How to Grow Lavender in New Zealand
Needs full sun and sharp drainage, so it struggles in heavy or humid wet sites. Hidcote and Munstead are the most reliable English types for NZ; the flowers are edible and the plant helps repel moths and aphids.
When to plant lavender in New Zealand
Timing is everything in New Zealand, where the warm north and the cooler south are weeks apart. Sow or plant in these months for your region:
| Region | When to sow or plant |
|---|---|
| Northland | January, February, March, April, August, September, October |
| Auckland | January, February, March, April, August, September, October |
| Waikato & BoP | January, February, March, April, August, September, October |
| Wellington | January, February, March, April, August, September, October |
| Nelson & Marlborough | January, February, March, April, August, September, October |
| Canterbury | January, February, March, April, August, September, October |
| Otago & Southland | January, February, March, April, August, September, October |
| Central Otago | January, February, March, April, August, September, October |
Best lavender varieties for NZ
- Hidcote — Compact English lavender with dark violet-purple spikes and intense fragrance. Hardy and reliable in NZ gardens. (Oderings, Palmers)
- Munstead — Classic English lavender, lighter mauve-blue and slightly looser than Hidcote. Long-flowering and bee-friendly. (Oderings, garden centres)
- Grosso — Vigorous lavandin with long, highly fragrant stems. Ideal for hedging and mass planting. (Palmers, garden centres)
How to grow lavender
- Space plants about 60cm apart.
- Sow seed around 0.5cm deep.
- Position: full sun.
- Ready to harvest in roughly 90 days.
- Seeds germinate in about 21 days.
Companion planting
Grow lavender near: Brassicas, Tomato, Rosemary.
Pests and problems
Watch for: few pests. See our NZ pest and disease guide for organic control.
For a calendar tuned to your exact region, see the New Zealand planting guides or the Lavender plant page.
FAQ
When is the best time to plant lavender in New Zealand?
In the warm north (Auckland, Northland) sow in January, February, March, April, August, September, October. Cooler regions plant a little later. Check the table above for your region.
Where can I buy lavender seeds or plants in NZ?
Try Oderings, Palmers, garden centres.