What if you come across a plant that looks similar to Lavender but is different? It may have an odd shape, or its flowers lack the calming scent of Lavender. It might also be unsuitable for growing in your location due to climate or planting spots.
If this is the case, there are numerous options as alternatives with the same uses–culinary and medicinal. Six plant substitutes include Agastache, Tanacetum parthenium, Rosmarinus officinalis, Thymus vulgaris, Perovskia atriplicifolia, and Salvia pachyphylla.
They are hardy with foliage and flowers, good for pollinators, and make a spectacular show. So if you can’t grow Lavender, these substitutes promise an equally breathtaking display!
Russian Sage
Russian Sage looks similar to Lavender. It has silver-grey foliage, white stems, and small mauve flowers. This perennial dies down in winter for frost protection and returns in Spring up to 5 feet high.
People find it useful in pathways and flower beds near the border. Its leaves ward off insects like aphids or cabbage worms, and it attracts pollinators. It’s drought resistant once established, hardy in USDA Zones 5-10, and salt tolerant, making it ideal for coastal gardens.
It is not a true sage because it doesn’t come from Russia nor is part of the genus Salvia; though named by a Russian botanist, it’s native to Afghanistan, Iran, Pakistan, and Tibet.
Flowers have many uses; they can be used to scent and decorate potpourri, grace desserts, or add flavor and vibrancy to salads.
The leaves should not be consumed, but they can keep pests away, such as ticks and fleas.
Techniques for growth
A sunny location and fertile soil are necessary for Russian Sage to thrive. It won’t thrive in too much shade, so give it plenty of sun. Keep soils moist while it’s establishing, but not overly wet.
When the new growth emerges in Spring, reduce the old stems to just a few of the lower leaves.
Pruning should be done during summer to encourage new growth, shape plants, and more flowers.
Plants can be divided in Spring or take cuttings and dip into root hormone to obtain more heads. Provide them with perfect growing conditions for the best results!
Hyssop
Hyssop (Hyssopus officinalis) is a perennial herb in the mint-sage family. It has many similarities to Lavender, including leaf shape and summer flowers in violet-blue, pink, and white. It includes medicinal benefits not found in Anise hyssop, another plant sometimes confused with true hyssop.
Hyssop has been used to help with respiratory troubles, as well as intestinal and liver conditions.
It also works as an ingredient in salads, soups, and stews and reduces the richness of fatty foods. The plant grows well in garden beds or containers with a large root system. It is hardy, tolerant to cold, and doesn’t need winter protection (USDA zones 3-11). It typically grows two feet tall and one foot wide.
Techniques for growth
Hyssop grows best in sunny or partially shady areas with well-draining, nutrient-rich soil. Once it’s established, it requires only minimal water and prefers dry conditions.
Divide plants in the fall and collect dry seeds for planting the following season. Prune heavily early/late Spring; fertilize with w/organic fertilizer several times during the growing season to encourage flowers.
Catmint
Catmint is a herbaceous perennial that looks like Lavender. It’s drought tolerant and has grey-green, heart-shaped leaves and Lavender flowers. Its genus—Nepeta—is named for a village north of Rome in Italy.
There are 250 species in the genus found in Europe, Asia, and Africa (USDA Zones 4 – 8). Catmint (Nepeta mussinii) isn’t to be confused with catnip (Nepeta cataria). Though they belong to the same mint family, catnip doesn’t have neat growth and usually has white flowers.
Cats may nibble it but don’t love it as much as catnip. Catmint can be used to make tea: calming effects with a minty taste and sweet scent that enhances flavorings.
Techniques for growth
Plant your sun-loving plants in Spring or fall for the best results. Put them 12 inches apart so they have room to grow. Before planting, enrich the soil with organic matter and water well.
These plants are very resilient once they’re established; they don’t need a lot of water or fertilizer. Deadhead spent blooms in summer to promote more flowering.
In the autumn, prune vigorously in order for plants to have a successful spring growth period.
If necessary, thin out crowded plants, or if mint becomes overly vigorous, pull some out as it has the potential to be invasive. With care, these plants will thrive in sunny conditions!
Rosemary
Rosemary is a tough herb related to Lavender. Its needle-like leaves sit on grey stems, and in Spring, clusters of pale purple-blue flowers appear. It originates from the Mediterranean. This hardy plant requires little water and copes with any weather.
For both culinary and medicinal use, Rosemary adds flavor to dishes like chicken and roasted veggies for well-being effects like improved memory, concentration, and stress relief.
Its scent lingers when brushed past, so it’s a common pathway companion. Rosemary can grow alongside Lavender–both require similar conditions–though some varieties are better adapted to cold temperatures – best grown in USDA Zones 8-11.
Techniques for growth
Rosemary is a sun-loving herb that’s easy to care for. It likes poor quality soil, as well as growing along the coast. Rosemary can grow up to six feet tall and almost as wide, so you’ll need some space for it to flourish. It’s disease-free and attracts pollinators.
The fragrant leaves of the plant also repel insects, which makes it a great companion for carrots.
Give it a good trim after flowering in Spring, or keep it tidy. Too much sun or wet soil will damage roots, so make sure your Rosemary gets well-draining soil in full sun for the best results!
Purple Salvias
Nearly 1000 species of Salvia are found in the Lamiaceae family. Salvia officinalis, commonly known as sage, has grey leaves and purplish-blue flowers similar to those of Lavender. There are many uses for this Mediterranean plant, which originated in the Mediterranean region.
Salvia lavandulifolia is most like Lavender– compact with narrow grey leaves and blue flowers in summer.
Depending on the cultivar, leaves can be a variety of colors as well as vibrant hues ranging from violet and pink to white and deep purple flowers. Certain varieties are more resilient to cold climates, while others thrive in the tropical heat.
Sage is popular for its beauty as herbs or in ornamental gardens. Medicinally they contain volatile oils and compounds that can help various health issues. The colorful blooms attract hummingbirds and butterflies. Experience the beauty of Salvia–in your garden or kitchen!
Techniques for growth
Choose a sunny spot with well-draining soil and add some organic material like compost. These flowers are drought and heat tolerant, so they won’t need much care once they’re established.
Feed them regularly and deadhead flowers to keep them looking attractive.
At the end of the season, you should let them sow seeds, then trim off any woody branches.
Every few years, divide in Spring before new growth starts; cover with a layer of compost for added nutrition. These steps will make sure your flowers thrive year after year.
Basil
Holy basil (Ocimum tenuiflorum or Ocimum sanctum) has a similar look to Lavender.
This herb is often known as perennial basil or Tulsi in Indian lingo.
People use it in religious ceremonies.
The mauve flowers of Holy basil attract bees, and the leaves are either green or purple.
Though not as frequently as sweet basil, you can slice them into sauces and pestos to flavor other herbs.
It’s a good garden plant, repelling pests like aphids, flies, and mites, plus improving the flavor of fruits and veggies near it.
It doesn’t do well outside tropical regions; houseplant for those areas instead. Cold-hardy it’s not, best in tropical and subtropical climates.
Techniques for growth
Holy basil should be exposed to sunlight and some partial shade, but it must be protected from the wind. Plant in compost-enriched soil with good drainage and water consistently.
Needs potassium-rich fertilizer monthly for healthy leaves and flowers–cut off dead blooms to encourage new ones and pinch out growing tips for bushy growth. Prune just before Spring and mid-summer, not the hardwood.
When you want more plants, take cuttings and keep them in water until they take root.