10+ Different Types of Lavender Plants to Grow

Native to the Mediterranean regions, Lavenders have been helping with headaches and digestive issues for decades worldwide, including in the Middle East and India.

As a matter of fact, you will find wide different Lavender varieties appropriate indoors or outdoors, as a topiary, or for sole decor and medicinal purposes.

13 Different Types of Lavender Plants with Names 

Lavenders are perennial bloomers that flower every spring to summer, with some varieties producing more potent fragrances and vibrant blooms.

Check out the list of thirteen handpicked Lavender plants, each with unique properties, which will be a great addition to your home and garden.

1. English Lavender

Did you know English Lavender flowers were used in ancient Rome for bathing?

English Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) is highly prized for its strong fragrance and beautiful, deep purple-blue flowers.

After all, these are the first choice of culinary Lavenders; hence, gardeners widely grow them.

• Size: It typically grows to a height of 1-3 feet (30-90 cm) and a width of 1-2 feet (30-60 cm) in optimal conditions.
• Appearance: It boasts narrow, gray-green leaves about 2-2.5 inches long and 0.2-0.4 inches wide and displays a compact, bushy appearance with long, slender stems that are topped with spikes of fragrant flowers.
• USDA zone: It is hardy and widely grown in USDA zones 5-9, tolerating temperatures as low as -20°F (-29°C).
• Foliage: The aromatic leaves of English Lavender are evergreen and are covered in fine hairs, giving them a silvery appearance.
• Flower: It blooms from mid to late summer. The tubular-shaped flowers come in shades of blue, violet, and purple and are widely harvested to be used in perfumes, soaps, and cooking.
• Lifespan: It may become woody and unproductive after 5-10 years, requiring replacement altogether.

2. French Lavender

French Lavender (Lavandula stoechas) is characterized by its distinctive “rabbit ear” petals and camphor-like solid aroma.

It is well-suited to milder climates but hates sitting in a cold environment.

Choose them as garden plants grown in fast-draining containers, rock gardens, and walkways.

• Size: French Lavender typically grows to a height of 2-3 feet (60-90 cm) and a width of 1-2 feet (30-60 cm).
• Appearance: It displays narrow, gray-green leaves about 1-2 inches (2.5-5 cm) long and has a bushy habit with short, stubby stems topped with large, cone-shaped flower clusters.
• USDA zone: It is hardy in USDA zones 8-11 and tolerates temperatures as low as 10°F (-12°C).
• Foliage: The leaves are evergreen, aromatic, and covered in fine hair.
• Flower: The flowers bloom from late spring to early summer in shades of purple or pink. The blooms have distinctive, protruding bracts that resemble rabbit ears.
• Lifespan: They can survive several years with proper care and pruning but may become woody and unproductive after 5-7 years.

French Lavender can be invasive plants in some places like Australia and Spain.

3. Spanish Lavender

Spanish Lavender (Lavandula stoechas) is primarily known for its silvery leaves and showy, eye-catching flowers.

It carries a eucalyptus scent that helps ward off many pests and predators.

• Size: It can grow to a height of 1-3 feet (30-90 cm) and a width of 1-2 feet (30-60 cm).
• Appearance: Spanish Lavender grows narrow, gray-green leaves about 1-2 inches (2.5-5 cm) long and 0.1-0.3 inches (0.2-0.8 cm) wide. The bushy foliage is topped with large, cone-shaped clusters of flowers.
• USDA zone: It is hardy in USDA zones 7-9 with tolerable minimum temperatures of 0°F (-18°C).
• Foliage: The evergreen leaves are covered in fine hairs.
• Flower: The Spanish Lavender blooms from late spring to early summer in purple, pink, or white shades.
• Lifespan: It survives about 5-7 years when provided with optimal growing conditions.

4. Lavandin (Intermedia)

Basically, Lavandin is a hybrid species of true Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) and spike Lavender (Lavandula latifolia).

After all, it exhibits the appearance and benefits of both Lavenders, including their antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties.

