Explore Lavandula angustifolia (English Lavender) – its characteristics, habitat, cultivation, propagation, and functional uses and benefits.
Lavandula angustifolia | Botanical Characteristics
Common Names: English Lavender, True Lavender, Common Lavender
Family: Lamiaceae
Appearance: A compact, bushy shrub with narrow, gray-green aromatic leaves and spikes of small, fragrant violet to purple flowers blooming from late spring to early summer.
Type: Perennial
Evergreen / Deciduous: Evergreen
Layer: Herbaceous
Root System: Fibrous, moderately deep root system
Height: 0.5–1 meter
Width: 0.5–1 meter
Lifespan: Long-lived perennial
Growth Rate: Moderate
Fertility: Self-fertile
Flowers: Hermaphroditic
Pollinator: Attracts bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects
Toxicity: Non-toxic, but excessive ingestion may cause discomfort in pets
Lavandula angustifolia | Habitat and Cultivation
Range
Native Range: Mediterranean region, particularly Southern Europe
Companionship: Commonly found with other Mediterranean species like rosemary, thyme, and sage
Invasive Range: Not reported as invasive
USDA Hardiness Zone: 5–9
Minimum Chill Hours Required: None specified
Resistance/Tolerance
Poor Soil: High tolerance
Drought: High tolerance
Shade: Low tolerance
Flood: Low tolerance
Wind: Moderate tolerance
Maritime: High tolerance
Air Pollution: Moderate tolerance
Fire: Moderate tolerance
Thriving Conditions
Sun Exposure: Full sun
Soil Moisture: Prefers dry to moderately dry, well-drained soils
Soil Type: Thrives in sandy, gravelly, or loamy soils
Soil pH: Prefers slightly alkaline to neutral (6.5–8.0)
Propagation
Seeds: Can be propagated from seeds but slow to establish
Cuttings: Commonly propagated from softwood or semi-hardwood cuttings in spring or summer
Lavandula angustifolia | Functional Uses and Benefits
Edible: Flowers can be used sparingly in culinary dishes and teas
Medicinal: Traditionally used for calming, anti-inflammatory, and antiseptic properties
Cosmetics: Widely used in perfumes, soaps, essential oils, and skincare products
Animal Feed: Not typically used as fodder
Fiber: Not used for fiber production
Timber: Not applicable
Firewood: Not applicable
Wind Break: Not suitable as a windbreak
Fence: Occasionally used in low informal hedges
Cover Crop: Not used as a cover crop
Mulch: Not used as mulch
Nitrogen Fixer: No
Dynamic Accumulator: No significant data available
Pollinator Attractor: Highly attractive to bees, butterflies, and other pollinators
Pest Repellent: Known to repel moths and some garden pests
Wildlife Supporter: Provides nectar for pollinators and shelter for beneficial insects
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