Purple Flowers That Look Like Lavender

If you love the look and scent of lavender but want something a bit different for your garden, you’re in the right place. There are many stunning purple flowers that look like lavender, offering vibrant color and wonderful fragrance.

These alternatives can thrive in conditions where lavender might struggle, or simply give you a new visual twist. Let’s look at some of the best options to bring that lavender-like charm to your own outdoor space.

This list includes plants that share lavender’s spiky flower clusters, soothing purple hues, and often, its sweet scent. They range from annuals to perennials and shrubs.

Russian Sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia)

This is a top contender. With its airy, lavender-purple flower spikes and silvery-green foliage, it creates a very similar effect. It’s extremely tough, drought-tolerant, and blooms from mid-summer into fall.

Key Traits: Long blooming period, aromatic gray foliage, very hardy.
Growing Tip: Prefers full sun and well-drained soil. Cut back hard in early spring.

Catmint (Nepeta)

Catmint is a garden favorite for good reason. Its spikes of small, lavender-blue flowers mound beautifully and often bloom repeatedly if sheared back. The foliage is fragrant when brushed against.

Key Traits: Easy-care, long bloom time, attracts pollinators.
Growing Tip: Thrives in sun to part shade. The ‘Walker’s Low’ variety is particularly popular.

Salvia (Various Species)

Many salvias, like Salvia nemorosa or Salvia officinalis (culinary sage), produce flower spikes eerily similar to lavender. They come in deep purples, violets, and blues and are beloved by hummingbirds and bees.

Key Traits: Intense color, often fragrant foliage, excellent for hot spots.
Growing Tip: Needs excellent drainage and plenty of sun. Deadhead to encourage more flowers.

Hyssop (Agastache)

Often called Hummingbird Mint, hyssop boasts tall, dense spikes of tubular flowers in lavender, purple, and orange. Its leaves are licorice-scented, adding another layer of sensory appeal.

Key Traits: Attracts hummingbirds and butterflies, drought resistant, aromatic.
Growing Tip: Plant in full sun with good air circulation to prevent mildew.

English Lavender’s Cousins: Spanish & French Lavender

For a slightly different look, consider other lavender species. Spanish Lavender (Lavandula stoechas) has distinctive “rabbit ear” petals on top. French Lavender (Lavandula dentata) has toothed leaves and a longer blooming season in mild climates.

Planning Your Lavender-Like Garden

To get the best results from these plants, a little planning goes along way. The right location and soil setup are crucial.

Choosing the Right Location

Almost all plants that resemble lavender share its need for sunshine. Aim for a spot that gets at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sun per day. Good air circulation helps prevent fungal diseases and keeps plants healthy.

Soil Preparation is Key

Well-draining soil is non-negotiable. These plants despise “wet feet.” If you have heavy clay soil, you’ll need to amend it.

Test your soil’s drainage by digging a hole and filling it with water. If it drains within a few hours, you’re okay. If not, you need to improve it.
Mix in plenty of coarse sand, gravel, or crushed rock. Organic compost is good for nutrients, but avoid overdoing it as rich soil can lead to floppy growth.
For the ultimate solution, consider building a raised bed or planting on a slope or mound to ensure water runs away from the crown of the plant.

Planting and Care Steps

Once your site is ready, follow these simple steps for planting and maintaining your vibrant blooms.

Planting Your Flowers

The best times to plant are spring or early fall, allowing roots to establish without extreme heat or cold stress.
Space plants according to their mature width, usually about 18-24 inches apart for most perennials. This ensures good air flow.
Water deeply immediately after planting to settle the soil. Then, transition to a deep-but-infrequent watering schedule to encourage strong, deep roots.

Watering and Feeding

These are generally low-water plants once established. Water only when the top few inches of soil are dry. Overwatering is a common mistake. They typically need little to no fertilizer. In fact, to much feed can reduce flowering and make plants leggy. A light layer of compost in spring is usually sufficient.

Pruning for More Blooms

Pruning is essential for maintaining shape and encouraging repeat flowering. For catmint and salvia, shear back by one-half to two-thirds after the first major flush of blooms fade. For Russian sage and hyssop, cut them down to about 6 inches in late winter or early spring before new growth begins. Never cut into old, woody stems on lavender in the fall.

Design Ideas for Your Garden

Use these lavender look-alikes to create stunning visual effects. They work wonderfully in mass plantings, where their color and form can make a big impact. Try lining a sunny pathway with Russian sage or catmint for a soft, fragrant border. They are perfect for cottage gardens, rock gardens, and xeriscapes. Pair them with plants that have contrasting forms, like the round blooms of echinacea or the daisy-like flowers of rudbeckia. Silver-leaved plants, such as artemisia or lamb’s ear, complement their purple tones beautifully.

Solving Common Problems

Even tough plants can have issues. Here’s how to handle common problems.

Leggy or Floppy Growth: Usually means not enough sun or soil that’s too rich. Prune back to encourage bushiness and consider moving to a sunnier spot next season.
Poor Flowering: Often caused by to much nitrogen (from fertilizer), too much shade, or improper pruning. Ensure full sun and avoid high-nitrogen feeds.
Root Rot: The sign is wilting or browning plants despite wet soil. This is almost always due to poor drainage. You may need to replant in a better-drained location.

FAQ

What are some purple plants similar to lavender?
Russian Sage, Catmint, Salvia, and Hyssop are all excellent purple plants that offer a similar aesthetic to lavender with their spiky blooms and often fragrant presence.

What fragrant purple flower resembles lavender?
Catmint is very fragrant when its foliage is brushed. Many Salvias also have fragrant leaves, and of course, other types of Lavender itself are wonderfully fragrant purple flowers.

Can I find a lavender substitute for humid climates?
Yes! English lavender struggles in humidity, but Russian Sage, Catmint, and Salvia are generally more tolerant of humid summer conditions as long as they have good drainage and air flow.

What are those tall purple flowers that look like lavender?
Russian Sage and some varieties of Hyssop can grow quite tall, often reaching 3 to 4 feet in height, creating a dramatic backdrop with their lavender-like purple flower spikes.

Adding purple flowers that look like lavender to your garden is a fantastic way to enjoy that classic look with more variety and sometimes, easier care. By choosing the right plant for your climate, preparing the soil well, and following simple maintenance steps, you can enjoy vibrant and fragrant blooms for seasons to come. Your garden will be buzzing with pollinators and full of color, proving you don’t always need lavender to capture its magical essence.