Lavender essential oil is one of the most widely recognized and utilized essential oils, valued for its diverse applications, from calming aromatherapy to skincare. However, the quality, chemical composition, and yield of essential oil vary significantly among different lavender varieties. Growers and distillers carefully select specific types of lavender to maximize oil production and achieve desired aromatic and therapeutic profiles.
Here are the most popular lavender varieties specifically cultivated for essential oil use:
Lavandin (Lavandula x intermedia): Lavandins are hybrid varieties resulting from a cross between English lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) and spike lavender (Lavandula latifolia). They are, by far, the most extensively cultivated type of lavender globally for essential oil production, primarily due to their economic advantages.
- High Essential Oil Yield: Lavandins are known for their robust growth and abundant flower spikes, which translate into a significantly higher essential oil yield per plant compared to English lavenders. This makes them exceptionally efficient for large-scale commercial distillation.
- Vigorous Growth and Adaptability: These hybrids are generally more vigorous, more tolerant of a wider range of soil conditions, and often more resistant to common diseases. They can also better withstand hotter climates than some other lavender types.
- Aromatic Profile: The essential oil derived from lavandins typically possesses a stronger, more camphoraceous or herbaceous aroma compared to the sweeter, purely floral notes of English lavender. This is attributed to a higher concentration of compounds like camphor and 1,8-cineole. While still having relaxing qualities, their scent is often described as more invigorating or penetrating.
Key Cultivars for Oil:
- 'Grosso': This cultivar is the dominant variety in large-scale lavandin essential oil production. 'Grosso' is a sizable, highly productive plant that yields long, dark violet flower spikes. Its oil is widely used in various industrial applications, including soaps, detergents, and many fragrance products. *
- 'Provence': Another highly regarded lavandin for oil, 'Provence' offers a somewhat softer, more rounded aroma than 'Grosso', while still providing excellent oil yields.
- 'Super': Valued for its high oil content and a clean, strong lavender scent.
English Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia):
Also frequently referred to as "True Lavender," "Common Lavender," or "Fine Lavender," Lavandula angustifolia is celebrated for producing the highest quality essential oil with the most desirable therapeutic properties. Although its essential oil yield per plant is lower than that of lavandins, its oil typically commands a premium price due to its superior chemical composition and sought-after fragrance.
- Sweet, Floral Aroma: The essential oil from L. angustifolia is characterized by its exquisite sweet, delicate, and herbaceous-floral aroma. It boasts high levels of linalool and linalyl acetate, chemical compounds that are largely responsible for its renowned calming, soothing, and relaxing effects. Crucially, it contains very low levels of camphor.
- Superior Therapeutic Value: This is the specific type of lavender essential oil most frequently recommended for direct aromatherapy applications, various skincare formulations (when properly diluted), and certain internal uses (always under the guidance of a qualified expert), owing to its gentle nature and broad therapeutic benefits.
Key Cultivars for Oil:
- 'Maillette': A distinguished French cultivar that was specifically developed for its excellent essential oil quality and relatively good yield within the angustifolia species. Its oil has a beautifully balanced and classic lavender aroma.
- 'Mont Blanc': A more compact variety that nonetheless produces high-quality oil with the quintessential sweet lavender scent.
- 'Vera': Often considered the original "true" lavender for essential oil production, 'Vera' provides a very pure, traditional, and highly prized lavender aroma.
- 'Folgate': A notably cold-hardy variety that yields good quality oil with a very pleasing fragrance.
Spike Lavender (Lavandula latifolia):
While not as dominant in pure essential oil production as L. angustifolia or lavandin, spike lavender produces an oil with distinct characteristics that serve specific purposes.
- Strong, Camphoraceous Scent: Essential oil from spike lavender is notably high in 1,8-cineole and camphor. This gives it a potent, medicinal, and somewhat pungent aroma, significantly different from the sweet, floral notes of English lavender.
- Specific Applications: Due to its stimulating chemical profile, spike lavender oil is commonly used for purposes such as supporting respiratory health, in topical muscle rubs, and in products where a more stimulating rather than purely relaxing effect is desired. It is less frequently used in fine perfumery or for general relaxation aromatherapy.
In summary, for large-scale commercial essential oil production prioritizing volume and a more robust, camphoraceous aroma, Lavandin (especially cultivars like 'Grosso') is the most popular choice. However, for the purest, most therapeutically valuable, and most traditionally sweet-smelling "true lavender" essential oil, English Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia, with cultivars such as 'Maillette' or 'Vera' being prime examples) remains the preferred option, despite its lower yield. Spike lavender offers a unique, camphor-rich oil for specialized applications.