Lavender Lavandula × intermedia 'Grosso'

👤 Non-toxic to humans

🐾 Non-toxic to pets

🌸 Blooming

🍪 Edible

‍🌱 Easy-care

ABOUT

Lavandula × intermedia 'Grosso', commonly known as the Grosso lavender, is a perennial shrub that boasts a robust and attractive appearance. This variety is distinguished by its silvery-green foliage, which sets a beautiful stage for the striking blooms it produces. The leaves possess a linear to lance-shaped form, emitting a pleasant, aromatic fragrance when they are crushed or brushed against. This lavender variant is particularly acclaimed for its flower spikes. The blossoms emerge in an uplifting shade of deep violet, characterized by their plumpness and dense arrangement along each spike. The flowers are highly prized not only for their visual appeal but also for their intense and enchanting scent. They tend to bloom in a pattern that crowns the tip of each stem, offering a spectacular display that draws bees and butterflies to the plant throughout the flowering season. Overall, the Grosso lavender possesses an elegant and structured presence in the garden, with the silvery foliage and vibrant purple flowers creating a contrast that can provide a focal point in a landscape setting. Its beauty and aromatic qualities make it a favored choice for gardeners and those looking to add a touch of charm to outdoor spaces.

Plant Info

Care

Common Problems

About this plant

Names
- Synonyms
  Lavandin 'Grosso', Dutch Lavender, French Lavender.
- Common names
  Lavandula × intermedia 'Grosso'.
Toxicity
- To humans
  Lavender (Lavandula × intermedia 'Grosso') is generally considered non-toxic to humans. The ingestion of small quantities of lavender is thought to be safe and is used in various culinary applications. However, consuming large amounts of lavender, especially in the form of concentrated oil or extracts, can potentially lead to toxicity and may cause symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and stomach pain. It is also important to note that some people might be allergic to lavender and can experience allergic reactions upon contact or ingestion.
- To pets
  Lavender is widely regarded as safe for most pets, with no severe toxicity risks under normal circumstances. Ingestion of small amounts of lavender by pets, such as cats and dogs, usually doesn't lead to poisoning. However, as with any plant, ingestion in large quantities could potentially cause mild gastrointestinal upset, such as vomiting or diarrhea. Essential oils and large amounts of lavender, nonetheless, should be used with caution around pets, as they can be more sensitive to the compounds in essential oils, which could potentially be harmful in concentrated forms.
Characteristics
- Life cycle
  Perennials
- Foliage type
  Evergreen
- Color of leaves
  Grey-green
- Flower color
  Purple
- Height
  2-3 feet (60-90 cm)
- Spread
  2-4 feet (60-120 cm)
- Plant type
  Shrub
- Hardiness zones
  5-9
- Native area
  Mediterranean

Benefits

General Benefits
- Aromatic presence: Lavender 'Grosso' has a strong, pleasant fragrance that is widely appreciated for its soothing and calming qualities.
- Landscape enhancement: The plant adds visual appeal to gardens with its silvery-green foliage and tall spikes of purple flowers.
- Attracts pollinators: Lavender 'Grosso' is known for attracting bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects to the garden.
- Drought tolerance: Once established, this plant is drought-resistant, making it a good choice for xeriscaping or low-water landscaping.
- Easy to grow: Lavender 'Grosso' is relatively easy to care for, requiring minimal maintenance under appropriate growing conditions.
- Long blooming period: The plant has a lengthy flowering season, often from early summer to early fall, providing extended garden interest.
- Culinary uses: The flowers of this lavender variety are edible and can be used to flavor baked goods, teas, and other dishes.
Medical Properties
- Antimicrobial: Lavender possesses antimicrobial properties that can inhibit the growth of certain bacteria and fungi.
- Anxiolytic: The scent of lavender is commonly associated with relaxation and anxiety relief.
- Sleep Aid: Lavender is often used to improve sleep quality and help treat insomnia by promoting relaxation.
- Analgesic: It may help relieve pain, particularly headaches or muscle pain when applied topically.
- Anti-inflammatory: Lavender can reduce inflammation and help in the treatment of skin conditions when used topically.
Air-purifying Qualities
This plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses
- Lavender sachets can be placed inside cupboards or drawers to impart fragrance to linens and clothes and to deter moths and other insects.
- Dried lavender flowers can be used in potpourri mixtures to add a calming scent to living spaces.
- Lavender-infused vinegar can be used as a natural fabric softener in laundry, adding a gentle fragrance to clothes.
- The plant can be incorporated into landscaping as a deer-resistant option due to its strong scent, which deters deer.
- Lavender buds can be used to create flavored sugars for use in baking or as a sweetener for teas and beverages.
- The essential oil derived from lavender can be added to natural cleaning solutions for a pleasant scent and its antibacterial properties.
- During small-scale composting, lavender clippings can be added to the compost pile to reduce odors and speed up the composting process.
- Lavender can be used in crafting homemade candles, providing a natural fragrance that relaxes and soothes.
- When included in floral arrangements, dried lavender adds a rustic charm and lasting fragrance to bouquets and centerpieces.
- Lavender stems can be used as natural fire starters for barbecues or fireplaces, adding a pleasant scent as they burn.

