Lavandin is a robust, hybrid plant (Lavandula x intermedia) often mistaken for traditional lavender. It is a cross between two distinct species and is widely cultivated as a primary source for essential oil. This oil has a distinct chemical profile and aroma, making it a highly valued ingredient in numerous commercial products. Understanding the differences between lavandin and true lavender dictates their specific applications in perfumery, aromatherapy, and industrial use.
Botanical Origin and Cultivation
Lavandin is a naturally occurring hybrid, formed when bees cross-pollinated two different lavender species in the mountains of France. The parent plants are True Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia), which grows at higher altitudes, and Spike Lavender (Lavandula latifolia), found at lower elevations. Because it is a sterile hybrid, lavandin cannot be grown from seed and must be propagated through cuttings.
This status offers significant cultivation advantages, making lavandin a preferred commercial crop. The plant is considerably hardier and grows larger, often reaching 3 feet in height with substantial, branched flower spikes. This vigor translates into a much higher yield of essential oil per hectare, sometimes up to five times greater than True Lavender. Its ability to thrive at lower altitudes also allows for large-scale, mechanized cultivation, greatly reducing production costs.
Key Distinctions from True Lavender
The most significant difference between lavandin and True Lavender lies in the chemical composition of their essential oils, which directly affects their scent and function. True Lavender is prized for its high percentage of linalool and linalyl acetate, which give it a soft, sweet, and purely floral aroma. In contrast, lavandin oil contains a much higher concentration of camphor and 1,8-cineole.
Camphor levels in lavandin oil typically range from 6% to 15% or more, while True Lavender contains less than 0.5%. This elevated camphor content gives lavandin a distinctly sharper, more herbaceous, and penetrating scent, often described as having a medicinal undertone. The presence of 1,8-cineole further contributes to this strong, invigorating quality, often associated with eucalyptus.
This chemical profile impacts its use in aromatherapy. True Lavender is renowned for its calming and sedative properties due to its low camphor content. Lavandin is considered stimulating and less gentle due to the higher levels of camphor and 1,8-cineole. While it still contains relaxing components from its True Lavender parent, these stronger molecules classify it as more invigorating. It is sometimes avoided in applications intended purely for relaxation or treating burns.
Primary Commercial Applications
Lavandin’s high essential oil yield and lower production cost make it the preferred choice for industrial-scale fragrance applications. Due to its robust and long-lasting scent, the oil is widely used in bulk products where cost-effectiveness is a factor. Its deodorizing and strong aromatic qualities make it a popular natural fragrance in:
- Soaps
- Detergents
- Household cleaning agents
- Air fresheners
The essential oil is also a common component in industrial perfumes and fragrances, serving as a base note or extender for more expensive floral scents. This contrasts with True Lavender oil, which is reserved for fine perfumery, specialized therapeutic formulas, and delicate culinary uses. Lavandin is commercially grown in several variants, known as chemotypes, differentiated by their specific chemical balance.
The main commercial types are Grosso, Super, and Abrial. Grosso is the most widely cultivated variety, accounting for the majority of global production. The Super variety has the lowest camphor content, making its scent the most floral of the lavandins. These differences in composition allow manufacturers to select the appropriate lavandin chemotype based on the required aromatic intensity and final product application.