Can You Grow Lavender In Colorado

You can grow lavender in Colorado, and with the right approach, it can actually thrive in our unique climate.
 
If you’ve been wondering whether you can grow lavender in Colorado, the short answer is a resounding yes, but it takes a bit of know-how.
 
Colorado’s high altitude, intense sun, and dry air create both challenges and opportunities for lavender lovers.
 
Growing lavender in Colorado is absolutely possible because our state shares many similarities with the Mediterranean regions where lavender naturally grows wild.
 
You can grow lavender in Colorado successfully if you pick the right varieties, prepare your soil properly, and give your plants the care they crave.
 
In this post, we’ll dig into the best lavender varieties for Colorado, how to plant them, and the secrets to keeping them happy through our wild weather swings.
 
Let’s get started on your lavender journey.
 

Why You Can Grow Lavender in Colorado

You can grow lavender in Colorado because our climate mirrors the plant’s native habitat in so many wonderful ways.
 
Lavender originates from sunny, rocky, and dry regions, and Colorado delivers on all three fronts.
 
The key is understanding that growing lavender in Colorado isn’t about fighting the environment, it’s about working with it.
 

1. The Dry Climate Is a Huge Advantage

Lavender hates wet feet, and Colorado’s low humidity is a dream come true for this drought-tolerant herb.
 
You can grow lavender in Colorado with minimal watering once established because our arid air prevents many fungal diseases that plague lavender in wetter states.
 
The dry climate means you won’t have to worry about root rot if you have well-draining soil, which is lavender’s number one requirement.
 
This is why so many commercial lavender farms have popped up across the Front Range and Western Slope.
 

2. Intense Sunlight Mimics Mediterranean Conditions

Lavender needs full sun, ideally six to eight hours a day, and Colorado delivers that in spades.
 
Our state enjoys over 300 days of sunshine per year, giving your plants all the light energy they need to produce those fragrant, colorful blooms.
 
When you grow lavender in Colorado, the intense solar radiation actually concentrates the essential oils in the plant.
 
That means your homegrown lavender can be even more aromatic than lavender grown in cloudier climates.
 

3. Rocky, Alkaline Soil Works in Your Favor

Most Colorado soils are naturally alkaline and on the sandy or gravelly side, which is perfect for lavender.
 
You can grow lavender in Colorado without amending heavy clay soils that often cause problems elsewhere because our native soil structure mimics lavender’s preferred gritty, fast-draining conditions.
 
Lavender actually prefers a soil pH between 6.5 and 7.5, and many Colorado gardens naturally fall into that range.
 
If your soil is too heavy, just amend it with coarse sand or small gravel to improve drainage even further.
 

The Best Lavender Varieties for Colorado Gardens

Not all lavender is created equal, so picking the right cultivars is crucial when you want to grow lavender in Colorado.
 
Some varieties are more cold-hardy than others, and our winter temperatures can dip well below zero in many parts of the state.
 
You can grow lavender in Colorado successfully if you choose varieties that are adapted to both cold winters and hot summers.
 

1. English Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)

English lavender is the gold standard for Colorado growers because it’s the most cold-hardy species you’ll find.
 
When you grow lavender in Colorado, look for English varieties like Munstead, Hidcote, and Betty’s Blue.
 
These plants laugh at cold winters and still bloom beautifully come June and July.
 
English lavender also has a sweeter, more floral fragrance that’s perfect for culinary uses and sachets.
 

2. Lavandin (Lavandula x intermedia)

Lavandin hybrids like Grosso and Provence are fantastic if you’re growing lavender in Colorado for cut flowers or essential oils.
 
These are larger plants with longer stems and a more intense, camphor-like scent.
 
While lavandin is slightly less cold-hardy than English lavender, it still performs well in Colorado’s lower elevations.
 
If you live on the Western Slope where winters are milder, you can grow lavender in Colorado with lavandin as your main crop.
 

3. Spanish Lavender (Lavandula stoechas)

Spanish lavender is the showiest option with its distinctive rabbit-ear petals, but it’s also the least cold-hardy.
 
You can grow lavender in Colorado with Spanish varieties only if you treat them as annuals or overwinter them in containers indoors.
 
The key here is to stick with the hardier species we covered first for a truly perennial display.
 

Tips for Growing Lavender in Colorado Successfully

To grow lavender in Colorado that comes back year after year, you need to pay attention to a few critical details.
 
Getting these right from day one will save you a lot of heartache later.
 
Here’s everything that matters for planting and caring for lavender in our state.
 

1. Plant at the Right Time

The best time to plant lavender in Colorado is in early spring, after the last frost has passed but while the soil is still cool.
 
Aim for late April to mid-May for most Front Range gardens.
 
This gives your lavender a full growing season to establish strong roots before winter arrives.
 
You can also plant in early fall, about six weeks before the first expected frost, but spring planting is more reliable.
 

2. Prioritize Soil Drainage Above All Else

If there’s one thing that will kill your lavender in Colorado, it’s soggy winter soil.
 
Lavender roots rot quickly when they sit in water, especially during our freeze-thaw cycles in late winter.
 
To grow lavender in Colorado successfully, plant it on a slight mound or slope so water drains away from the crown.
 
Mix in a generous amount of coarse sand, perlite, or small pebbles at planting time to guarantee sharp drainage.
 

3. Water Deeply but Rarely

Your lavender will thank you for deep, infrequent watering rather than light, frequent sprinkles.
 
Water new plants every few days for the first couple of weeks to help them settle in.
 
After that, you can grow lavender in Colorado with watering every 10 to 14 days during the hottest summer months.
 
Once established, lavender is incredibly drought-tolerant and may only need supplemental water during extended dry spells.
 

4. Prune for Longevity and Shape

Annual pruning is essential if you want to grow lavender in Colorado that stays bushy and productive for many years.
 
Prune in early spring just as new green growth appears at the base of the plant.
 
Cut back the woody stems by about one-third, but never cut into the old, dead wood at the very center.
 
Lightly shear your plants again after the first bloom to encourage a second flush of flowers.
 

So, Can You Grow Lavender in Colorado?

Yes, you can grow lavender in Colorado, and it’s one of the most rewarding herbs to cultivate in our state.
 
You can grow lavender in Colorado as a perennial, annual, or container plant depending on the variety you select and your specific microclimate.
 
With the right variety, excellent drainage, full sun, and a little patience, you’ll be rewarded with fragrant, silvery-green plants that bloom profusely every summer.
 
Growing lavender in Colorado is not only possible, it’s actually easier here than in many other parts of the country.
 
Embrace our dry air, abundant sunshine, and well-draining native soils, and your lavender will become the envy of every gardener you know.
 
So go ahead, plant some lavender in Colorado this season and enjoy the beauty, aroma, and pollinators that come along with it.
 
Happy gardening, and here’s to your thriving lavender patch.