When you're looking for the strongest lavender scent indoors, the considerations are similar to outdoor plants, but with an emphasis on varieties that not only produce a potent aroma but also do reasonably well in a container environment. The scent will come from the flowers primarily, but also from the foliage when brushed.
Here's a breakdown of which lavender varieties tend to smell the strongest indoors:
1. Lavandins (Lavandula x intermedia): These hybrids are generally the champions of strong, robust lavender fragrance. Their scent often has a more pronounced camphorous (herbaceous, slightly medicinal) note, which many people associate with the classic "lavender" smell found in soaps and essential oils.
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'Grosso': This is consistently cited as one of the most fragrant lavandins. It has a powerful, bold lavender aroma with good camphor notes. If you want a strong, room-filling scent from fresh or dried flowers, 'Grosso' is a top contender.
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'Provence': Another very fragrant lavandin, known for its classic lavender scent. It also holds its scent well when dried, making it excellent for indoor sachets or potpourri.
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'Phenomenal': A newer lavandin that also boasts a strong, pleasing fragrance and is known for its resilience.
2. English Lavenders (Lavandula angustifolia): While often described as having a sweeter, more floral, and less camphorous scent than lavandins, many English lavenders are still very fragrant and are preferred by those who find the camphor note too strong. These varieties are generally smaller and more suitable for indoor container growing than the larger lavandins.
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'Hidcote': A highly popular English lavender known for its rich, sweet, and strong fragrance. It's relatively compact, making it a good choice for a potted plant that will live indoors.
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'Munstead': Another classic English lavender, compact and very fragrant with a sweet aroma. Its size makes it manageable for indoor growing.
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'Royal Velvet': This variety offers a strong, sweet scent and beautiful deep purple flowers, which also dry well for continued indoor fragrance.
Important Considerations for Indoor Scent:
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Flowering: The strongest scent will come when the plant is in flower. Ensure your indoor conditions (plenty of light, proper watering, cool temperatures) encourage flowering. Without sufficient light, even a fragrant variety won't produce many blooms.
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Agitation: Brushing against the foliage will also release scent, even when not in bloom.
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Dwarf Varieties: For indoor container growing, choosing smaller, more compact varieties (many English lavenders fit this) will make management easier while still providing good fragrance. 'Goodwin Creek Grey' (a hybrid, not a pure English or lavandin, but often recommended for indoor growing due to its fragrant foliage) is also mentioned for its suitability indoors.
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Dried Material: If the goal is overall indoor fragrance, you can also consider drying harvested lavender flowers (especially from 'Grosso' or 'Provence' which retain their scent well) and using them in sachets, bowls, or essential oil diffusers. This can provide a more consistent indoor scent without the challenges of keeping a live plant thriving indoors long-term.
In summary, for the strongest, most potent scent indoors, Lavandins like 'Grosso' are often the top choice, especially if you plan to dry the flowers. If you prefer a strong but sweeter, less camphorous aroma from a live potted plant that might be easier to manage indoors, 'Hidcote' or 'Munstead' English lavenders are excellent options.