When to Plant Lavender
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GardenSays
Start lavender seeds indoors Mar 24 – Apr 7; transplant once frost danger is past and soil has warmed to ~55°F — typically May 5 – May 26 here.
- Start seeds indoors
- Mar 24 – Apr 7
- Transplant outside
- May 5 – May 26
- Last frost (typ.)
- May 5
In Minneapolis, MN, the typical last frost lands around May 5. Working back 4-6 weeks from transplant time gives you a seed-starting window of Mar 24 – Apr 7 indoors. Lavender plants are tolerant of light frost, so wait for two conditions — frost danger past AND soil around 55°F — which here typically means May 5-May 26.
- This year's transplant window (May 5 – May 26) has passed — dates shown are for planning next season.
Do this this week
- 1.Passed for this season — plan next spring: start seeds indoors ~Mar 24 – Apr 7, transplant ~May 5 – May 26
Calculated result · 3 verified sources · Checked 2026-07-16 · How we decide
Why
That leaves roughly 132 days of growing season before the typical first fall frost (Oct 5) — enough for most varieties. In a short-season area, favor early-maturing varieties (check the days-to-maturity on the tag).
- Frost kills tender seedlings outright, and cold soil stunts them even without frost — both dates matter.
- The 50% frost date is a planning midpoint: a late frost is still possible, so keep covers handy for the first two weeks.
When this doesn't apply
- Never plant lavender in winter — young plants rot in cold, wet soil (RHS). Heavy clay or winter-waterlogged spots will kill it regardless of timing.
- Season extenders (row covers, walls of water, cold frames) let you plant 2-3 weeks earlier than these windows.
- Frost dates are area averages — low spots and valley floors run colder than the local average.
How this was calculated
- 1. Last spring frostMay 5Source guidance
Minneapolis, MN: typical (50% probability) last 32°F frost
- 2. Seed starting windowMar 24 – Apr 7Calculated result
Lavender: start indoors 4-6 weeks before your typical transplant date
- 3. Transplant windowMay 5 – May 26Calculated result
Lavender is tolerant of light frost: go out 0-21 days after the last frost, once soil reaches 55°F
- 4. First fall frostOct 5Source guidance
Minneapolis, MN: typical first 32°F frost in fall — the season's endpoint
Data sources
- Royal Horticultural Society — How to grow lavender — Lavender is best planted in April or May as the soil naturally warms up, and never in winter when young plants are vulnerable to rotting in cold, wet soils. (checked 2026-07-16)
- NOAA NCEI — 1991-2020 U.S. Climate Normals (freeze date probabilities) (checked 2026-07-15)
- National Gardening Association — frost date lookup (checked 2026-07-15)
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