The lavender plant (Lavandula) belongs to the mint family, Lamiaceae, which consists of around 200 genera of flowering plants. Other plants in this family include basil, rosemary, thyme, sage, oregano, mint, catnip, marjoram, and hyssop.
Many of these plants have culinary, medicinal, and ornamental uses. The family contains over 7,000 species, including some species of ornamental shrubs such as lavender, perovskia, and teucrium. Additionally, there are several kinds of hedge plants in the family, such as santolina, lavatera, and lamium.
Lastly, many species of dead-nettle and lambs-ear are also part of the family.
What category does lavender fall under?
Lavender is a fragrant herb with a variety of uses and applications. It falls into the category of aromatic flowering herbs, as it has a sweet smell and can be used to make perfumes, potpourri, and essential oils.
Lavender is also popular for culinary use, including for the production of lavender sugar and honey, which can be used to add a floral taste to dishes. In many parts of the world, lavender is also grown for medicinal purposes and its essential oils are used for aromatherapy and healing.
Lastly, lavender is commonly used in landscaping and gardening as an ornamental to create a pleasant environment and attract pollinators.
Are rosemary and lavender in the same family?
No, rosemary and lavender are not in the same family. Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) is a member of the mint family (Lamiaceae), while lavender (Lavandula) is a member of the mint family’s subfamily, the Lamiaceae Verbenaceae.
Rosemary is a woody evergreen with fragrant, needle-like leaves, while lavender is a perennial herb with fragrant, rounded leaves. The two plants have similar growth habits and both have been used for centuries to flavor food and provide medicinal benefits.
However, they are separate plants and not related.
What are the 4 types of lavender?
The four main types of lavender are English lavender, French lavender, Spanish Lavender, and Lavandin.
English lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) is the most widely known and widely cultivated lavender. It produces attractive blue-purple flowers with a sweet, complex, and herbaceous aroma. English lavender is considered to be the most fragrant of the various lavenders and is widely used in aromatherapy.
French lavender (Lavandula stoechas) has the strongest scent of all the lavenders. Its flowers are arranged in dense clusters and come in shades of pink, purple, and white. It’s known for its slightly camphorous, medicinal scent and is most often used as a potpourri.
Spanish lavender (Lavandula latifolia) has long stems and broad, glossy leaves. Its blue-purple flowers are arranged in a tall, narrow spike. Spanish lavender has a slightly camphorous, herbal aroma and is often used in topical herbal preparations.
Lavandin (Lavandula x intermedia) is a hybrid of English and Portuguese lavender. It produces grayish-green leaves and bright purple-blue fragrant flowers. It’s often used commercially because of its high yield and the fact that it can be harvested several times per year.
Lavandin oil has a strong, medicinal scent and is often used in aromatherapy.
Can dogs eat lavender?
No, dogs cannot eat lavender. Lavender is part of the mint family and can be toxic to canines when ingested in large quantities. Lavender oil is also not advised for pets as it can be an irritant to the skin and lungs.
Even dried or fresh lavender stems and leaves can cause an upset stomach in dogs, so it is best to avoid feeding it to them. If your dog has been exposed to the plant, watch out for signs of vomiting, diarrhea, and loss of appetite.
If any of these occur, you should contact a veterinarian immediately.
Does lavender keep bugs away?
Yes, lavender can be an effective bug repellent. The essential oil of lavender contains compounds like linalool and linalyl acetate, which are natural insecticides and can help to ward off an array of insects, including moths, mosquitos, and other flying insects.
To use lavender as a natural insect repellent, you can:
1. Place a few sachets of dried lavender around your home, specifically in areas where pests live or enter, such as windowsills, cupboards, and baseboards.
2. Make a spray by combining lavender essential oil with water, and spray it around doorways and windows as a barrier to keep insects out.
3. Make an herbal bug repellent with lavender, rosemary, and witch hazel. Mix a few drops of lavender with an equal amount of rosemary, then mix the combination with witch hazel in a spray bottle. Spray the mixture on clothing and exposed skin to ward off bugs.
4. Plant lavender in your garden. Not only is it aesthetically pleasing, but it can also help to repel bugs, making it a great natural pest control solution.
While lavender can be an effective way to deter bugs, you should always take additional precautions to keep your home and garden healthy. These can include regularly checking pest hotspots, vacuuming carpets and rugs, and taking steps to keep moisture levels low.
Which lavender is the most medicinal?
The most medicinal Lavender is probably Lavandula angustifolia, commonly known as English Lavender. This species is a popular choice for herbal tea preparation and is traditionally known for its calming, stress-relieving properties.
It has essential oils with antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties, making it a popular choice for treating burns, cuts, and skin irritations. It can also help to relieve headaches, insomnia, nervousness, and upset stomachs.
The scent of Lavandula angustifolia is thought to also act as an insect repellant and it is often used in aromatherapy. It is commonly used as a natural remedy for digestive problems, insomnia, and respiratory issues.
