Lavender in Zone 6a & 6b
Lavandula angustifolia
Yes, lavender grows in zones 6a and 6b. Set out nursery plants May 2–May 9.
When to plant lavender in zone 6b
Zones 6a and 6b 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 2–May 9 |
| Estimated harvest | Aug 10–Aug 17 (~100 days after transplanting) |
Spacing: 1 per square foot (square-foot-gardening spacing). Mature height: 1-2.5 ft.
Plant alongside it in zone 6b
These go outside within two weeks of lavender in zone 6b, so one planting day can cover them.
- BasilMay 9–May 16
- BorageApr 25–May 2
- RosemaryMay 9–May 16
- DillApr 18–Apr 25
- CatmintMay 2–May 9
- Citronella Plant (Mosquito Plant)May 2–May 9
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 6's season
Zone 6b's frost-free window runs about 173 days, from April 25 to October 15. Lavender needs about 100 days from transplant to first harvest.
Lavender planting windows in every zone
Zone 6b 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 | Buy as a start | May 17–May 24 | Aug 25–Sep 1 |
| 6a & 6b (your zone) | 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.
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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)
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Growing Lavender in USDA zone 6b: when to start seeds indoors, when to direct-sow, and when to expect a harvest.
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