The genus Lavandula, known commonly as lavender, is a flowering plant celebrated globally for its distinctive aroma and varied applications in health and home use. This perennial shrub belongs to the mint family, Lamiaceae. Its appeal stems largely from the aromatic compounds in its flowers, which are used to produce calming essential oils and fragrant dried products. People seek out lavender in many forms, from live plants for gardening to an array of finished goods for aromatherapy, culinary purposes, and personal care.
Global Regions of Growth
Lavender’s native habitat is concentrated across the drier, warmer regions of the Old World, primarily encompassing the Mediterranean basin, coastal North Africa, the Middle East, and parts of Western India. This initial range provided the plant with the hot, dry summers and well-drained, often alkaline, soil conditions it favors. Different species, such as true lavender (L. angustifolia) and spike lavender (L. latifolia), thrive across a range of altitudes within this native zone.
Commercial cultivation has since expanded far beyond the native range to meet global demand for essential oils and dried flowers. Today, major producing areas for lavender and its hybrids, known as lavandin, include Bulgaria, France, and Spain in Europe. France, particularly the Provence region, is strongly associated with the high-quality true lavender used in perfumes.
Outside of Europe, countries like Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and the United States also contribute significantly to the world’s lavender oil production. These commercial farms operate in regions with climates that successfully mimic the plant’s need for full sun and low humidity, such as the Western states of the U.S. The overall global production of lavender essential oil alone exceeds 200 metric tons annually.
Finding Lavender for Home Cultivation
For individuals interested in growing their own lavender, live plants are readily available from numerous specialized and general retailers. Local nurseries and garden centers typically stock popular varieties like English lavender (L. angustifolia) and Spanish lavender (L. stoechas) during the spring and summer planting seasons. These locations offer established starter plants or seedlings, which are often the easiest way for new gardeners to begin.
A wider selection of cultivars, including specific hybrids like the hardy ‘Phenomenal’ lavandin, can be found through online specialty nurseries. These nurseries ship rooted starter plugs or small pots directly to a home address. Online sources often cater to specific USDA hardiness zones, providing plants best suited for different regional climates. Gardeners can also find lavender seeds for sale, though purchasing young plants is generally recommended for ensuring specific traits and a higher success rate.
Local farm stands or U-pick operations dedicated to lavender also offer a direct source for plants. These farms provide an experiential component, allowing visitors to select their plants while viewing them fully grown in the field. Large retail stores, including those focused on home and garden, also offer potted lavender plants, providing a convenient option for the general consumer.
Sources for Lavender Products
The products derived from lavender are found across a broad spectrum of commercial outlets, reflecting the plant’s diverse applications. Lavender essential oil, valued in aromatherapy for its calming properties, is a primary product available in health food stores, dedicated aromatherapy shops, and through online specialized retailers. Consumers can purchase small bottles of pure oil for diffusion or find it incorporated into massage oils and roll-ons.
Dried forms of the plant are sold for multiple purposes, distinguishing between culinary and non-culinary varieties. Dried English lavender buds, known for their sweeter flavor, are stocked in specialty food markets, spice sections of grocery stores, and by bulk herb suppliers for use in baking and beverages. Non-culinary French lavender buds, which have a stronger fragrance, are available at craft stores or bulk wholesale suppliers for making sachets and potpourri.
In the hygiene and cosmetic industries, lavender is a common ingredient in products sold at drugstores, bath and body stores, and department store cosmetic counters. These items include soaps, lotions, perfumes, and bath salts. Furthermore, a distinct product is culinary essential oil, which is artisan-distilled and sold by specialized farms or online outlets for use in cocktails and baked goods.