Lavender in Zone 9a & 9b
Lavandula angustifolia
Yes, lavender grows in zones 9a and 9b. Set out nursery plants Feb 22–Mar 1.
When to plant lavender in zone 9b
Zones 9a and 9b 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 | Feb 22–Mar 1 |
| Estimated harvest | Jun 2–Jun 9 (~100 days after transplanting) |
Spacing: 1 per square foot (square-foot-gardening spacing). Mature height: 1-2.5 ft.
Plant alongside it in zone 9b
These go outside within two weeks of lavender in zone 9b, so one planting day can cover them.
- BasilMar 1–Mar 8
- BorageFeb 15–Feb 22
- RosemaryMar 1–Mar 8
- DillFeb 8–Feb 15
- Citronella Plant (Mosquito Plant)Feb 22–Mar 1
- Garlic Chives (Chinese Leeks)Feb 22–Mar 1
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 9's season
Zone 9b's frost-free window runs about 293 days, from February 15 to December 5. Lavender needs about 100 days from transplant to first harvest.
Lavender planting windows in every zone
Zone 9b 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 | 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 (your zone) | 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 9b calendar · Plan your beds in the Garden Designer →
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Growing Lavender in USDA zone 9b: when to start seeds indoors, when to direct-sow, and when to expect a harvest.
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