Originally, the blue-violet flowering lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) comes from the Mediterranean climate zone, where it is perfectly adapted to mild temperatures and high drought. Nevertheless, the medicinal plant is considered hardy, especially in comparison to other types of lavender - but not in all regions and in all weather conditions. The plant is usually not doomed by the low temperatures, but rather by excessive humidity.
True lavender can handle temperatures as low as -15°C
Special winter dangers
In principle, real lavender is considered hardy for temperatures down to -15° C, provided the plant is only exposed to it for a short time. More problematic than low temperatures, however, is excessive humidity, for example in mild but very wet winters. Since lavender is more used to drought, too much moisture can lead to rot and thus to the death of the plant. For this reason, lavender should not be mulched, as the mulch material retains moisture rather than wicking it away. On the other hand, it makes more sense to plant the lavender in a sheltered place.
Frost = risk of drying out
The opposite problem arises when the plant is exposed to frost and bright winter sun at the same time - the lavender can dry up because its roots in the frozen soil can no longer absorb water, but at the same time more water is evaporated through the leaves. Here, too, a sheltered location and, if necessary, a cover with spruce or fir branches help best.
Hardiness of other lavender species
True lavender is considered to be more or less hardy, but other types of lavender are not. You can see how sensitive which lavender is and which winter protection is recommended in the table below.
| Lavender Art | Latin designation | hardiness | winter protection |
|---|---|---|---|
| real lavender | Lavandula Angustifolia | down to -15° Celsius | recommended |
| Provence lavender | lavandin | briefly down to -10° C | recommended |
| French lavender | Lavandula stoechas | conditional | under cold house conditions |
| Woolly Lavender | Lavandula lanata | conditional | under cold house conditions |
| spike lavender | Lavandula latifolia | no | under cold house conditions |
| Oregano Lavender | Lavandula multifida | no | under cold house conditions |
tips
As a rule, it is sufficient to plant the real lavender in a protected corner and cover it with spruce or fir branches. You don't have to worry, especially when it's snowing, the snow cover acts as a kind of thermal insulation fleece and ensures easier hibernation than dry frost.