How To Grow Lavender In Colorado

How to Grow Lavender in Colorado

You can grow lavender in Colorado successfully if you choose the right variety and plant it in well-drained soil with plenty of sun.
 
Colorado’s climate is actually pretty decent for lavender because this herb loves dry air and lots of sunshine.
 
The tricky part is our clay-heavy soil and cold winters, but with a few smart moves, your lavender can thrive here.
 
In this post, we’ll go over how to grow lavender in Colorado, from picking the best type to winterizing it so it comes back year after year.
 
Let’s dig in.
 

Why Growing Lavender in Colorado Works So Well

Growing lavender in Colorado is a match made in heaven for a few reasons.
 

1. Lavender Loves Dry Air

Lavender is native to the Mediterranean, where summers are hot and humidity is low.
 
Colorado’s dry climate is almost identical to that, which means your lavender won’t struggle with the fungal issues that plague gardeners in humid states.
 
That low humidity is a huge advantage when you’re growing lavender in Colorado.
 

2. Tons of Sunshine

Lavender needs at least six to eight hours of full sun every day.
 
Colorado averages over 300 sunny days a year, so sunlight is rarely a problem here.
 
This abundance of sun helps lavender produce more blooms and stronger fragrance.
 

3. Cool Nights Help Blooms

Those cool Colorado evenings slow down the plant’s respiration, which can lead to more oils building up in the flowers.
 
More oils mean a more fragrant harvest when you’re growing lavender in Colorado.
 

Choosing the Best Lavender Varieties for Colorado

Not all lavender is built for Colorado’s cold snaps, so variety selection matters a lot.
 

1. English Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)

English lavender is your best bet for Colorado because it’s the hardiest type, surviving down to Zone 5.
 
Look for varieties like ‘Munstead’ or ‘Hidcote’ which are compact, cold-tolerant, and bloom beautifully.
 
These are the go-to picks when growing lavender in Colorado.
 

2. Lavandins (Lavandula x intermedia)

Lavandins like ‘Provence’ and ‘Grosso’ are larger plants with bigger blooms.
 
They’re slightly less cold-hardy, so they do best along the Front Range or in milder pockets of the state.
 
If you’re in a colder mountain town, stick with English lavender instead.
 

3. Spanish Lavender (Lavandula stoechas)

Spanish lavender is gorgeous with its little “bunny ear” blooms, but it’s not reliably hardy in Colorado.
 
You can grow it in containers and bring it inside for winter, but it’s not ideal for growing lavender in Colorado outdoors year-round.
 

How to Plant and Care for Lavender in Colorado

Getting lavender in the ground the right way sets you up for years of success.
 

1. Fix Your Soil First

Colorado soil tends to be heavy clay, which holds water and suffocates lavender roots.
 
Amend your planting area with coarse sand, pea gravel, or compost to improve drainage.
 
You can also plant on a slight mound or slope so water runs off instead of pooling.
 

2. Plant After the Last Frost

The best time to plant lavender in Colorado is late spring, once the soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.
 
This gives roots time to establish before winter hits.
 

3. Don’t Overwater

Lavender is drought-tolerant once established, so let the soil dry out between waterings.
 
Overwatering is the number one killer when you’re growing lavender in Colorado.
 

4. Prune Lightly in Spring

Cut back about a third of the plant in early spring, but never prune into the old woody stems.
 
Light pruning keeps lavender bushy and encourages more blooms.
 

5. Mulch with Gravel, Not Bark

Use gravel or crushed rock as mulch instead of wood chips, since bark holds moisture against the stems.
 
Gravel also reflects heat, which lavender loves.
 

Winterizing Lavender in Colorado

Colorado winters can be brutal, so a little protection goes a long way.
 

1. Avoid Wet Feet in Winter

The real danger isn’t cold, it’s winter moisture combined with freeze-thaw cycles.
 
Good drainage in your soil is your best defense for growing lavender in Colorado through the winter.
 

2. Add a Light Covering

Once the ground freezes, pile a few inches of dry leaves or straw around the base.
 
Don’t cover the crown too heavily though, since trapped moisture can rot the plant.
 

3. Grow in Containers if You’re in the Mountains

If you live above 7,000 feet, growing lavender in Colorado pots you can move into a garage or shed is the safer route.
 
Bring them out again after the last spring frost.
 

So, How Do You Grow Lavender in Colorado?

You grow lavender in Colorado by picking cold-hardy English varieties, planting them in gritty, well-drained soil, and giving them full sun with minimal water.
 
Colorado’s dry air and abundant sunshine are actually ideal for lavender, as long as you protect the roots from heavy clay and winter moisture.
 
With the right variety and a bit of patience, growing lavender in Colorado can reward you with fragrant blooms for years to come.
 
Hope this post has helped you with exploring how to grow lavender in Colorado and the best ways to get it done.