Grosso

Family: Lamiaceae Herb

Planting Schedule

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Breathe in the unmistakable, cool-sweet perfume of Grosso Lavender—an aromatic standout with long, richly colored flower spikes that hold their fragrance as they dry.

Expect a dense, upright habit with silvery foliage that feels softly velvety to the eye, and blossoms that deliver a concentrated, floral-lavender character. Grow Grosso for its showy, long-lasting blooms in the garden and for fragrant potpourri and sachets, or to scent your favorite homemade aromatic blends.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 365 DaysHabit: Shrub

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Grosso Planting Dates by USDA Zone

Estimated US hardiness-zone windows for sow, transplant, and harvest. Enter a US ZIP above for exact local dates, or open a zone below.

Zone	Start Indoors	Sow / Transplant	Harvest
Zone 1a	Direct Sow	Jun 15th	Jun 15th – Jul 15th
Zone 1b	Direct Sow	Jun 1st	Jun 1st – Aug 1st
Zone 2a	Direct Sow	May 25th	May 25th – Aug 29th
Zone 2b	Direct Sow	May 15th	May 15th – Aug 25th
Zone 3a	Direct Sow	May 15th	May 15th – Sep 1st
Zone 3b	Direct Sow	May 19th	May 19th – Sep 21st
Zone 4a	Direct Sow	May 15th	May 15th – Sep 24th
Zone 4b	Direct Sow	May 13th	May 13th – Sep 27th
Zone 5a	Direct Sow	May 8th	May 8th – Sep 30th
Zone 5b	Direct Sow	May 4th	May 4th – Oct 5th
Zone 6a	Direct Sow	May 1st	May 1st – Oct 10th
Zone 6b	Direct Sow	Apr 25th	Apr 25th – Oct 16th
Zone 7a	Direct Sow	Apr 20th	Apr 20th – Oct 20th
Zone 7b	Direct Sow	Apr 10th	Apr 10th – Oct 28th
Zone 8a	Direct Sow	Apr 1st	Apr 1st – Nov 5th
Zone 8b	Direct Sow	Mar 23rd	Mar 23rd – Nov 12th
Zone 9a	Direct Sow	Mar 6th	Mar 6th – Nov 26th
Zone 9b	Direct Sow	Feb 9th	Feb 9th – Dec 9th
Zone 10a	—	Oct 1st	Feb 28th – Feb 28th
Zone 10b	—	Oct 1st	Feb 28th – Feb 28th
Zone 11a	—	Oct 1st	Feb 28th – Feb 28th
Zone 11b	—	Oct 1st	Feb 28th – Feb 28th
Zone 12a	—	Oct 1st	Feb 28th – Feb 28th
Zone 12b	—	Oct 1st	Feb 28th – Feb 28th
Zone 13a	—	Oct 1st	Feb 28th – Feb 28th
Zone 13b	—	Oct 1st	Feb 28th – Feb 28th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	365
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Shrub
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	70
Min Soil Temp (°F)	60
Min Night Temp (°F)	45
Harden Off (days)	Not Required

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Grosso’s strength is in its perfume—cool-sweet, floral, and stubbornly aromatic—so treat it like a spice rather than a herb and dose carefully. When you want lavender to read clearly (not muddied), it shines alongside honey, lemon, vanilla, and chocolate where sweetness and acidity keep it clean.

Best Uses

lightly flavoring custards and crème brûlée (use sparingly; the perfume can dominate)
stirring into honey or simple syrup for tea service and cake soaking
infusing whipped cream or butter for shortbread and scones
drying the flower spikes for small-batch sachet-style dessert infusions

Flavor Profile

cool, sweet lavender aroma concentrated floral-lavender character silky, slightly soapy floral finish

Kitchen Pairings

honey lemon dark chocolate vanilla almond baking cream

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease most commonly affects Lavandula × intermedia (Grosso), and how do I manage it?

The most common problem is root rot from poorly drained soil, which shows up as sudden wilting, yellowing, and blackened roots. Water only when the top 1–2 inches of soil are dry, plant in fast-draining ground or raised beds, and avoid wet foliage. If plants decline despite good drainage, remove the affected stems/plant and replant in fresh, well-drained soil to prevent spreading.

How often should I water Grosso lavender during the main growing season?

During active growth, water deeply about once every 7–14 days, but only when the top 1–2 inches of soil feel dry. Grosso (Lavandula × intermedia) tolerates drought once established, so frequent light watering can keep roots too wet and increase rot risk. In hot, windy weather you may need the shorter end of that range; in cool or rainy periods, pause watering entirely.

How can I tell when Grosso lavender is ready to harvest?

Harvest when most flower spikes are in color but the lower florets haven’t opened fully—about when the buds on the spike start to swell and the first flowers begin to show. Use a gentle touch: the spikes should feel firm, not papery or dried out. For best fragrance, cut on a dry morning and harvest before full bloom for the most consistent oil-quality.