About Lavender
The quintessential Mediterranean herb-shrub, famous worldwide for its intensely fragrant purple flower spikes, silvery-green needle-like foliage, and calming essential oils. Lavender is iconic in perfumery, aromatherapy, cooking, and cottage garden design. Growing it in the Philippine lowlands is a challenge, but highland areas like Baguio, Benguet, and Bukidnon offer the cooler temperatures and drier air it craves. Lavender belongs to the Lamiaceae family and originates from Western Mediterranean region (France, Spain, Italy); adapted to dry, rocky, well-drained Mediterranean climates..
Lavender is a dream plant for many Filipino gardeners, but Manila's heat and humidity make it extremely challenging — most lowland attempts result in rot within a few months. The best success stories come from Philippine highlands: Baguio, La Trinidad, Atok (Benguet), Tagaytay, and Bukidnon, where cooler temperatures and drier air mimic Mediterranean conditions. Lavandula dentata (fringed lavender) and Lavandula stoechas (French lavender) are somewhat more heat-tolerant than the classic English lavender. For lowland growers, try L. dentata in an extremely well-drained container under a rain shelter with maximum airflow. La Trinidad has small-scale lavender farms that occasionally sell plants. Online plant groups sometimes offer rooted cuttings.
Also known as: English Lavender, True Lavender.
Popular Varieties
- Lavandula angustifolia 'Hidcote' (dark purple, compact — popular worldwide)
- Lavandula angustifolia 'Munstead' (early blooming, classic lavender blue)
- Lavandula × intermedia 'Grosso' (lavandin — larger, more heat-tolerant hybrid)
- Lavandula stoechas (French lavender — more heat-tolerant, distinctive 'rabbit ear' petals)
- Lavandula dentata (fringed lavender — one of the more PH-adaptable species)
How to Plant Lavender in the Philippines
Lavender can be propagated through stem cuttings, seeds. The recommended method is semi-hardwood stem cuttings (seeds are slow and unreliable).
Propagation Steps
- Step 1: Take 10-15 cm semi-hardwood cuttings from non-flowering stems during the cooler months.
- Step 2: Remove lower leaves, leaving 3-4 pairs of leaves at the tip.
- Step 3: Dip in rooting hormone and plant in very well-draining gritty mix (50% perlite or pumice).
- Step 4: Keep in bright indirect light with good air circulation. Mist lightly — avoid saturating.
- Step 5: Rooting takes 3-6 weeks. Be patient — lavender is slower than tropical plants.
- Step 6: Transplant to permanent containers with sandy, alkaline-leaning mix.
Care Guide
Sunlight
Full sun (at least 6-8 hours direct sunlight; in PH highlands, full exposure is ideal). Position your lavender where it receives the right amount of light for healthy growth in Philippine conditions.
Water
Water sparingly — allow soil to dry completely between waterings. Lavender hates wet feet. In Philippine conditions, water once a week or less. Adjust frequency during the Philippine rainy season when humidity is higher and soil stays moist longer.
Temperature & Humidity
Ideal temperature range: 15-28°C (ideal range; struggles above 32°C with high humidity — this is why Philippine lowlands are challenging). Low humidity strongly preferred — this is the biggest challenge in Manila's climate. In highlands (Baguio, Tagaytay), humidity is manageable. The warm, humid Philippine climate is well-suited for growing lavender outdoors or indoors.
Fertilizer
Very light feeder. A small amount of lime or crusite mixed into the soil helps. Avoid rich or nitrogen-heavy fertilizers that promote soft, rot-prone growth.
Pruning
Prune after flowering — cut back by one-third to maintain a compact, bushy shape. Never cut into old woody stems as lavender does not regenerate from bare wood.
Toxicity & Safety
Non-toxic. Flowers and leaves are edible and widely used in cooking, teas, and aromatherapy. Essential oil should not be ingested in concentrated form.
Common Problems & Solutions
Root rot and sudden plant death
Cause: Overwatering, poor drainage, and high humidity — the top killer of lavender in the Philippines
Solution: Use extremely well-draining soil (mostly sand, perlite, gravel). Terra cotta pots are best. Water only when completely dry. Never use saucers.
Fungal disease (gray stems, wilting)
Cause: High humidity and poor air circulation in lowland PH
Solution: Grow in the most airy, breezy location possible. Avoid crowding. In Manila, consider it a short-lived experiment — highlands are far more suitable.
Leggy, weak growth with few flowers
Cause: Insufficient sunlight, too much fertilizer, or too much heat
Solution: Provide maximum sun. Reduce fertilizer. In lowland PH, expect diminished performance compared to temperate climates.
Fading fragrance
Cause: Too much water, shade, or rich soil — stress (within reason) actually intensifies essential oil production
Solution: Keep conditions lean and dry. Full sun and poor soil actually produce the most fragrant plants.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you care for Lavender in the Philippines?
Lavender needs full sun (at least 6-8 hours direct sunlight; in ph highlands, full exposure is ideal). Water sparingly — allow soil to dry completely between waterings. lavender hates wet feet. in philippine conditions, water once a week or less.. Feed with very light feeder. a small amount of lime or crusite mixed into the soil helps. avoid rich or nitrogen-heavy fertilizers that promote soft, rot-prone growth.. The Philippine climate with temperatures of 15-28°C (ideal range; struggles above 32°C with high humidity — this is why Philippine lowlands are challenging) works well for this plant.
How do you propagate Lavender?
The recommended method is semi-hardwood stem cuttings (seeds are slow and unreliable). Take 10-15 cm semi-hardwood cuttings from non-flowering stems during the cooler months. Remove lower leaves, leaving 3-4 pairs of leaves at the tip.
Is Lavender toxic to pets or children?
Non-toxic. Flowers and leaves are edible and widely used in cooking, teas, and aromatherapy. Essential oil should not be ingested in concentrated form.
Can Lavender grow in containers in the Philippines?
Yes, Lavender grows well in containers and is suitable for balcony and indoor gardening in Metro Manila condos and apartments. Use a pot with drainage holes and appropriate potting mix.
What are common problems when growing Lavender?
Common issues include: Root rot and sudden plant death (caused by overwatering, poor drainage, and high humidity — the top killer of lavender in the philippines — use extremely well-draining soil (mostly sand, perlite, gravel). terra cotta pots are best. water only when completely dry. never use saucers); Fungal disease (gray stems, wilting) (caused by high humidity and poor air circulation in lowland ph — grow in the most airy, breezy location possible. avoid crowding. in manila, consider it a short-lived experiment — highlands are far more suitable); Leggy, weak growth with few flowers (caused by insufficient sunlight, too much fertilizer, or too much heat — provide maximum sun. reduce fertilizer. in lowland ph, expect diminished performance compared to temperate climates).
Growing lavender in Manila? Tag us @urbangoesgreen on TikTok and show us your garden!