Which is the strongest smelling lavender?
The strongest smelling lavender is the Lavandula Angustifolia, commonly known as English Lavender. It is the most widely used lavender species, with a strong and sweet aroma. English lavender has a sweeter and more mellow scent than other lavender varieties, making it the most popular choice for soaps, lotions and sachets.
Its oil can also be used for aromatherapy, as it is known for its calming, soothing and restorative effects.
How many varieties of lavender are there?
There are a wide range of different varieties of lavender available, with over 450 different species of lavandula (the genus of plants that all lavenders belong to) known in the world, and a further 40 of those species considered to be commercially available lavender varieties.
Most of the commercially available varieties are of two primary breeds, Angustifolia and Intermedia, which are further split into subspecies and cultivars to provide a wide range of choice for landscapers, gardeners, and farmers.
The varieties of these two breeds range from the heavily scented and beautiful dark purple Hidcote Lavender to the tolerance for drier climates of the sweetly fragrant Phenomenal Lavender. There are also many hybrid varieties, such as Grosso and the Royal Velvet, bred for specific traits, like disease resistance and lack of seed production.
Most of the lavenders grown commercially around the world are in the Angustifolia, Intermedia, and hybrid categories, however, there are a few very unique varieties as well, like the kandahar lavender, which has a unique scent and a striking pinkish color, or the rare Munstead lavender, which can grow up to 4 feet high and is one of the toughest varieties out there.
Ultimately, with all the diverse lavender varieties available, there is something for every need and taste out there.
Where should I not plant lavender?
You should not plant lavender in a spot that is too shady, as lavender needs plenty of sunshine to grow and bloom. Secondly, make sure to avoid any areas that have standing water or have wet soil, as lavender prefers well-drained soil.
Additionally, lavender is not a fan of having nutrient rich soil, meaning you should ensure the soil isn’t overly enriched. Lastly, lavender should be planted in an area that has plenty of air circulation.
Planting too close to other plants or having a heavy concentration of plants in one area can create a too humid atmosphere that lavender does not like.
Which is the easiest lavender to grow?
The easiest lavender to grow is Lavandula angustifolia, or English lavender. This type is hardy in USDA Zones 5 to 8 and prefers full sunlight and well-drained soils. English lavender also grows well in containers, and can often ignore drought conditions as well as poor soil.
Be sure to provide adequate air circulation and take care not to over-water your plants. Pruning can help them keep their shape and deadheading is a great way to keep plants in bloom throughout the season.
When dividing plants, use sharp tools to make clean cuts and wait to do so in early spring or late summer.
Which is more fragrant French or English lavender?
The French lavender variety is generally thought to be more fragrant than its English counterpart. French lavender (Lavandula intermedia) is a hybrid plant that originated in France, and includes attributes of both English lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) and Italian lavender (Lavandula stoechas).
French lavender is most prized for its sweet, floral scent, while English lavender is known for its soft, subtle aroma. French lavender is also believed to be more resilient and drought tolerant than English lavender.
For those who love gardening and want to add a fragrant and functional element to their garden, French lavender is the best choice.
Is sage similar to lavender?
No, sage and lavender are two very different plants. Sage (Salvia officinalis) is an herb in the mint family, native to the Mediterranean and parts of Asia. It has a fragrant, citrusy smell and is used in many dishes to add flavor.
Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) is a flowering plant in the mint family native to the Mediterranean, Africa, and parts of Europe. Lavender has a sweet, floral scent and is often used for medicinal and aromatherapy purposes.
Both plants have different uses, so it is unlikely for them to be similar in any way.
Do sage and lavender go together?
Yes, sage and lavender go together very well. They both have a pleasant, earthy aroma and work well when used in combination in projects such as kitchen and food dishes, essential oil blends, potpourri, sachets, and even soaps.
Sage pairs well with lavender as they both have a similar, herbaceous aroma that is said to benefit mental health, aiding in relaxation and providing a sense of calm. According to herbalists and aromatherapists, combining these two essential oils can maximize their potential benefits as the effects are believed to be multiplied.
They also make for beautiful room decorations when used together. For example, you can mix dried sage and lavender together and hang them from the ceiling or put them in decorative jars.
What is lavender related to?
Lavender is related to the mint family, Lamiaceae. The plant is native to the western Mediterranean region, but it can now be found all around the world in many climates. Lavender belongs to the same botanical family as rosemary, oregano, thyme, sage, and hyssop.
The genus Lavandula includes roughly 39 species of evergreen shrubs, perennial herbs, and subshrubs. These species have been cultivated and hybridized over centuries, resulting in a wide range of colorful varieties.
Lavender grows best in well-drained, alkaline soil in a sunny environment; it needs at least six hours of direct sunlight each day to thrive. Lavender is best known for its sweet and floral aroma, but it can also be used in cooking, for calming baths, and for its antiseptic properties.
Additionally, many varieties are attractive and make for lovely garden plants.