Lavender (Lavandula spp.) is one of the most popular garden plants, grown for its wide array of culinary, medicinal, and ornamental uses. This perennial herb produces aromatic gray-green foliage and slender flower spikes in shades of purple, lavender, blue, pink, or white. Lavender varieties vary in bloom time, from late spring through summer.
Native to the Mediterranean region, lavender is easy to grow when given the right conditions. Plants prefer full sun, lean, well-draining soil, and are drought tolerant once established. This shrubby plant adds structure, color, and fragrance to beds, borders, and containers.
Lavender is a versatile landscape plant, pairing well with many other ornamental plants in mixed borders, waterwise landscapes, curbside strips, herb, and kitchen gardens. Here’s what to plant with lavender and how to use these combinations in your yard.
Companion plants have similar growing needs and complementary traits such as structure, texture, color, and shape that enhance the beauty of the combination. They may also provide benefits such as repelling harmful pests, reducing garden maintenance, or attracting pollinators. Here are some of the best companion plants to grow with lavender.
When shopping for lavender clothes online, be sure to tick the ‘purple’ box when filtering by color, as that’s where you’ll find items in the hue. Lavender plays nicely with lots of colors including neutrals like grey and navy, reds, oranges, and pinks (yes, really), brighter blues, and other pastels.
GLOBE THISTLE (Echinops spp.)
Zones: 3-9 Exposure: Full sun Habit: Upright branching habit Height/Spread: 2 to 5 feet tall, 1 to 3 feet wide Bloom time: Summer
Globe thistle is grown for the steely blue globe-shaped flowers that bloom from mid-summer to early fall. The thistle-like gray-green foliage and rounded flower shape pair well with lavender’s ornamental attributes, lending structure and contrast to beds and borders. Combine with lavender in a curbside strip or waterwise border.
Photo by: Bruno Glatsch / Pixabay
Zones: Grown as an annual Exposure: Full sun Habit: Upright or compact mounding habit Height/Spread: 6 to 48 inches tall, 6 to 24 inches wide Bloom time: Late spring to frost
The brightly colored yellow, orange, or red flowers of marigolds complement the cooler hues of lavender blooms. Plants thrive in similar growing conditions of full sun and well-draining soil. Grow marigold and lavender together in a kitchen or herb garden to repel pests. Learn more about growing marigold flowers.
Austin Pretty Limits® oleander. Photo by: Proven Winners
Zones: 8-11 Exposure: Full sun Habit: Upright bushy habit Height/Spread: 4 to 20 feet tall, 3 to 15 feet wide Bloom time: Year-round, with peak bloom during warmer months
A common landscape plant in warmer climates, oleander blooms year-round and tolerates heat, drought, and poor soil. The funnel-shaped flowers contrast with lavender’s spiky blooms for a pleasing effect. Pair oleander with lavender to extend the bloom season in a waterwise strip or mass planting, allowing plenty of room to avoid crowding. Learn more about growing olenader.
Pictured: Austin Pretty Limits® oleander from Proven Winners.
Photo by: Janet Loughrey
Zones: 4-10, depending on the variety Exposure: Full sun to partial shade Habit: Upright, spreading, or trailing habit Height/Spread: 6 to 36 inches tall, 8 to 24 inches wide Bloom time: Summer to fall, depending on variety
Oregano is a common culinary herb with tiny flowers that attract bees and other insect pollinators, helping to pollina food crops. Pair oregano with lavender in an herb or kitchen garden. Creeping or spreading forms of oregano can be grown as edging, in rockeries, or as an understory plant to lavender.
Pyromania® Orange Blaze red hot poker. Photo by: Proven Winners
Research Garden DesignBrowse photos, get design ideas & see the hottest plants
Sweet Romance® lavender. Photo by: Proven Winners
Lavender (Lavandula spp.) is one of the most popular garden plants, grown for its wide array of culinary, medicinal, and ornamental uses. This perennial herb produces aromatic gray-green foliage and slender flower spikes in shades of purple, lavender, blue, pink, or white. Lavender varieties vary in bloom time, from late spring through summer.
Native to the Mediterranean region, lavender is easy to grow when given the right conditions. Plants prefer full sun, lean, well-draining soil, and are drought tolerant once established. This shrubby plant adds structure, color, and fragrance to beds, borders, and containers.
Lavender is a versatile landscape plant, pairing well with many other ornamental plants in mixed borders, waterwise landscapes, curbside strips, herb, and kitchen gardens. Here’s what to plant with lavender and how to use these combinations in your yard.
Companion plants have similar growing needs and complementary traits such as structure, texture, color, and shape that enhance the beauty of the combination. They may also provide benefits such as repelling harmful pests, reducing garden maintenance, or attracting pollinators. Here are some of the best companion plants to grow with lavender.
Photo by: Proven Winners
Styling Trendy Color of 2022 (Purple/Violet /Lavender)
FAQ
What does lavender pair well with?
What not to plant next to lavender?
What color compliments lavender?
How do you make lavender taste good?
Lavender can quickly make your dish taste perfume-y, and a little goes a long way (kind of like vanilla). Start with a little, taste, and add more as needed. You’ll want to either grind the buds (perfect for mixing into sugar), or seep and strain them from a liquid (like in simple syrup or honey). 1 part fresh lavender buds = 1/3 part dried buds.
Can you mix lemon & lavender?
For example, lemon and lavender is a classic pairing for both sweet and savory recipes. Dried lavender is more potent: Lavender intensifies in flavor as it dries, so be sure you know if your recipe calls for fresh or dried, and then adjust accordingly. One teaspoon of dried lavender is about equal in flavor to three times as much fresh.
How do you use lavender?
Do use lavender appropriately. You can use the flowers in salads or you can grind them along with the leaves in a mortar and pestle or in a spice grinder. Another option is to make an infusion. If you plan to use it in desserts or cocktails, an infusion is arguably the easiest and most enjoyable way to add lavender to dishes.
Can you cook with lavender?
When cooking with lavender, you will use a combination of the younger leaves and the flowers. Lavender may be used fresh, dried, or frozen. To get the best results from this herb, follow the dos and don’ts listed below. We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you. Do choose the right lavender.