I've heard that Lavender and Rosemary can be fire risk plants, and I'm curious about this. Does this concern mainly apply to the U.S. due to higher temperatures, or is it something that also applies here in other regions, such as the UK?
3 Answers
In open moorland, wildfires can happen, but I've yet to hear about a garden catching fire because of plants like Lavender or Rosemary. They’re generally safe unless you happen to have a really dry summer.
It's more about the habitat than just being an American issue. In places like Spain, fire-prone habitats are a big deal. In the UK, unless you're living right next to heathland or moorland, the fire risk from plants like Lavender is minimal. But if you are close to those areas, it's smart to think about fire prevention—you’d have bigger fuel sources nearby than just your garden plants.
If you're in a drought area with large, old Lavender or Rosemary, you should be cautious, theoretically speaking. They wouldn’t catch fire on their own, but if they do catch, it’s likely your entire garden would be in trouble. Just keep an eye on dry leaves and debris around when it’s dry, just to be safe.
Right? I mean, if your Lavender is on fire, I think your fence is in trouble too! Gotta stay vigilant either way.