Lavender in Zone 7a & 7b
Lavandula angustifolia
Yes, lavender grows in zones 7a and 7b. Set out nursery plants Apr 17–Apr 24.
When to plant lavender in zone 7b
Zones 7a and 7b 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 | Apr 17–Apr 24 |
| Estimated harvest | Jul 26–Aug 2 (~100 days after transplanting) |
Spacing: 1 per square foot (square-foot-gardening spacing). Mature height: 1-2.5 ft.
Plant alongside it in zone 7b
These go outside within two weeks of lavender in zone 7b, so one planting day can cover them.
- BasilApr 24–May 1
- BorageApr 10–Apr 17
- RosemaryApr 24–May 1
- DillApr 3–Apr 10
- CatmintApr 17–Apr 24
- Citronella Plant (Mosquito Plant)Apr 17–Apr 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 7's season
Zone 7b's frost-free window runs about 198 days, from April 10 to October 25. Lavender needs about 100 days from transplant to first harvest.
Lavender planting windows in every zone
Zone 7b 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 | Buy as a start | May 2–May 9 | Aug 10–Aug 17 |
| 7a & 7b (your zone) | 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)
← Back to the full zone 7b calendar · Plan your beds in the Garden Designer →
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Growing Lavender in USDA zone 7b: when to start seeds indoors, when to direct-sow, and when to expect a harvest.
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