5 Types of Lavender: A Complete Guide

Lavender is one of the most beloved and versatile plants in the world, cherished for its fragrant flowers, medicinal properties, and ornamental beauty. There are numerous types of lavender, each with its unique characteristics, growth habits, and uses. In this guide, we'll explore the most popular lavender types, providing you with the knowledge you need to choose the right variety for your garden or indoor space.

1. English Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)

English lavender is the quintessential variety that most people envision when they think of lavender. Known for its sweet, calming fragrance and stunning purple blooms, it is the most widely cultivated lavender species. Its versatility is unmatched, making it a favorite for both gardeners and those who enjoy crafting with lavender.

Popular Varieties:

• 'Hidcote': This variety is known for its deep purple flowers and compact growth, making it perfect for low hedges and borders. 'Hidcote' is one of the most popular English lavenders due to its rich color and strong fragrance.

• 'Munstead': Named after the garden of renowned British horticulturist Gertrude Jekyll, 'Munstead' is a compact variety with light purple flowers. It’s a robust plant that is ideal for cooler climates.

• 'Vera': This variety is often considered the true English lavender, with a highly aromatic oil that’s perfect for therapeutic and culinary uses.

Growing Conditions: English lavender thrives in full sun and well-drained soil with a slightly alkaline pH. It is hardy in USDA zones 5-8, making it suitable for cooler climates where other lavender types might struggle. To ensure optimal growth, plant English lavender in a location that receives at least six hours of direct sunlight daily. The soil should be sandy or loamy, as heavy clay soils can retain too much moisture, leading to root rot.

Uses: English lavender is incredibly versatile. Its fragrant flowers are used to produce essential oils, which are commonly used in aromatherapy, skincare products, and perfumes. The flowers can also be dried and used in sachets, potpourri, or culinary dishes, such as lavender-infused honey or baked goods. Additionally, English lavender is excellent for creating fragrant hedges, borders, or as a feature in a cottage garden.

2. French Lavender (Lavandula dentata)

French lavender stands out with its unique, toothed (or dentate) leaves, which give the plant a slightly different texture compared to other lavenders. This type is prized for its ornamental qualities rather than its fragrance, which is milder than that of English lavender. French lavender is a great choice for those looking to add visual interest to their garden with its long-lasting blooms.

Popular Varieties:

• 'Allwood': A hybrid variety known for its delicate fragrance and long flowering season. It’s often used in borders and containers.

• 'Linda Logan': This variety offers a striking appearance with its large, purple flower spikes and is often chosen for its ornamental value.

• 'Pure Harmony': Known for its compact growth and light-colored flowers, 'Pure Harmony' is ideal for small gardens or container planting.

Growing Conditions: French lavender thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, particularly in USDA zones 8-9, where warm, dry conditions are prevalent. It is less tolerant of cold than English lavender and may need to be brought indoors in colder climates. The soil should be kept on the drier side, as French lavender is prone to root rot if overwatered. It’s also more tolerant of humidity than other lavender varieties, making it a suitable choice for gardens in Mediterranean climates.

Uses: Primarily grown for its ornamental value, French lavender is often used in decorative potpourri, floral arrangements, and as an attractive container plant. While it doesn’t produce the high-quality oils of English lavender, its long blooming period and distinctive foliage make it a popular choice for gardeners looking to add texture and color to their landscape.

3. Spanish Lavender (Lavandula stoechas)

Spanish lavender is easily recognizable by its distinctive flower heads, which are topped with petal-like bracts resembling rabbit ears. This variety is particularly aromatic, though its scent is more pungent and less sweet than that of English lavender. Historically, Spanish lavender has been used in traditional medicine and for producing lavender oil.

Popular Varieties:

• 'Otto Quast': A widely cultivated variety known for its showy purple flower spikes and extended blooming period. It's a favorite in Mediterranean-style gardens.

• 'Ballerina': This variety stands out with its white bracts and purple flowers, creating a striking contrast.

• 'Kew Red': Known for its rich, red-purple flowers, 'Kew Red' is a stunning variety that adds vibrant color to any garden.

