Want to frolic in the lavender fields? There’s no need to fly to Provence.
Turns out Texas is home to quite a few lavender farms where you can wander among the swaying blossoms, breathe in that soothing scent, and, of course, stock up on souvenirs — lavender soap, lavender lotion, lavender sleep spray…the calming smell really works with everything.
A good number of these farms can be found in the central part of the state in the Hill Country, where the dry soil and alkaline soil help the plant thrive, but you’ll also see some further north, around Abilene and Dallas.
If you haven’t seen one before, a lavender field in full bloom is truly a sight to behold as rows upon rows of beautiful, soft purple burst from the ground.
When is the season for lavender in Texas? Plan your trip between May and July for the best chance to see the lavender in bloom. You can also always check with the farm directly for updates on the blooming.
But, wait! Which farm in Texas can and should you go to? Here are some worth checking out!
1. Chappell Hill Lavender Farm
Location: Brenham
One of the most well-known lavender farms in the whole state, Chappell Hill Lavender Farm sits between Houston and Austin and makes for a nice spring or summer road trip stop if you’re traveling between the two big cities.
The farm is free to visit, and if you come during the right season you’ll have the chance to cut your own fresh lavender for $5 a bundle. The farm’s website has a whole page dedicated to blooming updates so you can keep a close watch on how the plants are doing.
Not cutting season? The farm and its gift shop are still open to the public from March through November, Thursday through Sunday, and you can enjoy the place by wandering about the fields, having a scenic picnic, or attending one of their educational seminars. Don’t forget to say hi to the trio of miniature goats who live on the farm!
Important note: If you’re planning on swinging by with 12 or more people in your crew, make sure to make an appointment in advance so that the farm can make the necessary preparations.
Related Read: The Ultimate Houston to Austin Road Trip Itinerary
2. Lavender Ridge Farms
Location: Gainesville
Close to the Texas-Oklahoma border, Lavender Ridge Farms was once a strawberry and melon farm, but now it’s a popular spot for guests to come and visit the lavender field.
If it’s blooming season, you’ll be able to cut some lavender bunches to take home, but the lavender experience doesn’t stop at the field. Head over to the farm’s cafe where you can sample some freshly made treats infused with the plant. A refreshing glass of lavender iced tea served alongside a lavender honey chicken salad sandwich and followed up with a slice of lavender cheesecake sounds pretty special, doesn’t it?
Aside from all of that, you can spend the rest of your visit checking out the resident animals, most of which have been either rescued or adopted, or doing some plant shopping at the garden center. Lavender Ridge Farms is open Friday through Sunday, and sorry, but you’ll have to leave your pup at home since there’s a no-pet policy.
Related Read: 10 Best Weekend Road Trips from San Antonio, Texas
3. Hill Country Lavender Farm
Location: Blanco
Hill Country Lavender Farm is located less than a 30-minute drive from many Hill Country towns: namely Blanco, Wimberley, Johnson City, and Dripping Springs. So basically, if you’re planning a getaway to this picturesque region of the state, it shouldn’t be too much of an inconvenience to swing by here. To make things even easier, you don’t need a reservation to visit and there’s no admission charge.
Interestingly, one of the founders of the farm got the idea for the place after seeing a lavender harvest in France. Today, the place has thousands of plants, drawing thousands of visitors during their regular opening season of April to August. Within that time period, abundant harvests mean the possibility to pick your own lavender.
If you’ve never cut lavender before, just ask the people in the shop and they’ll tell you what to do so you don’t damage the plant. And don’t forget to pack your picnic!
Related Read: 10 Gorgeous Texas Hill Country Cabin Rentals
4. Purple Cactus Lavender Farm
Location: Weimar
Maybe you haven’t heard of Weimar before, but surely you know Houston and San Antonio — the small Texas town is basically right smack in the middle of those cities. So what’s in Weimar? Purple Cactus Lavender Farm!
When it opened back in 2019, the family-owned and operated Purple Cactus Lavender Farm became the first lavender farm in Colorado County.
