Lavender (Lavandula) is a versatile herb used in gardening, aromatherapy, and cooking. The source for purchase depends entirely on the intended application. This guide directs consumers to the best sources for live plants, concentrated oils, and dried buds, ensuring the product meets standards for quality and purity.
Sourcing Lavender for Gardening (Plants and Seeds)
When establishing lavender, local nurseries and specialized garden centers are excellent places to purchase live plants. These sources typically stock varieties suited to the regional climate and provide advice on hardiness zones and soil amendments. Purchasing a potted plant in early spring or fall allows it time to establish roots before extreme temperatures.
Specialty herb farms and lavender farms are the optimal choice for sourcing uncommon cultivars or organically grown material. These operations offer a wider selection and expert knowledge on specific growth habits. Always ask the vendor about the plant’s USDA hardiness zone rating to ensure it can survive local winter temperatures.
Online seed catalogs provide access to many species, though growing from seed requires patience. Lavender seeds must undergo cold stratification to encourage germination, often simulated by storing them in a refrigerator before planting. Most lavender grown from seed will not produce flowers until its second year.
Sourcing Lavender Essential Oils and Extracts
Essential oils are the most concentrated form of lavender, requiring verification of purity for safety and therapeutic effectiveness. Dedicated aromatherapy suppliers and reputable online brands are the best places to purchase high-grade oils. These businesses focus on quality and often provide transparency regarding sourcing and distillation methods.
The highest standard of verification is the Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) report, which provides a chemical fingerprint of the oil’s composition. Consumers should look for suppliers who provide batch-specific, third-party GC-MS reports to confirm purity and the absence of synthetic adulterants.
Health food stores and large retailers also carry lavender oils, but check the label for “100% pure essential oil” to avoid diluted or synthetic fragrance oils. For therapeutic applications, the label should state the botanical name Lavandula angustifolia. Always confirm the oil is undiluted unless a carrier oil is explicitly listed.
Sourcing Culinary Grade and Dried Buds
Lavender used for consumption, such as in teas or baked goods, must be designated as “culinary grade.” This label indicates the buds were grown without synthetic pesticides or chemicals. Specialty spice shops often carry high-quality, fresh dried lavender buds, ensuring better flavor and aroma than bulk store options.
Farmers markets are an excellent local source for dried buds, allowing consumers to confirm the non-use of pesticides and the specific species harvested. The preferred species for cooking is Lavandula angustifolia, sometimes called English lavender, due to its sweeter, less medicinal flavor profile and lower natural camphor content.
In large grocery stores, dried lavender may be found in the bulk spice aisle or the tea section, but quality can vary significantly. Confirming the buds are clean, vibrant in color, and have a pleasant, sweet aroma is a good indicator of freshness. Dried buds are also excellent for craft uses like sachets and potpourri.
Key Considerations for Quality and Purity
Selecting the correct species is a primary consideration for quality. Lavandula angustifolia is recognized for its sweet, floral scent and is the preferred choice for relaxation, culinary uses, and fine aromatherapy. Its chemical composition lends itself to soothing applications and is generally gentler on the skin.
By contrast, the hybrid species Lavandula x intermedia, known as Lavandin, has a sharper, more penetrating scent due to higher levels of camphor. This robust aroma makes Lavandin oil and dried buds an excellent, cost-effective choice for household cleaning products, soaps, and strong-smelling sachets.
To maintain potency, proper storage is necessary. Essential oils should be kept in dark glass bottles to prevent degradation from light exposure. Both oils and dried buds should be stored in a cool, dark environment away from heat and air exposure to preserve their aromatic properties.