Lavender: vase life, season, meaning and care for florists
Lavandula angustifolia
Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia, family Lamiaceae) usually lasts 7–10 days in a vase. In season: Summer. Fragrance: strong. Typical role in a design: filler flower.
- Botanical name
- Lavandula angustifolia
- Family
- Lamiaceae
- Accepted name
- Lavandula angustifolia Mill.
- Role in a design
- Filler flower
- Vase life
- 7–10 days
- In season
- Summer
- Fragrance
- Strong
- Colours
- purple
- Meaning
- Calm and devotion
- Type
- Cut flower
- Pets
- Mildly toxic to cats and dogs if eaten
Cut flower commercial monograph
- Official name
- Lavender
- Botanical name
- Lavandula angustifolia
- Family
- Lamiaceae
- Aliases
- None
- Native origin
- Temperate and subtropical regions worldwide
- Growth habit
- Herbaceous perennial or biennial with sturdy, upright flowering stems.
- Stem length
- 50–70 cm
- Natural colours
- Purple
- Natural bloom
- Natural flowering in summer
- Commercial supply
- Peak in summer
- Harvest stage
- Harvest when buds show true colour and outer petals loosen (Stage 2–3).
- Vase life
- 7–10 days
- Cold storage
- Cold storage suitable (2–5°C constant temperature, high humidity).
- Special care
- Keeps better dry than wet. If used fresh, give it very little water and change it often; otherwise hang it upside down to dry.
- Application
- Serves primarily as Filler flower in modern floristry, ideal for table arrangements and event designs.
- Market notes
- Keeps better dry than wet. If used fresh, give it very little water and change it often; otherwise hang it upside down to dry.
For florists
Try Lavender in a client design
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Try it as a design — freeCare and conditioning
- Keeps better dry than wet. If used fresh, give it very little water and change it often; otherwise hang it upside down to dry.
- Lavender is mildly toxic to cats and dogs: remind clients with pets to keep it out of reach.
- Lavender is strongly scented and is a poor fit for hospital visits or condolences.
- Lavender dries well: hang small bunches upside down in a dark, airy place for two to three weeks.
Where it fits
| Use | Why | |
|---|---|---|
| Hospital visits and condolences | ✕ | Strongly scented — it can bother patients and roommates. |
| Weddings | ✓ | No pollen staining, and it lasts long enough to make up a day ahead. |
| Dining tables and restaurants | ✕ | Strong fragrance competes with food and wine. |
| Homes with cats or dogs | ! | Mildly toxic if eaten — advise keeping it out of reach. |
| Making ahead and next-day delivery | ✓ | About 7–10 days in a vase — fine to make up a day ahead. |
Pairs well with
These are available at the same time as lavender and have a similar vase life (foliage lasts at least as long), so the arrangement ages evenly:
| Flower | Role | Vase life |
|---|---|---|
| Lily | Focal flower | 7–10 days |
| Lisianthus | Focal flower | 7–14 days |
| Siam tulip (Curcuma) | Focal flower | 7–14 days |
| Hosta leaves | Foliage | 7–14 days |
| Sweet flag (acorus) | Foliage | 7–14 days |
| Powdery thalia | Foliage | 7–14 days |
Substitutes
When lavender is unavailable, out of season or priced up before a holiday, these fill the same role at the same time of year:
| Flower | Vase life | In season | Fragrance | Pets |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trachelium | 7–10 days | Summer | None | — |
| China aster | 7–10 days | Summer, Autumn | None | ✓ ASPCA non-toxic |
| Baby's breath | 7–10 days | Year-round | Light | — |
| Astrantia | 7–10 days | Summer | None | — |
FAQ
How long does lavender last in a vase?
Usually 7–10 days, depending on variety, origin and conditioning.
When is lavender in season?
In season in summer; at other times prices can run high or quality can vary.
How do you keep lavender fresh?
Keeps better dry than wet. If used fresh, give it very little water and change it often; otherwise hang it upside down to dry.
What does lavender symbolise?
Calm and devotion. Flower meanings are popular conventions and vary between cultures.
Is lavender toxic to cats or dogs?
Mildly toxic to cats and dogs if eaten.
What can I use instead of lavender?
Flowers with the same role, an overlapping season and a similar vase life: Trachelium, China aster, Baby's breath, Astrantia.
Can lavender be dried?
Yes. Hang small bunches upside down in a dark, airy place for two to three weeks.
Related guides
In season at the same time
SunflowerHydrangeaChamomileAstrantiaLove-lies-bleedingBells of IrelandBupleurumSiam tulip (Curcuma)