While it’s free to visit the farm, you may want to spend the five bucks to attend one of the tours so you can learn about lavender planting, harvesting, and more. It’s a pretty good deal considering tour guests get a glass of lavender lemonade and another lavender treat too. Keep an eye on their calendar for other fun events like a cooking with lavender class and a lavender drinkology lesson!
Related Read: The 5 Best Campervan Rentals in Dallas, Texas
5. Doe-Re-Mi Lavender Farm
Location: Yancey
Head southwest out of San Antonio, and you can get yourself over to Doe-Re-Mi Lavender Farm. This small, family-owned farm has over 20 varieties of lavender in its fields, which are made up of over 1,500 lavender plants. You can find your favorite if you come out here for some fresh cutting!
Bees sure do love their lavender, and this farm has made the most of that by installing an apiary on the property. Keep an eye out for some honey products coming to the farm’s little shop, but for now, you can definitely pick up a variety of lavender products and gardening accouterments.
Speaking of bees, let’s talk about the birds. Since the farm is positioned along the Central Flyway bird migration route, it’s possible to see dozens of different bird species here so birders stay alert!
Related Read: 7 Epic Places to Go Glamping Near San Antonio, Texas
6. Lacey Farms
Location: Burton
Lacey Farms — also known as The Barn at Lacey Farms — is most known for being a wedding venue. It’s quite the romantic spot if you’re going for a rustic theme, but it also happens to be a working lavender farm. Not too far from Lake Somerville and Brenham, Lacey Farms grows two kinds of lavender: Big Boy James and Phenomenal — yes, those are actually the names of the varieties.
From their 1,500 lavender plants, they handcraft many different kinds of products infused with lavender essential oil like soap, bath salts, linen spritzers, and sachets. You may even spot some of their products in a Kroger or Brookshire Brothers store, but you can also easily pick up some items from their online sop.
Related Read: 6 Awesome Campervan Rentals in Houston, Texas
7. Becker Vineyards
Location: Fredericksburg
If you’re headed to Fredericksburg for some wine as many Texans and non-Texans alike are wont to do, it’s only a matter of time before you come across the name Becker Vineyards. Founded in 1992, the popular, 56-acre vineyard hosts hourly guided tours on the weekends and a variety of wine tasting experiences. But enough about wine — let’s talk lavender.
Aside from its vineyards, this spot is also home to some fine Texas lavender fields, which guests are invited to walk amongst. Before you leave — or while you’re refilling your wine glass — you can pick up some lavender products in the tasting room. If you’re really into the subject of lavender, note that Becker Vineyards hosts an annual lavender festival, usually the first weekend of May, where you can attend talks, watch cooking demonstrations, and more.
Related Read: The 11 Best Small Towns in Texas To Visit This Year
8. Rockin’ H Lavender Farm
Location: Santa Anna
East of San Angelo, south of Abilene, and west of Waco is where you’ll find Rockin’ H Lavender Farm. Here, it’s Spanish and Grosso lavender that grow, but before you hop in the car to check out their fields, you should know that the farm is actually closed to the public. Instead, you need to make an appointment in advance, or you can book a stay at one of their casitas.
As a guest at one these quaint abodes, you’ll be treated to some pretty spectacular sunrises and sunsets, which you can enjoy from your private porch, and you can make use of an outdoor grill and the property’s pool. Of course, you’ll also be able to say that you stayed overnight at a real-life lavender farm.
Related Read: 5 Must-Do Scenic Train Rides in Texas
9. Rough Creek Lavender Fields
Location: Wimberley
Rough Creek Lavender Fields claims to be the oldest lavender farm in Wimberley Valley, an area in the heart of the Hill Country near the charming town of Wimberley. The property is also a working horse ranch.
As Rough Creek is a smaller tourist operation than some of the other lavender farms on this list, it’s a good idea to call ahead to see if visiting the fields is possible. In general, that’s a good rule to follow since the survival of the plants always depends on the weather.
If you can’t make it out to Rough Creek and want to try some of their lavender products, you can peruse their online shop. They ship with USPS, and you can also get in touch with them about international shipping.
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