright location with soil that dries quickly after watering is ideal for growing lavender than reach up to several feet tall.