Spike Lavender is a sun-loving perennial herb that brings bold character to any garden. Known scientifically as Lavandula latifolia and sometimes called Portuguese lavender, this aromatic plant grows 24 to 36 inches tall and produces fragrant pale-lilac flower spikes over 100 to 110 days. Hardy in zones 5 through 9, it thrives in dry, well-drained soil and rewards gardeners with flowers rich in essential oils, making it equally at home in field plantings, containers, or raised beds.
Full Sun
Low
5-9
36in H x ?in W
—
Moderate
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Spike Lavender stands apart for its distinctive camphor-accented scent and exceptionally high essential-oil content, which makes it far more valuable for distillation and crafting than many other lavender varieties. Unlike some lavenders that prefer fussy conditions, this one genuinely loves sun and poor soil, handling drought with ease once established. The pale-lilac flowers appear reliably over a long season, and the plant's upright growth habit means it won't sprawl or demand constant pruning.
Spike Lavender shines in craft applications, particularly for distilling essential oils and creating herbal preparations. Its high oil content makes it especially suited to perfumery, soap making, and dried flower arrangements. Culinary uses are also possible, though its camphor-forward character means it works best in small quantities within savory dishes, infusions, or honey blends rather than as a primary flavoring.
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Harvest flowers when the spikes are fully colored but still firm, typically in midsummer after 100 to 110 days from planting. Cut stems in the early morning after dew has dried to capture the highest essential-oil concentration. For drying, hang bundles upside down in a warm, airy space away from direct sunlight, which can fade the pale-lilac color and diminish volatile oils.
Deadhead spent flower spikes to encourage continued blooming throughout the season. After flowering, prune lightly to maintain the plant's upright form and prevent it from becoming woody and bare at the base. Avoid cutting into old wood; instead, trim just above new growth.
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“Spike Lavender carries the nickname Portuguese lavender, reflecting its Mediterranean origins and the regions where it has been cultivated for centuries. Its development as an heirloom variety speaks to generations of gardeners recognizing its superior oil content and aromatic strength compared to other lavender species. The fact that it persists as an open-pollinated, non-GMO variety today reflects a deliberate choice by seed savers to preserve a plant valued for its utility and reliability.”