If you’re planning your garden, you might be wondering how tall do lavender trees grow. The answer is a bit more interesting than a simple number, as it depends on what you’re actually planting.
First, let’s clear something up. True “lavender trees” are typically standard lavender plants, trained into a small tree form. The growth height you can expect really depends on the lavender variety used as the base. Understanding this helps you pick the right plant and manage your expectations for its mature size.
How Tall Do Lavender Trees Grow
On average, a lavender standard or “tree” will reach between 2 to 3 feet in height to the top of its ball of foliage. The woody stem or trunk adds another 1 to 2 feet. So, from the soil to the highest point, most lavender trees stand at a total of 3 to 5 feet tall.
This makes them a perfect mid-level accent for borders, patios, or container gardening. Their height is predictable when you start with a known variety.
Height by Lavender Variety
The type of lavender used is the biggest factor. Here’s a quick guide to common varieties and their typical mature heights as standards:
- English Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia): This is the most common choice. Varieties like ‘Hidcote’ or ‘Munstead’ create compact, rounded tops. Foliage ball height: 18-24 inches. Total tree height: 3-4 feet.
- French Lavender (Lavandula stoechas): Known for its showy “rabbit ear” blooms. It tends to have a looser, more sprawling form. Foliage ball height: 2-3 feet. Total tree height: 4-5 feet.
- Lavandin (Lavandula x intermedia): These are robust hybrids, like ‘Grosso’ or ‘Provence’. They are often the tallest. Foliage ball height: 2-3 feet. Total tree height: Can reach 4-5 feet or slightly more.
Factors That Influence Final Height
Even within a variety, several things can affect how tall your lavender tree gets. It’s not just about genetics.
Sunlight Exposure
Lavender needs full sun—at least 6 to 8 hours daily. In less sun, the plant will become leggy as it stretches for light. This can make it taller but also weaker and less bushy. For a compact, strong form, maximum sun is non-negotiable.
Soil Conditions and Drainage
Lavender thrives in poor to moderately fertile, very well-draining soil. Rich, heavy, or moist soil leads to soft, excessive growth that can flop over and is more suseptible to winter damage. Lean, gritty soil promotes a sturdier, more resilient plant that holds its form better.
Pruning Practices
This is the most important factor you control. Regular pruning maintains the tree’s shape and prevents the top from becoming too tall and woody in the center. Without pruning, the canopy can become sparse and the overall height less attractive.
How to Prune a Lavender Tree for Controlled Height
Pruning is essential for health and form. Follow these steps to keep your tree’s height in check and encourage bushiness.
- Timing is Key: The main prune should be in early spring, just as new green growth starts to appear at the base of the foliage ball. A lighter trim can be done after the first flush of flowers fades.
- Use the Right Tools: Use clean, sharp bypass pruners or hedge shears for a uniform shape.
- Shape the Canopy: Aim to remove about one-third of the current year’s growth. Shape the foliage ball into a rounded, dense form. Avoid cutting into the old, woody stems that have no leaves, as these may not regrow.
- Maintain the Stem: Remove any suckers or new shoots that appear along the main trunk to preserve the clean “tree” look.
Planting for Optimal Growth
Giving your lavender tree a great start helps it reach its ideal height without stress.
- Spacing: Plant it at least 2 to 3 feet from other plants or structures. This ensures good air circulation, which prevents disease and allows sunlight to reach all sides.
- Planting Depth: Always plant at the same depth it was in its nursery pot. Burying the stem can lead to rot.
- Watering: Water deeply but infrequently once established. Let the soil dry out between waterings. Overwatering is a common mistake that leads to poor growth.
Common Height-Related Problems and Solutions
Sometimes, your lavender tree might not grow as expected. Here’s what to look for.
Leggy or Sparse Growth
This is usually caused by insufficient sunlight or lack of pruning. The plant stretches tall but thin. Solution: If possible, relocate to a sunnier spot. Prune more aggressively in spring to encourage branching from lower down.
Flopping Over
If the top becomes to heavy or the growth is too soft, the canopy may flop. This is often from over-fertilizing, overwatering, or rich soil. Solution: Improve drainage with grit, cut back on water and fertilizer, and provide support with a discreet stake if needed while you correct the conditions.
Stunted Growth
If the plant remains very small, check for root-bound conditions in a container, extremely poor soil with no nutrients at all, or pest issues like root weevils. A light feed with a balanced fertilizer in spring can sometimes help.
Lavender Tree vs. Lavender Bush: Height Comparison
It’s useful to understand the difference. A lavender bush of the same variety grows from the ground as a mound. Its height is just the foliage—usually 1-3 feet. A lavender tree takes that same bush, trains it to a single stem, and elevates it. So, the tree form adds the trunk height, making it visually taller in the landscape while displaying the same fragrant foliage and flowers up higher.
FAQ About Lavender Growth Heights
How fast do lavender trees grow?
They establish in the first year. You’ll typically see most of their height growth within 2-3 growing seasons, reaching near their mature size by then.
Can I control how tall my lavender tree gets?
Yes, absolutely. Through consistent spring pruning, you can maintain a specific height and shape. It’s much easier to keep it small than to try and reduce an overgrown plant.
What is the tallest lavender variety?
Among the common types, Lavandin hybrids like ‘Grosso’ are generally the tallest, often reaching up to 3 feet in foliage height alone. As a standard, they make the most imposing lavender trees.
Do lavender trees grow well in pots?
They excel in containers, which naturally limits their root growth and, by extension, their overall size. Ensure the pot is large enough (at least 16-18 inches in diameter) and has excellent drainage holes.
Why is my lavender tree not getting taller?
Check its basic needs: full sun, well-draining soil, and proper watering. Also, ensure you are not pruning it at the wrong time (like late fall), which can remove next year’s growth buds. Sometimes a pot-bound plant just needs more space for its roots.
Choosing and growing a lavender tree is rewarding when you know what to expect. By selecting the right variety and providing simple care—plenty of sun, lean soil, and annual pruning—you can enjoy its beautiful form and wonderful scent at its perfect height for years to come. Remember, a happy lavender tree is a compact, fragrant, and sturdy one.