English Lavender

A Timeless Fragrance with an Ancient Past

A recognizable aromatic herb English Lavender (L. angustifolia vera) produces elegant purple flower spikes above fragrant, silvery-green foliage. Its unmistakable fragrance, beautiful form, and centuries of botanical and apothecary history make it an essential addition to medicinal herb gardens and living botanical collections.

Growing Tips

• Prefers full sun

• Requires well-draining soil

• Prefers relatively dry conditions once established

• Avoid overwatering

• Excellent for herb, pollinator, and apothecary gardens

Planting Tips

• Start indoors approximately 8–10 weeks before the last frost

• Sow shallowly in a well-draining seed-starting mix

• Keep lightly moist during germination without saturating the soil

• Space mature plants approximately 12–18 inches apart

Interesting Facts

• Lavender has been cultivated for its fragrance and traditional herbal uses for centuries.

• Historically, lavender was incorporated into preparations associated with relaxation, stress relief, restful sleep, and calming aromatic practices.

• Its fragrant flowers and essential oils have a longstanding place in traditional aromatherapy, bathing, perfumes, sachets, and botanical preparations.

• Lavender was famously associated with bathing in the Roman world. Its name is traditionally linked to the Latin lavare, meaning “to wash.”

• Its combination of fragrance, silvery foliage, and purple blooms has made English Lavender a prized ornamental as well as an important historical herb.

For cultivation. Historical and traditional-use information is provided for botanical and educational purposes only and is not medical advice.