Growing Conditions: Spanish lavender thrives in hot, dry climates and prefers full sun (USDA zones 7-9). It’s more tolerant of humidity than other lavenders, making it a good choice for regions with humid summers. The soil should be well-drained, and it’s essential to avoid overwatering, as this can lead to root rot. Spanish lavender also benefits from being planted in slightly alkaline soil to mimic its native Mediterranean environment.

Uses: While not typically used in culinary applications, Spanish lavender is excellent for ornamental purposes. Its unique flower structure makes it a striking addition to gardens, especially when used in mass plantings or as a feature plant. It’s also valued for crafting scented oils, though these are generally not as sweet as those produced by English lavender.

4. Portuguese Lavender (Lavandula latifolia)

Portuguese lavender, also known as spike lavender, is a robust and aromatic plant known for its tall, narrow spikes and intense fragrance. It is less common in home gardens but is highly valued in the production of lavender oil, particularly in industrial applications.

Popular Varieties:

• 'Broadleaf': This variety is known for its broad leaves and tall flower spikes, making it a dramatic addition to gardens.

• 'Portuguese Giant': As the name suggests, this variety is larger and more vigorous, ideal for large landscapes or naturalistic plantings.

Growing Conditions: Portuguese lavender prefers full sun and thrives in hot, dry conditions typical of Mediterranean climates (USDA zones 6-9). It’s more tolerant of heat and drought than other lavender types, making it an excellent choice for xeriscaping or gardens with poor soil. The plant should be grown in well-drained soil to prevent root rot, and it typically does well in rocky or sandy soils.

Uses: Portuguese lavender is primarily grown for its strong aromatic oils, which are used in industrial applications such as varnishes, soaps, and disinfectants. It is also used in breeding programs to create hybrid lavenders, like lavandin, which are valued for their high oil content. In the garden, Portuguese lavender can be used as an ornamental plant, particularly in larger gardens where its size and structure can be appreciated.

5. Lavandin (Lavandula x intermedia)

Lavandin is a hybrid lavender resulting from the cross between English and Portuguese lavenders. This type of lavender is known for its vigorous growth and large, fragrant flower spikes. Lavandin is particularly valued for its high oil content, which makes it a staple in commercial lavender production.

Popular Varieties:

• 'Grosso': One of the most widely grown lavandins, 'Grosso' is known for its intense fragrance and long flower spikes, making it ideal for essential oil production.

• 'Provence': This variety is popular for its large, aromatic flowers and is often used in dried flower arrangements.

• 'Phenomenal': Known for its hardiness and resistance to disease, 'Phenomenal' is a newer variety that has quickly become a favorite among gardeners.

Growing Conditions: Lavandin prefers full sun and well-drained soil, thriving in USDA zones 5-9. It is more tolerant of heat and humidity than English lavender and can withstand a wider range of growing conditions. However, like all lavenders, it requires good drainage to prevent root rot. Lavandin is a great choice for larger landscapes or commercial operations, as it can grow quite large and produce an abundance of flowers.

Uses:

Lavandin is prized for its high oil content, making it ideal for producing essential oils, perfumes, and scented sachets. It’s also used in dried flower arrangements and as an ornamental plant in gardens. Lavandin’s strong fragrance and vigorous growth make it a popular choice for commercial lavender farms and home gardeners alike.

Fern's Leafy Learnings

• English Lavender is versatile and widely used in essential oils, culinary dishes, and decorative borders.

• French Lavender is primarily ornamental with its toothed leaves and long blooming period.

• Spanish Lavender features distinctive "rabbit ear" flowers and is ideal for crafting scented oils.

• Portuguese Lavender is robust and aromatic, often used in lavender oil production.

• Lavandin hybrids are valued for their vigorous growth and high oil content, making them perfect for commercial uses.

Deepen Your Roots with Flora

At Flora, we not only bring you a vibrant selection of locally sourced, rare, and delightful plants, but we also serve as your continuous guide in your plant parenting voyage, ensuring every leaf in your sanctuary thrives. With our Flora Pod™ technology and a nurturing community of over 250,000 plant lovers, we cultivate a space where every plant parent - novice or expert - can blossom.

We propagate with a commitment to sustainability, connection, and ceaseless growth, fostering a community where each member, and their plants, are cherished and nurtured.

Crave a lush, thriving green space? Adopt a plant from Flora today!

Flora Pod™ is featured on Shark Tank!