English Lavender vs. French Lavender: What Are the Differences?

Dating back nearly 2500 years, lavender is a sweet-smelling flower that has stood the test of time. Its undeniably recognizable fragrance and purple shades make lavender varieties sought out by new gardeners and seasoned pros alike. But how do you know which lavender variety is best for you, your climate, and your green thumb level?

There are a variety of factors you may want to consider before choosing the right lavender that is best for you. We’ve consulted our plant experts to guide you through choosing between English and French Lavender varieties based on maintenance, appearance, fragrance, size, hardiness and more.

English Lavender vs. French Lavender: Similarities & Differences

Low maintenance no matter which you choose

Care and maintenance for both of these lavender varieties are very similar. Lavender thrives in full sun locations. And unlike other flowering plants, lavender can take the heat of the midday sun without wilting or fading away.

Soil requirements for both the English Lavender and French Lavender are fairly simple. They prefer a balanced pH and well-draining soil. If you’re concerned about the denseness of your soil, simply add some sand when you plant.

Once established, both of these lavenders require infrequent watering, so you don’t have to monitor them closely. For optimal blooms, it’s best to keep the soil moist, but generally, English Lavender and French Lavender are drought-tolerant.

The only maintenance that either variety needs regularly is pruning or deadheading old blooms. Removing spent blooms allows for both the French and English Lavender plants to produce more blooms for more enjoyment.

Besides color, the appearance of French and English Lavender is only slightly different

Both the French Lavender and English Lavender varieties produce shades of the characteristic purple flowers with lovely green foliage. English Lavender provides the traditional dark purple, lavender appearance with long stalks of tiny flower clusters. These clusters cover the top, wand-like section of the plant.

French Lavender produces blooms that are a lighter pink-purple compared to the dark purple hue of English Lavender. In some varieties, flower petals are long and thin to produce almost leaf-like petals.

Although the flower displays are different, both of these plants produce similar thin, deep green foliage that contrasts beautifully against their blooms. In both varieties, the foliage forms a bush-shaped base for the flower stalks to shoot out of in the spring as they prepare to dazzle your landscape with countless blooms.

English Lavender has a stronger fragrance

The fragrance of the English Lavender is not only stronger than the French Lavender, but also more sweet. Even though the French Lavender scent isn’t as powerful, it still pervades your space with its balsamic and herbal undertones. All lavender carries the light and airy scent, but with the English Lavender, it’s a stronger, more powerful aroma that will waft across your whole landscape.

English Lavender is cold-hardy, but French Lavender blooms longer

English Lavender varieties are cold hardy to USDA zone 5 and winter extremely well by tolerating ice, snow, and frost. French Lavender, on the other hand, thrives in the warmer climates of USDA zones 7-9.

Because English Lavender is so tolerant of colder conditions, it can live up to 15 years in your garden space. And although French Lavender has a shorter lifespan, it blooms more prolifically and longer during the growing season than English Lavender. Flowering in mid-June, English Lavender displays blooms for around 4 weeks, whereas French Lavender starts blooming around May and will bloom until late fall in warmer growing zones.

French Lavender is larger than English Lavender

Although English Lavender has a long lifespan, French Lavender grows larger in size. At 30 inches tall and 40 inches wide, French Lavender rises a few inches above English Lavender, which reaches about 20 inches tall and 24 inches wide. So if you’re looking for a Lavender plant to be in the foreground of your garden space, English Lavender may be the better choice. And if you’re looking for a more mid-size, flowering plant, French Lavender may be the option for you to consider.

How to Grow English and French Lavender in Your Garden

Once you understand the difference between each type of lavender, the next step is choosing where and how to grow it. Both French and English lavender prefer a sunny spot, well-drained soil, and enough space for air to move around the foliage. Lavender is a Mediterranean perennial herb, so it naturally prefers dry conditions over heavy moisture. That’s why a warm, open garden bed or container with good drainage can make a big difference.

If you’re growing lavender in a region with mild winters, French Lavender can be a great fit, especially if you live in a warm climate. Gardeners in zone 8 and warmer areas often prefer it for its longer bloom period and ornamental look. English Lavender, sometimes called true lavender, is usually the hardier choice for colder zones and is better suited for gardeners who want a compact shrub with a strong scent. English Lavender is often hardy into colder zones, while French Lavender is generally better for mild, warmer regions.

Best soil and sunlight for growing lavender

Lavender grows best in full sun and loose, well-drained soil. If your soil holds too much water, mix in grit, gravel, or organic matter to improve drainage before planting. This helps protect the roots from staying wet, which lavender plants do not like.

A raised bed, sunny border, or container can work well if your native soil is dense. For a cleaner landscape look, plant lavender along walkways, near patios, or in a field-style planting where its flower spikes can soften hard edges and add movement.

Watering and drought care tips

Once established, lavender is drought-tolerant and usually does not need frequent watering. Water young plants regularly while they settle in, then allow the soil to dry between waterings. Too much water can weaken the plant and reduce fragrance, especially in humid climates.

To keep plants tidy, prune lightly after bloom and avoid cutting deep into old woody stems. Trimming spent flowers in early summer can help keep the plant compact, and in some climates, it may encourage fresh growth or a later flush of color.

How heat, humidity, and winter temperatures affect each type of lavender

French Lavender handles warmer weather well and can be a strong choice for areas with mild winters. It may struggle in colder regions, so gardeners outside its preferred zone may need to grow it in a pot and bring it indoors during the winter.

