Lavandula pedunculata
TAXONOMY
FamilyLamiaceae
GenusLavandula
Zone8
LEARN MORE
Plants of the World OnlineABOUT
Lavandula pedunculata, commonly called topped lavender or butterfly lavender (a member of the Lavandula stoechas group), is an evergreen Mediterranean subshrub in the mint family (Lamiaceae). It is native to the Iberian Peninsula and Northwest Africa and is characterized by showy flower spikes topped with conspicuous bracts that resemble “rabbit ears.” It thrives in hot, dry, sunny sites, is highly drought tolerant, and dislikes cold, wet winters and high humidity. It remains evergreen in mild climates and slows growth in winter without a strict dormancy.
ALSO KNOWN AS
Butterfly Lavender
French Lavender
Italian Lavender
Papillon Lavender
Spanish Lavender
Lavandula eliasii
Lavandula stoechas subsp. pedunculata
Lavandula stoechas var. pedunculata
Stoechas pedunculata
OVERVIEW
VPDCalculate
WaterVery Dry
SoilSandy
LightDirect Bright (8 Hours)
Temperature22° C
Humidity45%
pH7.5
Pressure1,013 mbar
DETAILS
Care Instructions
Provide full sun with abundant direct light and very good air circulation. Water sparingly, allowing the soil to dry well between waterings; avoid waterlogging and overhead irrigation. Keep in moderate, warm temperatures and relatively low humidity. Protect from prolonged freezes and winter wet, and rotate containers or provide supplemental light if growing indoors to prevent legginess.Soil
Use a very free-draining, gritty mix—sandy or rocky loam amended with coarse mineral material (pumice, grit, or perlite). Slightly alkaline to neutral conditions suit it best; it tolerates chalky soils. Avoid heavy clay and any situation that stays wet; raised beds or terracotta containers with ample drainage work well.Fertilizer
Feed lightly, if at all. Use a low-nitrogen, higher phosphorus and potassium formula in early spring to support flowering (e.g., a diluted 5-10-10). Avoid frequent or high-nitrogen fertilization, which promotes weak, leafy growth and reduces bloom and fragrance.Repotting
Repot container plants every 1–2 years in spring into a slightly larger terracotta pot with a fresh, very well-drained mix. Loosen the root ball gently, remove spent or circling roots, and ensure excellent drainage. Do not overpot; lavender prefers a snug container with fast-drying media.Propagation
Best propagated by cuttings: take non-flowering softwood cuttings in late spring or semi-hardwood cuttings in summer. Insert into a gritty, free-draining medium, keep bright but out of harsh sun, and maintain even but light moisture until rooted. Seeds are possible but slow and variable.Pruning
Lightly shear after main flowering to remove spent spikes and maintain a compact mound. Avoid cutting into old, leafless wood. A light formative trim again in late summer helps keep plants dense and encourages next season’s blooms.Toxicity
Lavender contains linalool and linalyl acetate, which can cause mild gastrointestinal upset if ingested by pets (cats and dogs) and sensitive individuals. Generally non-irritating to skin, but essential oils are more potent. Keep pets from chewing large amounts of foliage or flowers.Additional
Plant in the sunniest, driest spot available; gravel mulch around the crown helps keep stems dry. Avoid organic mulches that hold moisture against the base. In humid or wet climates, prioritize airflow, sharp drainage, and lean soils to prevent root and stem rot; winter wet is the main cause of losses.REVOLUTIONIZE YOUR PLANT CARE
Make Every Plant Smart
Plant Monitor
STAYS IN YOUR PLANT
Accurately measures the core metrics of your plant – soil moisture, light, temperature and humidity - as well as compound metrics such as Vapor Pressure Deficit (VPD) and Growing Degree Days (GDD).
Shop Now
