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You can grow lavender in Colorado successfully if you pick the right varieties and give them the conditions they crave.
Colorado’s climate is actually pretty friendly to lavender once you understand a few key things about this fragrant herb.
The state’s dry air, abundant sunshine, and well-draining soils align nicely with what lavender needs to thrive.
If you’ve been wondering how to grow lavender in Colorado, you’re in the right place.
In this post, we’ll walk through the best lavender varieties for Colorado, how to plant and care for them, and tips to keep them healthy through every season.
Let’s dig in.
How to Grow Lavender in Colorado: The Basics
Growing lavender in Colorado comes down to three essentials: sun, drainage, and the right variety.
Get those right, and your lavender will reward you with fragrant blooms year after year.
1. Choose the Right Lavender Variety for Colorado
Not all lavender is created equal, and some types handle Colorado’s cold winters and alkaline soil better than others.
English lavender varieties like ‘Hidcote’ and ‘Munstead’ are top picks because they’re hardy down to Zone 5 and tolerate cold snaps.
French and Spanish lavenders are less cold-hardy and may struggle in colder parts of Colorado, so stick with English types if you’re in the mountains or higher elevations.
If you’re in a warmer pocket like Grand Junction or parts of the Front Range, you might get away with hybrid varieties like ‘Provence’ or ‘Phenomenal,’ which offer great heat tolerance.
2. Pick a Spot with Full Sun and Great Drainage
Lavender loves sun, so choose a spot that gets at least six to eight hours of direct sunlight daily.
Drainage matters just as much because lavender hates wet feet, and Colorado’s clay-heavy soils can hold too much moisture.
Amend your soil with coarse sand, pea gravel, or small rocks to improve drainage before planting.
Raised beds or mounds work wonders if your ground is heavy clay, and they help keep roots dry during wet springs.
3. Plant at the Right Time
The best time to plant lavender in Colorado is in late spring or early summer, after the last frost has passed.
This gives roots time to establish before winter arrives.
If you’re planting in fall, do it at least six weeks before the first frost so plants can settle in.
Space plants about 18 to 24 inches apart to allow good airflow, which helps prevent disease.
Caring for Lavender in Colorado’s Climate
Once your lavender is in the ground, a little care goes a long way in Colorado’s unique climate.
1. Water Wisely
Lavender is drought-tolerant once established, so you don’t need to water it constantly.
In fact, overwatering is the number one killer of lavender in Colorado.
Water deeply but infrequently, letting the soil dry out between waterings.
Newly planted lavender needs more regular watering for the first few weeks, but back off once it’s established.
2. Mulch with Gravel, Not Wood Chips
Mulch helps retain moisture and suppress weeds, but lavender prefers gravel or rock mulch over organic options like wood chips.
Gravel reflects heat, keeps foliage dry, and mimics the rocky Mediterranean soils lavender evolved in.
Wood mulch holds moisture against the stems, which can lead to rot, especially during Colorado’s wet spring snows.
3. Prune Regularly
Pruning keeps lavender from getting leggy and encourages bushier growth.
Lightly prune in early spring to remove dead or damaged stems from winter.
After blooming, shear back about one-third of the plant to tidy it up, but never cut into the woody base as it may not regrow.
4. Protect from Harsh Winter Winds
Colorado’s winter winds and freeze-thaw cycles can stress lavender.
A layer of gravel around the base helps insulate roots, and you can wrap plants with burlap in exposed areas.
Avoid heavy mulch or blankets that trap moisture, as that can do more harm than good.
Common Problems When Growing Lavender in Colorado
Even with the best care, lavender in Colorado can run into a few issues.
1. Root Rot from Poor Drainage
If your lavender wilts despite moist soil, root rot is likely the culprit.
Fix it by improving drainage, planting in raised beds, or amending soil with gravel.
Once root rot sets in, it’s tough to reverse, so prevention is key.
2. Powdery Mildew in Humid Spots
Colorado is generally dry, but overcrowded plants or poor airflow can lead to powdery mildew.
Space plants well and prune to keep air moving through the foliage.
3. Winter Dieback
Cold snaps and wet snow can damage lavender, especially in colder zones.
Choose hardy varieties, plant in well-drained spots, and avoid watering late in the season to help plants harden off.
So, Can You Grow Lavender in Colorado?
You can grow lavender in Colorado, and with the right variety, sunlight, and drainage, it can thrive in your garden.
Lavender’s love for dry air and sunshine makes it a natural fit for much of the state, as long as you avoid soggy soil and pick cold-hardy types.
Plant in full sun, water sparingly, prune regularly, and protect plants through winter.
With a little patience, you’ll be rewarded with fragrant blooms that bring beauty and calm to your Colorado landscape.