Heirloom

Munstead-Type

Lavandula angustifolia

Wikimedia Commons

A strain of English lavender with a compact, bushy habit. Nice range of bloom colors, from pale blue to dark violet. Usually begins flowering in the second year. Hardy in Zones 5-8, but can survive Zone 4 winters when mulched or grown in a well-drained, south-facing location. Also available in organic seed. Edible Flowers: The flowers can be used to garnish desserts and as a distinct flavor element in baked goods. Flavor is sweet and floral and pairs well with citrus, berries, nuts, mint, and cinnamon.

Harvest

100-110d

Days to harvest

📅

Sun

Full sun to partial shade

☀️

Zones

5–9

USDA hardiness

🗺️

Height

12-24 inches

📏

Planting Timeline

Zone:

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Start Indoors

Transplant

Harvest

Start Indoors

Transplant

Harvest

Showing dates for Munstead-Type in USDA Zone 7

All Zone 7 herb →

Zone Map

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Munstead-Type · Zones 5–9

What grows well in Zone 7? →

Growing Details

Difficulty

Easy

Spacing18-24 inches

SoilWell-drained soil, slightly acidic to neutral

WaterDrought tolerant once established

SeasonPerennial

FlavorSweet and floral, pairs well with citrus, berries, nuts, mint, and cinnamon.

ColorPale blue to dark violet

Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar

Zone	Indoor Start	Transplant	Direct Sow	Harvest
Zone 3	April – May	June – July	—	July – October
Zone 4	March – April	June – July	—	July – October
Zone 5	March – April	May – June	—	June – October
Zone 6	March – April	May – June	—	June – November
Zone 7	February – March	April – June	—	June – November
Zone 8	February – March	April – May	—	May – December
Zone 9	January – February	March – April	—	April – December
Zone 10	January – January	February – April	—	April – December

Complete Growing Guide

Light: Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day), Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours). Soil: Loam (Silt), Sand, Shallow Rocky. Soil pH: Alkaline (>8.0), Neutral (6.0-8.0). Drainage: Good Drainage. Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.. Spread: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.. Spacing: 12 inches-3 feet. Growth rate: Medium. Maintenance: Low. Propagation: Division, Seed, Stem Cutting. Regions: Coastal, Mountains, Piedmont.

Harvesting

Munstead-Type reaches harvest at 100 - 110 days from sowing per Johnny's Selected Seeds.

Fruits are non-ornamental nutlets.

Type: Capsule.

Storage & Preservation

# Storage and Preservation

Harvest Munstead lavender buds just as they begin to open for maximum fragrance and flavor. Store fresh stems in a cool, dry place (50–60°F, 40–50% humidity) in paper bags or loosely tied bundles; they'll hold for up to two weeks. For longer preservation, hang-dry bundles upside down in a well-ventilated room away from direct sunlight—this concentrates essential oils and takes two to three weeks. Dried buds retain quality for 12 months in airtight glass containers kept in a dark cupboard. Freezing works well for culinary applications: strip buds from stems, freeze in ice cube trays with water or honey, then transfer to freezer bags for up to eight months. Munstead's compact growth and prolific blooming make it ideal for drying in bulk; a single mature plant yields enough for a full year of tea and cooking use without noticeable depletion.

History & Origin

Munstead-Type is open-pollinated, meaning seed saved from healthy plants will produce true-to-type offspring. Listed in the Johnny's Selected Seeds catalog.

Origin: Mediterranean region France, Italy, Spain

Advantages

+Compact bushy habit makes it ideal for small gardens and containers
+Attractive range of bloom colors from pale blue to dark violet
+Hardy across Zones 5-8 with winter protection possible in Zone 4
+Edible flowers add sweet floral flavor to desserts and baked goods
+Begins flowering in second year with relatively easy 100-110 day growth

Considerations

-Requires well-drained soil and struggles in wet or poorly-draining conditions
-Needs full sun exposure and south-facing location for optimal performance
-Flowering delay until second year means patience required before harvesting blooms

Companion Plants

Roses are a well-worn pairing, and it holds up: lavender's volatile oils — primarily linalool and camphor — appear to disorient aphids and thrips before they settle on nearby canes. Thyme and oregano work for a simpler reason: all three are Mediterranean plants that want dry feet, full sun, and lean soil, so they're not pulling against each other at the root level. Mint is a different problem — it spreads through underground runners fast enough to physically crowd out lavender within a single growing season, so keep it at least 3 feet back. Hostas fail as neighbors because they need consistent moisture and shade, and planting them next to lavender guarantees one of the two is always in the wrong conditions.

