Portuguese lavender is a rare, appealing type of lavender.
Portuguese lavender facts
Name – Lavandula latifolia Family – Lamiaceae Type – sub-shrub (herbaceous)
Exposure – full sun Soil – ordinary, very well-drained Height – 1 to 2+ feet (30 to 80 cm)
Foliage: evergreen – Blooming: summer, early fall (weather-dependent)
Its essential oil is distinct from that of other species. This makes it a prized fragrant plant in many gardens.
Care is rather straightforward. As long as you keep its feet dry between waterings, it will grace you with many flowers!
Note: There is another lavender species, Lavandula stoechas, which has a cultivar named ‘Portuguese Giant’. It is different from the species presented in this page, which goes by the name Lavandula latifolia in botanical circles.
How to plant Portuguese lavender
Portuguese lavender does best in the ground, but it still is great for growing in pots.
If your Portuguese lavender has grown ugly or leggy, you can rejuvenate the shrub by clearing out about half of the branches.
Pruning Portuguese lavender for its flowers
Lavender essential oil producers harvest Portugal lavender for its oil.
They harvest the flowers scapes when the plant is in full bloom.
This is usually early on in summer.
Although they use specialized machinery for this, all you need is a pair of long shears or even simple garden scissors!
Gather a handful of flower stems and snip them off.
If harvesting for oil, cut the stems short, just under the flower.
If harvesting for dried flower bouquets or to weave lavender wands, cut each stem as long as possible.
Growing Portugal lavender in pots
Best type of pots for Portugal lavender
Pots are a treat for Portuguese lavender. Since this species of lavender is rather small, it does well in pots and containers.
Terra cotta pots are better at keeping the plant cool in summer as long as it’s well-watered. Terra cotta pots are thicker and make changes in temperature and water level more gradual.
Plastic pots are better at keeping water in but tend to warm up on hot, sunny days. This delays water stress, but when it hits, it hits harder.
Whatever the type of pot, make sure drainage is perfect and remember to water often.
Watering is crucial for all potted plants. However, for Portuguese lavender, make sure the soil dries up almost entirely before watering again. This will help prevent root rot.
Usually you’ll only have to water every 8 to 10 days. In winter, only water every fortnight. In summer, every week is perfect.