Lavender in Zone 5a & 5b
Lavandula angustifolia
Yes, lavender grows in zones 5a and 5b. Set out nursery plants May 17–May 24.
When to plant lavender in zone 5b
Zones 5a and 5b share the same average frost dates, so this page covers both.
Method: Buy as a start: Buy as a nursery start and transplant outside. It's slow or unreliable from seed, so most gardeners skip seed-starting it entirely.
| Start indoors | Not started from seed; buy as a nursery start |
|---|---|
| Direct sow / transplant outside | May 17–May 24 |
| Estimated harvest | Aug 25–Sep 1 (~100 days after transplanting) |
Spacing: 1 per square foot (square-foot-gardening spacing). Mature height: 1-2.5 ft.
Plant alongside it in zone 5b
These go outside within two weeks of lavender in zone 5b, so one planting day can cover them.
- BasilMay 24–May 31
- BorageMay 10–May 17
- RosemaryMay 24–May 31
- DillMay 3–May 10
- CatmintMay 17–May 24
- Citronella Plant (Mosquito Plant)May 17–May 24
Lavender is grown as much for its fragrance and pollinator appeal as for culinary use, and it's one of the few herbs on this site where getting the soil conditions right matters more than getting the timing right.
How lavender fits zone 5's season
Zone 5b's frost-free window runs about 148 days, from May 10 to October 5. Lavender needs about 100 days from transplant to first harvest.
Lavender planting windows in every zone
Zone 5b is highlighted. Useful for comparing against a neighbouring zone, or for a garden somewhere else.
| Zone | Start indoors | Sow or plant out | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5a & 5b (your zone) | Buy as a start | May 17–May 24 | Aug 25–Sep 1 |
| 6a & 6b | Buy as a start | May 2–May 9 | Aug 10–Aug 17 |
| 7a & 7b | Buy as a start | Apr 17–Apr 24 | Jul 26–Aug 2 |
| 8a & 8b | Buy as a start | Apr 1–Apr 8 | Jul 10–Jul 17 |
| 9a & 9b | Buy as a start | Feb 22–Mar 1 | Jun 2–Jun 9 |
| 10a & 10bFall window | Buy as a start | Oct–Apr | ~100 days after transplanting |
Harvest dates are about 100 days after the sow or plant-out date.
Good companions
- Cabbage: Reputed to repel moths, aphids, and whiteflies near brassicas.
Where to buy lavender starts
Lavender is almost always bought as a nursery start rather than seeded. Check a local nursery or garden center; we haven't vetted online start/plant suppliers yet.
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Some links on this page also go to other retailers we may earn a commission from as an affiliate, at no extra cost to you. We only recommend products with a clear consensus of positive, independent reviews, or ones we bought and use ourselves. Each item on our gear page says which.
See it growing
Search YouTube for "growing lavender" videos → (a live search, not a hand-picked video; results vary and aren't vetted by us)
← Back to the full zone 5b calendar · Plan your beds in the Garden Designer →
Pin this for later
Growing Lavender in USDA zone 5b: when to start seeds indoors, when to direct-sow, and when to expect a harvest.
Save to Pinterest