Plant Together

Roses

Lavender repels aphids and other pests that commonly attack roses

Cabbage

Deters cabbage moths and other brassica pests with its strong scent

Tomatoes

Repels whiteflies and may improve tomato flavor and growth

Carrots

Helps deter carrot fly and other root pests

Thyme

Both Mediterranean herbs with similar growing requirements and pest-repelling properties

Oregano

Compatible growing conditions and combined aromatic oils enhance pest deterrence

Broccoli

Lavender's scent helps repel cabbage worms and flea beetles

Lettuce

Provides beneficial shade and deters slugs and snails

Keep Apart

Mint

Aggressive spreader that can outcompete lavender and prefers different moisture levels

Impatiens

Requires high moisture and humidity that can cause root rot in lavender

Hostas

Needs consistent moisture and shade, opposite of lavender's dry, sunny requirements

Nutrition Facts

Calories

23kcal(1%)

Protein

3.15g(6%)

Fiber

1.6g(6%)

Carbs

2.65g(1%)

Fat

0.64g(1%)

Vitamin C

18mg(20%)

Vitamin A

264mcg(29%)

Vitamin K

415mcg(346%)

Iron

3.17mg(18%)

Calcium

177mg(14%)

Potassium

295mg(6%)

Per 100g serving. % Daily Value based on 2,000 calorie diet. Source: USDA FoodData Central (FDC #172232)

Troubleshooting Munstead-Type

What you'll see, why it happens, and what to do about it.

Stems turn black and shrunken at the base, plant collapses — seedlings most vulnerable in the first few weeks

Likely Causes

Damping off (Pythium spp. or Rhizoctonia solani) — triggered by overly wet, poorly drained soil
Starting seeds in trays with no bottom drainage, or overwatering after germination

What to Do

1.Pull and discard the affected plant; don't compost it
2.Let the soil dry out between waterings — lavender wants to be on the dry side, not the wet side
3.Start seeds in a well-draining mix (at least 30% perlite) and avoid misting trays more than once a day

Plant looks stunted and spindly, foliage pale, stems flop rather than hold their 12–24 inch upright shape

Likely Causes

Insufficient light — lavender placed in fewer than 6 hours of direct sun weakens quickly, per NC State Extension's IPM guidance on misplaced sun-loving plants
Overfertilizing with nitrogen, which produces lush, soft growth that can't support itself

What to Do

1.Move the plant to a spot with at least 6 hours of full sun; partial shade is the floor, not the preference
2.Cut back on any nitrogen fertilizer — lavender is a lean-soil plant and doesn't need feeding beyond an annual top-dress of compost
3.Cut the spindly growth back by about one-third in early spring to encourage tighter, woody structure

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does Munstead-Type lavender take to flower from seed?▼

Munstead-Type lavender typically begins flowering in the second year of growth. From seed to harvest, expect 100-110 days for plant maturity, though flowering may not occur until the following season. This is normal for lavender varieties and worth the wait for their beautiful blooms.

Is Munstead-Type lavender good for beginner gardeners?▼

Yes, Munstead-Type is excellent for beginners. It's classified as an easy-to-grow variety with hardy characteristics. Once established, it's low-maintenance and drought tolerant. The compact, bushy habit makes it forgiving, and it thrives in full sun with minimal fussing, making it perfect for novice growers.

Can you grow Munstead-Type lavender in containers?▼

Yes, Munstead-Type's compact, bushy growth habit makes it ideal for container gardening. Use well-draining potting soil and containers with drainage holes. Lavender thrives in pots on patios, balconies, or windowsills with adequate sunlight. Container-grown plants are easy to move and protect during harsh winters.

What do Munstead-Type lavender flowers taste like?▼

The flowers have a sweet, floral flavor profile. They pair beautifully with citrus, berries, nuts, mint, and cinnamon, making them excellent for culinary applications. Use them to garnish desserts, infuse baked goods, or add a delicate floral note to beverages and creams.

When should I plant Munstead-Type lavender seeds?▼

Start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before your last spring frost, or direct sow after the last frost date. Lavender seeds benefit from light and warmth for germination. In mild climates, you can sow in fall for spring germination. Space plants 18-24 inches apart for their mature bushy size.

Is Munstead-Type lavender hardy in cold climates?▼

Munstead-Type is hardy in Zones 5-8 and can survive Zone 4 winters with protection. Mulch around plants or grow in well-drained, south-facing locations to improve winter survival. The English lavender strain is more cold-tolerant than Mediterranean varieties, making it suitable for northern gardens.