It's common for beginners to get English and French lavender confused, especially since the names can be a bit misleading (English lavender isn't actually from England, and "French lavender" can sometimes refer to more than one species, though Lavandula dentata is the most common one in the US).
The easiest way to tell them apart is by looking at their leaves, flowers, and most importantly, their scent.
Here's a breakdown of the key differences:
English Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)
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Scent (Most Important!): This is the classic lavender scent most people think of. It's sweet, purely floral, and very clean, with very little to no camphor (the strong, medicinal smell). It's the scent used in calming essential oils and is the best choice for cooking and baking.
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Leaves: The leaves are narrow, long (often 2-3 inches), and have smooth, untoothed edges. They are typically grayish-green.
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Flowers: The flower spikes are usually short and plump, like little thimbles or compact cones. They grow on relatively short stems, often just above the foliage. There are NO large, petal-like "bunny ears" or "flags" on top of the flower head.
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Plant Size & Shape: Forms a neat, compact, mounding shrub, typically 1.5 to 2.5 feet tall and wide.
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Bloom Time: Generally blooms in late spring to early summer.
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Cold Hardiness: This is the most cold-hardy lavender, reliably surviving down to USDA Zone 5, and some cultivars even to Zone 4. This is why you see it widely grown in many temperate gardens.
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Common Use: Best for culinary purposes (cooking, baking, teas), aromatherapy, essential oil (calming properties), and general garden planting in colder climates.
French Lavender (Lavandula dentata)
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Scent: The plant (both leaves and flowers) has a stronger, more herbaceous, often slightly rosemary-like or camphoraceous scent. It's less sweet and purely floral than English lavender. While aromatic, it's generally not preferred for culinary uses due to its more bitter/camphor notes.
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Leaves: This is the most distinct visual identifier: the leaves have visibly toothed or serrated edges (like tiny saw teeth). They are usually green to grayish-green and often longer than English lavender leaves.
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Flowers: The flower spikes are slender and are often topped with small, wispy, somewhat inconspicuous bracts (petal-like structures), but they are not the large, prominent "bunny ears" seen on Spanish lavender.
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Plant Size & Shape: Tends to be a larger, more sprawling, or shrubby plant than English lavender, typically 2 to 3 feet tall and wide.
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Bloom Time: Known for its exceptionally long blooming season, often flowering almost continuously from spring through fall in warmer climates.
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Cold Hardiness: Less cold-hardy than English lavender, generally suited for USDA Zones 8-10. It prefers warmer, milder climates and struggles with hard frosts.
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Common Use: Primarily ornamental, good for long-lasting color in warmer regions, hedges, or container plants in areas where it can be brought indoors for winter.