White Lavender Plants

If you’re looking for a plant that combines serene beauty with a calming scent, you should consider white lavender plants. These elegant and fragrant blooms offer a unique twist on the classic purple varieties, bringing a touch of sophistication to any garden space.

Their silvery-white foliage and pale flower spikes stand out beautifully against green hedges or in moonlight gardens. They attract pollinators just as well as their purple cousins. And their soothing aroma is just as powerful, perfect for crafting or simply enjoying on a summer breeze.

White lavender isn’t a single species, but rather a color variation found in several types. The most common is a cultivar of English lavender (Lavandula angustifolia), known for its hardiness and sweet fragrance. You might find it sold as ‘Alba’, ‘Arctic Snow’, or ‘Nana Alba’.

These plants share the same growing needs as traditional lavender. They thrive in full sun and well-drained, slightly alkaline soil. Good drainage is absolutely critical to prevent root rot, which lavender despises.

Why Choose White Lavender?

The benefits of growing white lavender extend beyond its stunning apperance.

Visual Contrast: The white flowers create stunning contrast in borders, rockeries, or against dark fences.
Moon Garden Star: They glow beautifully in the evening, making them ideal for gardens designed to be enjoyed at night.
Versatile Aesthetic: They fit seamlessly into cottage gardens, formal landscapes, and modern minimalist designs.
Same Hardy Nature: They are just as drought-tolerant, deer-resistant, and pollinator-friendly as other lavenders.

Planting Your White Lavender

Getting your plant off to a strong start is simple if you follow these steps. The best time to plant is in the spring after the last frost, or in early fall.

Choose the Spot: Select a location that recieves at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily.
Prepare the Soil: If your soil is heavy clay, amend it with plenty of gravel, sand, or crushed rock to improve drainage. A raised bed is often a smart solution.
Dig the Hole: Make it twice as wide as the root ball but no deeper.
Plant: Place the plant in the hole, backfill, and gently firm the soil. Ensure the crown (where stem meets roots) is level with the soil surface.
Water Deeply: Give it a good initial watering, then allow the soil to dry out before watering again.

Spacing is Key

Give each plant 2 to 3 feet of space. This ensures good air circulation, which prevents fungal diseases and allows each plant to form its lovely mound shape. Crowding them together is a common mistake that leads to poor growth.

Caring for Your Plants

White lavender is wonderfully low-maintenance once established. Its care routine revolves around minimal watering and strategic pruning.

Watering: Water young plants regularly for the first season. Mature lavender is very drought-tolerant. Overwatering is a far greater danger than underwatering. Always let the soil dry completely between waterings.
Feeding: Lavender rarely needs fertilizer. In fact, too much feed can lead to leggy growth and fewer flowers. A light top-dressing of compost in spring is usually sufficient.
Weeding: Keep the area around the base free of weeds. A layer of gravel or small stones can help suppress weeds and also reflect heat up to the plant, which it loves.

Pruning for Health and Blooms

Pruning is the most important task for keeping your lavender shapely and productive. Never cut back into the old, woody stems that have no leaves, as they may not regrow.

Spring Pruning (Light): In early spring, once you see new green growth at the base, give the plant a light trim to remove any winter-damaged tips.
Post-Bloom Pruning (Major): After the main summer flush fades, give it a harder prune. Cut back about one-third of the green growth, just above a set of leaves. Aim to maintain a rounded mound shape.
Annual Habit: Consistent yearly pruning prevents the plant from becoming woody and sparse in the center.

Harvesting and Using Your Blooms

The best time to harvest white lavender is just as the flower buds begin to open. This is when the oils, and thus the fragrance, are most potent.

Cut long stems in the morning after the dew has dried. Bundle them with a rubber band and hang them upside down in a dark, dry, well-ventilated place. Once completely dry, you can gently strip the buds for various uses.

Potpourri and Sachets: Mix dried buds with other herbs for lovely, natural air fresheners in drawers or closets.
Culinary Use: Ensure your lavender was grown without pesticides. The buds can be used sparingly in baking, syrups, or teas. The white varieties have a similarly sweet, floral flavor.
Relaxation: Add a handful of dried buds to a warm bath or make a simple dream pillow for a restful night’s sleep.

Troubleshooting Common Problems

Even tough plants can encounter issues. Here’s how to adress them.

Yellowing or Drooping Leaves

This is almost always a sign of too much water or poor drainage. Check your soil. If it’s soggy, you may need to improve drainage or water much less frequently. Sometimes the plant can recover if caught early.

Leggy, Floppy Growth

This indicates not enough sun or inadequate pruning. Move the plant to a sunnier location if possible, and be more diligent with your annual pruning schedule.

Lack of Flowers

Insufficient sunlight is the top cause. Other culprits could be over-fertilizing (which promotes leaves, not blooms) or pruning at the wrong time, removing that season’s flower buds.

Design Ideas for Your Garden

White lavender’s versatility is a major asset. Here are a few ways to showcase it.

Border Edging: Plant a row along a sunny path for a fragrant, defining edge.
Container Gardening: Use a terracotta pot with excellent drainage. It makes a beautiful patio centerpiece.
Companion Planting: Pair with roses, salvias, or catmint. The white flowers make the colors of other plants pop.
Silver & White Garden: Combine with other silvery-foliaged plants like artemisia or lamb’s ear for a cool, reflective palette.

FAQ About White Lavender

Is white lavender harder to grow than purple lavender?
No, it’s not. The care requirements are identical. They have the same needs for sun, soil, and pruning.

Does white lavender smell the same?
Yes, the fragrance is very similar—a sweet, herbal, calming scent. Some people think certain white cultivars are slightly milder, but the difference is subtle.

Will white lavender attract bees?
Absolutely. Bees, butterflies, and other beneficial pollinators love all lavender flowers regardless of color.

Can white lavender survive winter?
English lavender varieties (like most white cultivars) are quite cold-hardy, often surviving down to USDA zone 5. Good drainage is even more critical in winter to prevent frozen, wet roots.

Why is my white lavender turning brown?

Brown patches can be from winter frost damage, fungal disease from humidity, or severe underwatering. Prune out dead material in spring and review your watering practices and air circulation around the plant.

Adding white lavender plants to your garden is a wonderful way to enjoy elegant and fragrant blooms with minimal fuss. With their simple needs for sun and lean soil, they reward you with year-round structure, summer flowers, and that iconic scent. Just remember to plant them in a spot with good drainage, give them a yearly haircut, and then sit back and enjoy their quiet beauty.