Lavandula canariensis
Lavandula canariensis
Safety & Hazards
None known
Cultivation Details
Lavandula canariensis is a plant of arid regions in the subtropical zone. It is not very cold-hardy and in cooler temperate regions it only succeeds outdoors as a summer bedding plant, though it will overwinter in a cold greenhouse[1]. Requires a sunny, sheltered position in a very well-drained soil. The seven subspecies are as follows:- Lavandula canariensis subsp. canariae Upson & S.Andrews. Found on Northern Gran Canaria, this highly aromatic form grows up to 100cm tall and 160cm wide. This subspecies is classified as 'Near Threatened' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2004)[1]. Lavandula canariensis subsp. canariensis. Found on Tenerife, this is the typical subspecies, growing up to 100cm tall[2]. Lavandula canariensis subsp. fuerteventurae Upson & S.Andrews. Found on Fuerteventura, it is an aromatic shrub up to 200cm tall. This subspecies is classified as 'Vulnerable' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2004)[1]. Lavandula canariensis subsp. gomerensis Upson & S.Andrews. Found on La Gomera, it can grow around 80 - 160cm tall and 80 - 110cm wide. This form is said to be totally lacking in aroma. This subspecies is classified as 'Near Threatened' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2004)[1]. Lavandula canariensis subsp. hierrensis Upson & S.Andrews, Found on El Hierro, it is an aromatic plant around 50 - 100cm tall. This subspecies is classified as 'Near Threatened' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2004)[1]. Lavandula canariensis subsp. lancerottensis Upson & S.Andrews. Found on Lanzarote and growing around 50 - 100cm tall. This subspecies is classified as 'Vulnerable' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2004)[1]. Lavandula canariensis subsp. palmensis Upson & S.Andrews. Found on La Palma, it usually grows around 60 - 80cm tall, occasionally reaching 150cm. This subspecies is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2004)[1].
Propagation
Seed - sow spring in a greenhouse and only just cover the seed[3]. It usually germinates in 1 - 3 months at 15°c. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse or cold frame for their first winter, planting them out in late spring after the last expected frosts. Cuttings of half-ripe wood 7 - 10cm with a heel, mid summer in a frame. Usually very easy, a high percentage will root within a few weeks[4]. Grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter and plant them out in late spring after the last expected frosts. Cuttings 7cm with a heel succeed at almost any time of the year[5]. Layering. Cite as: Temperate Plants Database, Ken Fern. temperate.theferns.info. 2026-02-21. <temperate.theferns.info/plant/Lavandula+canariensis>
Pollinators
Bees, Insects
References
- [1]The Genus Lavendula — Upson T. & Andrews S. · Timber Press; Portland, Oregon · 2004 · ISBN 0-88192-642-6 ↩︎Very detailed study of the genus, its species and hybrids. An excellent work, very well illustrated
- [2]Heliopsis longipes: anti-arthritic activity evaluated in a Freund’s adjuvant-induced model in rodents — Escobedo-Martínez C. et al · 2017 · http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.bjp.2016.09.003 ↩︎
- [3]A Modern Herbal. — Grieve. · Penguin · 1984 · ISBN 0-14-046-440-9 ↩︎Not so modern (1930's?) but lots of information, mainly temperate plants.
- [4]Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. — Sheat. W. G. · MacMillan and Co · 1948 · ISBN - ↩︎A bit dated but a good book on propagation techniques with specific details for a wide range of plants.
- [5]RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 — F. Chittendon. · Oxford University Press · 1951 · ISBN - ↩︎Comprehensive listing of species and how to grow them. Somewhat outdated, it has been replaced in 1992 by a new dictionary (see [ 200 ]).