• Size: It typically grows about 3 feet tall and wide (90 cm).
• Appearance: It displays gray-green leaves and long, slender stems topped with tiny flowers.
• USDA zone: Lavandin is hardy to USDA zones 5-10, making it suitable for many climates and temperatures as low as -20°F (-29°C).
• Foliage: The narrow and elongated leaves have a slightly fuzzy texture. They are a pale green color and have a pleasant, herbaceous scent.
• Flower: It blooms from mid to late summer in a distinctive conical shape with usually a shade of blue or purple, sometimes pink and white.
• Lifespan: Like any other Lavender, it will become woody and hardly survive over five years.

It may take 8 weeks for the Lavandin seeds to grow enough to transplant to their ultimate location.

5. Munstead Lavender

In fact, Munstead Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia ‘Munstead’) is somewhat lighter in color than true Lavender species.

• Size: Munstead is a short Lavender species, growing only up to 18 inches tall and 24 inches wide.
• Appearance: It displays gray-green foliage with dense spikes of fragrant, Lavender-blue flowers.
• USDA zone: It is hardy to USDA zones 5-9, making it suitable for the cold and milder climate.
• Foliage: The leaves are narrow and silvery green, with a slightly fuzzy texture and a pleasant scent. You can use both leaves and flowers for culinary purposes.
• Flower: The Munstead flowers are small and tubular and bloom in mid to late summer in light blue.
• Lifespan: Munstead Lavender has a medium lifespan of around 7-10 years.

6. Hidcote Lavender

Hidcote Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia ‘Hidcote’) is a compact Lavender species with a bushy habit and intense fragrance.

Although native to the Mediterranean region, it was first cultivated in Hidcote Manor Gardens in England.

• Size: Hidcote Lavender stays short and grows only up to 2 feet tall and 18 inches wide.
• Appearance: It has gray-green foliage and produces dense spikes of deep purple flowers, suitable as the best topiary Lavender.
• USDA zone: Hidcote Lavender is hardy to USDA zones 5-9 and can tolerate sub-zero degrees.
• Foliage: It displays narrow, silvery green leaves with a slightly fuzzy texture.
• Flower: The Hidcote flowers are small and tubular and bloom in deep purple from mid to late summer.
• Lifespan: Hidcote Lavender can live for 7-10 years, depending on growing conditions.

Don’t be surprised, Hidcote Lavender with leaves turn brown and twiggy, indicating to die back; this is natural.

7. Grosso Lavender

Grosso Lavender (Lavandula x intermedia ‘Grosso’) is a hybrid of English Lavender and spike Lavender (Lavandula latifolia) developed in France.

Also called classic French hybrid Lavender, it boasts large flower spikes and a strong fragrance.

• Size: It grows quite tall, up to 3 feet, and 2 feet wide.
• Appearance: it has gray-green foliage with large spikes of fragrant, showy, dark purple-blue flowers.
• USDA zone: Grosso Lavender is hardy to USDA zones 5-10, tolerating a minimum temperature of up to -20°F (-28.9°C).
• Foliage: The narrow and silvery green leaves with a slightly fuzzy texture emit a pleasant scent.
• Flower: The larger flowers often grow in a dark blue shade and bloom in mid to late summer. The flowers contain medicinal properties, including antiseptic, anti-bacterial, and anti-fungal uses.
• Lifespan: Grosso Lavender lives for around 7-10 years.

8. Phenomenal Lavender

Lavandula x intermedia ‘Phenomenal’ is a hybrid Lavender species and a disease-resistant variety.

It is a relatively new variety of Lavender, first introduced in 2013 in the United States, specifically in North Carolina, by propagator Lloyd Traven.

• Size: Phenomenal Lavender grows up to 30 inches tall and 36 inches wide.
• Appearance: It produces gray-green foliage with long, fragrant, light purple-blue flower spikes.
• USDA zone is one of the hardiest species that survive in USDA zones 5-9, making it suitable for a cold climate.
• Foliage: The leaves of Phenomenal Lavender are narrow and silvery green, with a slightly fuzzy texture.
• Flower: It produces long spikes of fragrant, light purple-blue flowers that bloom mid to late summer.
• Lifespan: Phenomenal Lavender can survive for 5-8 years in ideal conditions.

9. Violet Intrigue Lavender

A popular cultivar of English Lavender, Violet Intrigue (Lavandula angustifolia ‘Violet Intrigue’) displays vibrant violet flowers and a sweet fragrance.

