How To Plant A Lavender Tree

You can plant a lavender tree by selecting a vigorous lavender variety, training a single strong stem upward, and regularly removing side shoots to create a clear trunk.
 
It sounds fancy, but a lavender tree is really just a standard lavender plant shaped over time.
 
If you’ve ever wondered how to plant a lavender tree, the good news is that it’s simpler than it looks.
 
You just need the right lavender, the right spot, and a little patience.
 
In this post, we’ll walk through how to plant a lavender tree step by step, from choosing your plant to caring for it long-term.
 
Let’s dig in.
 

How to Plant a Lavender Tree: Step by Step

Planting a lavender tree starts with picking the right plant and the right location.
 
Here’s how to do it properly so your lavender tree thrives from day one.
 

1. Choose the Right Lavender Variety

Not every lavender works well as a tree.
 
The best choices for growing a lavender tree are English lavender varieties like ‘Hidcote’ or ‘Munstead’.
 
These have strong, woody stems that can support the tree form.
 
French and Spanish lavenders are less ideal because their growth habit is looser.
 
So if you want a lavender tree that actually looks like a tree, start with English lavender.
 

2. Pick a Sunny Spot With Great Drainage

Lavender trees need full sun, at least six to eight hours a day.
 
They also hate wet feet.
 
So when you plant a lavender tree, choose a spot with sandy or gravelly soil that drains fast.
 
If your soil is heavy clay, amend it with grit or plant your lavender tree in a raised bed or container.
 
Good drainage is honestly the difference between a thriving lavender tree and a rotting one.
 

3. Plant at the Right Depth

When you plant a lavender tree, dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball but no deeper.
 
Set the plant so the top of the root ball sits slightly above the soil line.
 
This helps water drain away from the crown, which prevents rot.
 
Backfill with soil, firm it gently, and water lightly.
 
That’s how you plant a lavender tree without setting it up for failure.
 

4. Space It Properly

Lavender trees need airflow around them.
 
If you’re planting more than one, space them at least two to three feet apart.
 
Crowded lavender trees are more prone to fungal issues and poor growth.
 
Give them room to breathe and they’ll reward you with a healthier shape.
 

Training Your Lavender Into a Tree Form

Planting is only half the story.
 
To get that classic lavender tree look, you need to train the plant over one to two years.
 
Here’s how.
 

1. Select a Single Leader

Pick the strongest, straightest stem as your main trunk.
 
Tie it to a small stake to keep it upright.
 
This stem will become the trunk of your lavender tree.
 

2. Remove Lower Side Shoots

As the plant grows, snip off the lower side branches.
 
Keep the bottom 6 to 10 inches of the stem bare.
 
This is what creates the “trunk” effect.
 
Do this gradually over a season, not all at once.
 

3. Pinch the Top Growth

To encourage a bushy head on your lavender tree, pinch back the top shoots regularly.
 
This forces the plant to branch out at the top instead of growing tall and leggy.
 
Over time, you’ll get that rounded canopy that makes a lavender tree so charming.
 

Caring for Your Lavender Tree

Once your lavender tree is planted and shaped, care is pretty straightforward.
 
Here’s what keeps it healthy.
 

1. Water Sparingly

Lavender trees are drought-tolerant once established.
 
Water deeply but infrequently, and let the soil dry out between watering.
 
Overwatering is the number one killer of lavender trees.
 

2. Prune After Flowering

After the blooms fade, give your lavender tree a light trim.
 
Don’t cut into the old woody growth, though.
 
Just shape the soft green stems to keep the tree form tidy.
 

3. Fertilize Lightly

Lavender trees don’t need much feeding.
 
A light dose of balanced fertilizer in spring is plenty.
 
Too much fertilizer leads to floppy growth and fewer flowers.
 

4. Protect From Harsh Winters

If you live in a cold climate, mulch around the base of your lavender tree in late fall.
 
Or move container-grown lavender trees indoors before the first hard freeze.
 
A little winter protection goes a long way.
 

So, How Do You Plant a Lavender Tree?

You plant a lavender tree by choosing a strong English lavender variety, planting it in full sun with excellent drainage, and training a single stem into a trunk over time.
 
It’s not complicated, but it does take patience.
 
Plant it right, shape it gradually, and care for it with light watering and occasional pruning.
 
Before you know it, you’ll have a beautiful lavender tree that’s the envy of your garden.