Growing lavender plants from seed can be a rewarding and fun way to add this fragrant herb to your garden.

Lavender seeds are slow to germinate and plants grown from them may not flower in the first year, but if you’re patient and willing to put in the work, you can generate beautiful plants from seeds.

Sow Lavender seeds from February to May and September to November on the surface of moist seed compost and cover seeds with a sprinkling of vermiculite or finely sieved compost. Place the seed tray in a propagator or seal inside a clear polythene bag until germination. Keep the compost damp but not wet and do not exclude light as this helps germination.

When seedlings are large enough to handle, transplant into 7.5cm pots and grow lavender plants on in cooler conditions. When all risk of frost has passed, gradually acclimatise to outdoor conditions over 7 – 10 days before planting outdoors in full sun, in well drained soil.