Many gardeners grow it to harvest flowers for essential oil and perfume.

• Size: This Lavender grows about 2 feet tall and wide, making it a compact variety.
• Appearance: Like other Lavenders, it displays silvery-green foliage with upright stems of fragrant violet flowers.
• USDA zone: It is hardy to USDA zones 5-9, making it suitable for cold and mild weather climates.
• Foliage: The leaves are narrow and silvery green with a fuzzy texture.
• Flower: It produces long stems of upright, fragrant, violet flowers, which bloom early to midsummer.
• Lifespan: It survives around eight years when provided with the right growing conditions.

10. Royal Velvet Lavender

A popular cultivar of English Lavender, Royal Velvet Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia ‘Royal Velvet’) boasts deep purple blooms and a sweet fragrance.

You can use the flowers of Royal Velvet Lavender in potpourri and sachets (small bags of perfumed powder). After all, they emit a strong fragrance and long-lasting scent.

• Size: It is a compact Lavender variety that reaches 18-24 inches tall and wide.
• Appearance: Royal Velvet Lavender boasts gray-green foliage with 3-4 inches long flower spikes slightly longer than ‘Hidcote.’
• USDA zone: It is hardy to USDA zones 5-10 and tolerates minimum temperatures up to -20°F (-28.9°C). Grow them outdoors in USDA zones 7-10 or above
• Foliage: The narrow, gray-green foliage has a slightly fuzzy texture, often used for cooking and crafts.
• Flower: It produces long stems of fragrant, deep purple flowers that bloom early to mid-summer.
• Lifespan: Royal Velvet Lavender is a perennial plant with a lifespan of around 5-8 years.

Royal Velvet Lavender can grow well in pots or before the border because to its compact character.

11. Goodwin Creek Lavender

Goodwin Creek (Lavandula x ginginsii ‘Goodwin Creek Grey’) is a Hybrid variety of Lavender from Goodwin Creek Gardens in Williams, Oregon.

A relatively new variety, it boasts superior silvery-gray leaves and showy violet-blue flowers.

• Size: A compact variety, it only grows about 2 feet tall.
• Appearance: It displays silvery-gray foliage and long stems of soft, Lavender-blue flowers.
• USDA zone: It is hardy to USDA zones 5-9 and resists a short duration of heat and drought.
• Flower: The long stems of soft, Lavender-blue flowers bloom in the shade of violet-blue in early to mid-summer and emit the scent of Lavender and camphor.
• Lifespan: It boasts a lifespan of around 5-8 years

12. White Spike Lavender

White Spike Lavender (White Spike Lavender) is a unique variety that displays serene, fragrant white flowers that bloom every spring and summer.

It is a cultivar of Lavandula angustifolia and makes a popular variety for gardeners looking for a unique twist on the traditional purple Lavender.

• Size: It typically grows 18-24 inches tall and around 12-18 inches wide.
• Appearance: It is exceptionally similar to any compact Lavender plant, except for long, slender spikes of fragrant white flowers.
• USDA zone: It is hardy to USDA zones 5-10 and tolerates minimum temperatures up to -20°F (-28.9°C).
• Foliage: The leaves of White Spike Lavender are gray-green, narrow, and fragrant with an excellent spiky look.
• Flower: It produces long, slender spikes of white flowers in late spring and early summer.
• Lifespan: White Spike Lavender has a lifespan of around 5-8 years.

13. Sarah Lavender

Sarah Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia ‘Sarah’) is a compact version of Lavender, best opted for as a topiary or potted plant.

Their flowers are petite, just like the rest of the plant, which hardly measures over 12 inches.

• Size: ‘Sarah’ typically grows about 12 inches tall, making it well-suited for small gardens or containers.
• Appearance: This variety displays gray-green foliage and produces spikes of fragrant, purple-blue flowers in early summer.
• USDA zone: It is hardy to USDA zones 5-11, making it suitable for various climates, including heat and drought.
• Foliage: The leaves of ‘Sarah’ are upright, gray-green, and highly aromatic.
• Flower: This Lavender type produces tiny spikes of fragrant, purple-blue flowers in early summer. You can harvest them for use in potpourri, sachets, and other crafts.
• Lifespan: It has a short lifespan of around 5-8 years.