Spanish Lavender (Lavandula stoechas), also known as French lavender or butterfly lavender, is a species of flowering plant in the mint family. It is native to the Mediterranean region and has naturalized in many other places throughout the world. Spanish lavender is a drought-tolerant, evergreen perennial that grows to about 30 cm in height.
The leaves are green, with a distinctive silver-gray fuzz on the surface. The plant produces purple, blue, or white flowers from mid-spring to early summer. The plant blooms in late spring or early summer with purple flowers that have red or pink bracts at their tips. The bracts are highly scented and attract bees, making Spanish lavender a valuable addition to any garden.
A brief history of Spanish Lavender
Spanish lavender has a long history of use in herbal medicine. In ancient Rome, the plant was used to treat insomnia and nervousness.
Lavender was also believed to have antiseptic and healing properties and was often used as a compress for wounds. In medieval Europe, the herb was used to flavor food and wine. It was also thought to ward off evil spirits and was often used in sachets and potpourris.
People used to wash their hair with it or put lavender pedals in their pillowcases to protect against infection from bacteria, lice, and so on.
Today, Spanish lavender is still used in herbal medicine, although its primary use is now as an essential oil. The oil is thought to have calming and relaxing properties and is often used in aromatherapy. It also has potent anti-inflammatory properties, making it a great solution for soothing itchy or acne-prone skin.
Spanish lavender is also a popular ingredient in soaps, perfumes, and cosmetics.
You can buy reasonably priced dried lavender online to make your own lavender sachets and floral arrangements, you can buy reasonably priced dried lavender online.
Dried Lavender Bundles, Total 250 Stems 100% Natural Lavender Flowers
Spanish Lavender Propagation and Growing Care
A new Spanish lavender plant can be propagated from seed, stem cuttings, or division of established plants. When propagating from seed, it is best to start the seeds indoors about eight weeks before the last frost date. Stem cuttings can be taken from new growth in spring or summer and rooted in sandy soil. Dividing can be done in spring or fall by carefully digging up an established plant and dividing it into two or three sections. Regardless of the propagation method used, Spanish lavender will need full sun and well-drained soil to thrive.
Spanish lavender grows best in full sun and well-drained soil. It is drought-tolerant but prefers moderate watering during dry periods.
To learn more about how to grow Spanish lavender and what seeds and plants are best to buy for growing it with success, read our article here:
How to Prune Spanish Lavender
If you want your Spanish lavender to really thrive, it’s important to give it the right kind of care—including regular pruning. Spanish lavender typically blooms in late spring or early summer, so the best time to prune it is just after its flowering period.
This will ensure that the plant has plenty of time to recover and produce new growth before the next blooming season. When pruning, be sure to remove any dead or damaged stems, as well as any stems that are crossing or rubbing against each other. You should also trim back any leggy growth in order to encourage a more compact, bushy plant. With just a little bit of TLC, your Spanish lavender will be looking its best in no time!
Uses for Spanish Lavender
The oil of Spanish lavender has many uses both inside and outside the home. Here are just a few ideas:
- Add a few drops of oil to your bathtub for a relaxing soak.
- Mix oil with water in a spray bottle and use it as a linen mist or room refresher.
- Make a homemade sachet for your closet or drawer by filling a small cloth bag with dried lavender blossoms.
- Add oil to homemade candles or diffusers to enjoy its calming aroma.
- Use it as an all-natural insect repellent by adding a few drops to bug spray recipes.
- Dab it on bug bites for almost instant relief from itching.
Organic Dried Raw Lavender Flowers
This is perfect to make lavender tea, add to baking like in lavender cookies, make lavender lemonade, add it to homemade soaps, make sachets for clothing drawers to provide a fragrance.
Lavender in Spanish
Lavender in Spanish is called “lavanda.” It’s a beautiful word that rolls off the tongue, and it’s a perfect description of this fragrant herb.
Lavanda is derived from the Latin word “lavare”, which means “to wash”. So lavanda is literally translated as “washing herb”. And that’s exactly what lavender is used for—to scent laundry and to cleanse and purify the air.
Concluding Thoughts
Whether you’re looking for a beautiful addition to your garden or want to explore the many uses of lavender oil, Spanish lavender is a great option! This versatile herb has a long history of use in culinary, medicinal, and aromatic applications. It might be the perfect choice to grow in your garden next season. You may just find that Spanish lavender is the perfect plant for you!
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