Interesting Facts

Feng Shui
Lavender is frequently used in Feng Shui to bring a sense of calm and purification to an area. It can be placed in the living space to promote a relaxing atmosphere, enhance sleep quality when kept in the bedroom, and to cleanse the air of negative energy.
Zodiac Sign Compitability
The lavender is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism
- Calmness and Serenity: Lavandula × intermedia 'Grosso', commonly known as Lavender, symbolizes tranquility. The scent of Lavender is renowned for its soothing properties, which helps to calm the mind and alleviate stress.
- Purity and Silence: The clean and fresh fragrance of Lavender is often associated with purity, while its quiet and unobtrusive growth habits represent silence and peace.
- Devotion and Love: Lavender also symbolizes devotion and an expression of love, often used in bouquets to convey a message of affectionate dedication.
- Healing and Recovery: Historically, Lavender has been used for its medicinal qualities, symbolizing healing and the recovery process, particularly in an emotional or spiritual sense.
- Protection: In folklore, Lavender was believed to ward off evil spirits, and planting it in one's garden or keeping it in the home was thought to provide protection.

💧

Every 1-2 weeks

Water

☀️

2500 - 10000 Lux

Light

💦️

Humidity

🪴

Every 2-3 years

Repotting

🌱️

Spring-Early Summer

Propogation

✂️️

As needed

Pruning

Water
Lavender plants, such as the Lavandula × intermedia 'Grosso', commonly known as 'Grosso' lavender, require watering about once every 1 to 2 weeks, depending on the climate and soil conditions, with less frequent watering needed in cooler, wetter climates. During the hottest parts of the summer, 'Grosso' lavender may need watering every week. When watering, give the plant a thorough soaking that reaches the roots, using approximately 1 gallon of water per plant. It is important to let the soil dry out between watering sessions, as lavender prefers drier conditions and does not tolerate wet feet.
Light
'Grosso' lavender thrives best in full sun conditions, requiring at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight daily. The best spot for this plant is in an area where it will receive unfiltered, continuous sunlight throughout the day, without being shaded by trees or buildings. This full sun exposure encourages healthy growth and optimal flower production.
Temperature
'Grosso' lavender performs best in a temperature range between 60°F and 70°F but can tolerate temperatures as low as 40°F and as high as 90°F. It's important to protect the plant from extreme cold, as temperatures below 20°F may damage or kill the plant. Ideal growing conditions for 'Grosso' lavender include warm days and cool nights.
Pruning
Pruning 'Grosso' lavender is essential for maintaining a compact, attractive shape and promoting vigorous bloom production. Prune the plant once a year, ideally in early spring just as new growth begins, cutting back by about one-third to one-half of the plant's height. Pruning at this time helps prevent the center of the plant from becoming woody and sparse. Additionally, light pruning after the first flowering can encourage a second bloom.
Cleaning
As needed
Soil
For Lavender 'Grosso', the best soil mix is well-draining with low to moderate fertility, such as a blend of coarse sand, peat, and perlite or compost. This lavender prefers a soil pH between 6.5 and 8.0.
Repotting
Lavender 'Grosso' typically requires repotting every 2-3 years. It is best to repot in the spring just before the new growth begins.
Humidity & Misting
Lavender 'Grosso' thrives best in drier conditions. The ideal humidity level for this plant is around 40-50%.
Suitable locations
- Indoor
  Place Lavender 'Grosso' in a sunny spot and keep soil dry.
- Outdoor
  Plant Lavender 'Grosso' in full sun, well-drained soil.
- Hardiness zone
  5-9 USDA
Life cycle
Lavandula × intermedia 'Grosso', commonly known as Lavandin 'Grosso', begins its life cycle as a seed, which after germination produces a small seedling. This seedling develops into a vegetative plant with characteristic silvery-green foliage and begins to form woody stems. As it matures, typically in the second year, it enters the flowering stage, producing long stems with dense spikes of aromatic purple flowers in the summer. After pollination, often by bees, the flowers produce seeds, which can be dispersed to give rise to new plants. Once the flowering season ends, the plant enters a period of dormancy during the colder months, although in milder climates it may retain its foliage year-round. Lavandin 'Grosso' is a perennial plant and can live several years, going through multiple cycles of growth and flowering.
Propogation
- Propogation time
  Spring-Early Summer
- The common plant known as Lavender 'Grosso' is typically propagated through softwood cuttings. This is usually done in the spring or early summer when the new growth is still flexible. To propagate, a gardener would select healthy, non-flowering stems and cut a 3 to 4-inch (8 to 10 cm) length, just below a node. All leaves from the lower half of the cutting should be removed and the base dipped in rooting hormone powder to encourage root development. The cutting is then planted in a mixture of perlite and peat moss to provide a well-draining medium, making sure at least one node is buried where the roots can form. The container is then placed in a warm, bright area but out of direct sunlight, and kept moist until rooting occurs, which is typically a few weeks.