Growing lavender from seed has a bit of a reputation for being tricky, but honestly, it’s more about patience than anything else. Germination can vary significantly, taking anywhere from 2 weeks to a few months. One common mistake is tossing out the seed tray after you’ve transplanted a few seedlings, thinking that’s it for germination. Just hang in there—more might pop up later!

I suggest starting the seeds indoors in trays during spring and keeping them in a spot where you can water them regularly until summer. If you have the space, it might be smart to use plug trays to sow individual seeds. This way, you won’t disturb the smaller seedlings or any seeds that haven’t germinated yet when you start potting them up. Always sow more seeds than you think you’ll need, just to be safe. A little trick to boost germination is scarification, where seeds are gently rubbed between two sheets of sandpaper before sowing, which can help.

In the UK, lavender thrives best in sunny spots and prefers free-draining soil. Once your seedlings reach approximately 5 cm in height, proceed to plant them outdoors. You might see the first flowers in August of the first year, and by the second year, they typically start flowering in June.