Spike lavender, the other scent of lavender
Lavandula latifolia
- Exposure
- Sun
- Hardiness (USDA)
- 8b (-9.4°C ≤ T° < -6.7°C)
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Family
- Lamiaceae
- Genus
- Lavender Lavandula
- Species
- Lavender aspic Lavandula latifolia
Other names:Lavandula spica, Lavandula interrupta, Lavandula inclinans, Lavandula guinandii, Lavandula erigens, Lavandula decipiens, Lavandula cladophora
Widespread in Spain, France, and southern England, Aspic lavender (Lavandula latifolia) belongs to the Lamiaceae family. While its appearance evokes the Mediterranean and Provence, its scent is more of a reminder of the back room of a Chinese herbalist's shop.
How can you identify Aspic lavender, Lavandula latifolia?
Spearmint lavender is a dense, compact perennial. When in bloom, the shrub reaches 80 centimeters in height and one meter in width. Its short, woody stems branch out to support the flower spikes.
The evergreen, gray-green foliage takes on a silvery hue when exposed to heat and drought. The oblong, spatulate leaves are longer (up to 10 centimeters) and wider (up to 5 millimeters) than those of Lavandula angustifolia. They give off a strong camphor scent.
The flowers also emit the same camphor-like scent. In summer, flower stalks and their flower spikes appear at the tips of the stems. The dark purple flowers, with almost blue hues, attract bees and other pollinating insects.
Lavandula latifolia is not toxic. It possesses the same medicinal properties as its cousins. Renowned for its antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties, it is notably used in the formulation of Tiger Balm. However, spike lavender is shunned by perfumers, who prefer the essential oil of Lavandin or true lavender.
Our care tips
Lavender aspic require little maintenance. These plants thrive in periods of drought and adapt to all types of soil. Their only enemy? Too much water. To keep your Lavender aspic alive, take care not to drown its roots.
Watering
Water your Lavender aspic when the soil has dried deeply. Use water at room temperature to avoid damaging the roots. If you can, use rainwater or non-calcareous water.
Never leave water standing in the saucer or planter, as this will rot the roots.
Misting
Your Lavandula latifolia hates wet foliage. Don't mist the plant.
Repotting
Every year in the spring, repot your Lavandula latifolia to give it more space.
Get a pot with holes at least 30 centimetres in diameter. This will give your plant room to grow. Choose a ceramic or terracotta model. These materials help evaporate excess water and prevent root rot.
Pour a layer of clay pebbles or gravel into the bottom for drainage. Then add draining soil, such as potting soil for Mediterranean plants. Place your plant in the center and top with substrate.
Tamp and water for the first time.
Fertilization
To promote the growth of your Lavandula latifolia, apply fertilizer in spring and summer.
Lavender aspic are not very greedy plants. If you want to stimulate their development, apply a fertilizer for Mediterranean plants in early spring.
Lavender aspic are not very greedy plants. If you want to stimulate their development, apply a fertilizer for Mediterranean plants in early spring.
Harvest
Depending on the variety, fruit is harvested between early and late summer.
Pick flower spikes. Make bouquets and hang them upside down in a dry place.
You can then use the dried flowers to perfume your linen.
Prune
Prune faded flower spikes flush with the foliage. This way, the plant doesn't spend energy on producing seeds.
If you have a single plant, use sharp, clean pruning shears. If you have beds or hedges, use shears with clean blades.
Never cut dry wood. The plant will not grow back on old wood.
Carry out maintenance pruning to maintain the shape of your Lavender aspic and help it become denser.
Using shears or pruning shears, cut back the stems by about two-thirds.
Thinning out
When the plants have at least two leaves, thin them out.
When the first shoots appear, keep only the most vigorous from each bucket. Remove the others.
The following spring, you can plant your Lavender aspic in a pot or in the ground.
Planting
When the risk of frost has passed, it's time to plant.
Soak your Lavender aspic while digging a hole twice the size of the root ball. Place a handful of organic fertilizer at the bottom.
Then install your Lavender aspic. Make sure that the top of the rootball is two to three centimetres below the surface of the soil. Fill the hole with garden soil and tamp to remove air bubbles.
Water for the first time to help the plant take root.
Sowing
Once the risk of frost has passed, you can sow your Lavandula latifolia seeds.
Fill cups with potting soil for seedlings. Plant a seed every two centimeters and cover with a thin layer of substrate.
Water for the first time. Water by capillary action, by placing your pots in a larger container filled with water. This way, you're sure to moisten all the soil without the risk of displacing or burying the seeds.
Place your seedlings in a bright spot with a temperature of 20°. You can place them in a mini greenhouse or on a heat mat. Spray the substrate regularly to keep it cool.
Taking cuttings
Cutting is carried out during the strong growth phase, generally in spring and early summer.
For annual pruning, select a terminal shoot about fifteen centimetres long. The stem should still be supple. Remove the leaves from the lower half of the cutting.
In a drilled pot, pour a drainage layer (clay balls or gravel) followed by a rich, draining substrate (horticultural potting soil or potting soil for seedlings and cuttings).
Make a hole with a pencil and plant your graft. Water to aid rooting and eliminate air bubbles.
Diseases / Threats
Information
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Exposure
- Sun
- Substrates
- Calcareous earthHumus soilSandy soil
- Planting methods
- Open groundIn potsIn tubs
- Category
- Flowery
- Tags
- FloweryMedicinalHardy
- Origin
- Southern Europe
- Hardiness (USDA)
- 8b (-9.4°C ≤ T° < -6.7°C)
- Leaf color
- Green-gray
- Flower color
- Violet
Discover plants from the same family
True lavender
Lavandula angustifolia
Butterfly lavender
Lavandula stoechas
Lavandin
Lavandula angustifolia x latifolia
Find out more
Find all our tips in the Monstera application