English Lavender tends to handle cold better, but it still needs good drainage to stay healthy through winter. In areas with heat and humidity, give each lavender plant plenty of room so the foliage dries quickly after rain. That extra airflow can help reduce stress and keep the plant looking fresh.

English Lavender, French Lavender, Spanish Lavender, and Lavandin: What’s the Difference?

It’s easy to confuse French and English lavender with other lavender plants because many varieties look similar at first glance. The main difference often comes down to flower shape, leaf texture, fragrance, and climate preference.

English Lavender, or Lavandula angustifolia, is the classic fragrant variety many gardeners think of first. It has narrow foliage, upright stems, and a sweet scent often used for oil, perfume, sachet projects, and dried craft uses. French Lavender, or Lavandula dentata, has toothed foliage and a softer, more herbal aroma that can be reminiscent of rosemary with a light camphor note.

Spanish Lavender is another popular type of lavender. It is known for its decorative bracts at the top of each flower spike, giving the blooms a more playful, tufted look. Lavandin is a hybrid lavender, often grown for its strong fragrance, taller habit, and use in oil production. Competitor references also note that Spanish Lavender is often discussed alongside French Lavender because both are better suited to warmer climates and have showier flower structures.

Why French and Spanish Lavender are often confused

French Lavender and Spanish Lavender are often confused because both have a more ornamental look than traditional English Lavender varieties. Spanish Lavender has noticeable top bracts, while French Lavender has toothed leaves and looser flower spikes.

Both can add vibrant purple flowers to a warmer garden, but they are not the same species. If you want a more classic lavender scent, English Lavender may be the better choice. If you want a decorative plant with a unique texture, French Lavender or Spanish Lavender may fit your landscape better.

How Lavandin compares to English and French Lavender

Lavandin is a hybrid, usually grown for its strong fragrance, tall stems, and high oil production. It can look like English Lavender in some ways, but many cultivars grow larger and produce longer flower spikes.

If you want a neat, compact plant for a border, English Lavender may be easier to manage. If you want a taller and wider planting for a larger garden bed, lavandin may be worth considering. If you prefer a softer, ornamental shrub that feels at home in a mild region, French Lavender may be the better fit.

Which type of lavender is best for fragrance, flowers, and landscaping

For fragrance, English Lavender is usually the top pick. Its scent is sweet, clean, and widely used in sachets, oils, and perfume-style blends. For flowers, French Lavender and Spanish Lavender offer a more decorative look, especially when you want distinctive blooms in a patio container or warm-climate garden.

For landscaping, think about the space you have and the look you want. English Lavender works well in compact borders and cottage-style plantings. French Lavender works well as an ornamental accent in warmer areas. Lavandin can make a strong impression in larger beds where taller flower spikes have room to shine.

Best Uses for English Lavender vs. French Lavender

Choosing between English and French Lavender is not just about appearance. It’s also about how you want to enjoy the plant in your yard. Do you want a fragrant herb for dried bundles and sachets? Do you want a long-blooming ornamental plant for a warm patio? Or do you want a low-maintenance shrub that brings color, texture, and pollinator-friendly flowers to your garden?

This English lavender vs French lavender comparison is helpful because each plant has its own strengths. English Lavender is often preferred for fragrance, oil, and traditional dried uses. French Lavender is often chosen for its longer bloom season, soft herbal scent, and decorative presence in mild climates. English Lavender is noted for its stronger fragrance, while French Lavender is often larger and suited to warmer areas.

Choose English Lavender for fragrance, oil, and dried crafts

If scent is your priority, English Lavender is the better fit. Its fragrance is sweeter and more fragrant than French Lavender, making it a favorite for dried bundles, sachets, simple craft projects, and garden spaces where you want the aroma to carry.

English Lavender varieties also work beautifully along paths, near seating areas, and beside sunny entryways. Brush against the stems as you walk by, and the plant releases that familiar lavender scent that makes the garden feel calm and inviting.

Choose French Lavender for ornamental garden color

French Lavender is a strong choice when you want a plant that adds texture and color for a longer part of the season. Its purple flowers, toothed foliage, and relaxed shape give it a softer look in the landscape.

This variety is especially useful in warmer gardens where cold hardiness is less of a concern. It can bring a touch of Provence-inspired beauty to patios, borders, and container displays, especially when paired with other Mediterranean plants like rosemary.

Which lavender plant is better for containers and patios?

Both types can grow well in containers, but the right choice depends on your climate and goals. English Lavender is ideal if you want a compact, hardy plant with a stronger fragrance. French Lavender is a good option if you want a larger ornamental plant and live in a warmer area.

For either plant, choose a pot with drainage holes and use a well-drained mix. Place it where it gets plenty of sun, and avoid overwatering. With the right setup, lavender can bring scent, color, and a fresh garden feel to patios, porches, and small outdoor spaces.

Recommended Varieties

Our favorite English Lavender

Among the most tolerant and vibrant of the English Lavender varieties is the Hidcote Purple Lavender (shown below). This effortlessly beautiful lavender explodes with sweet fragrance and bright blooms. A delight for you and pollinators alike, the Hidcote Lavender is the ideal plant to fill your full-sun locations. Plus, with its signature lavender scent, the Hidcote will ward off pesky insects like mosquitoes. Thriving in growing zones 5-8, it would make the perfect indoor/outdoor plant in cooler zones.

Our favorite French Lavenders

Best for growing zones that stay warm, this lush lavender brings versatility and enchantment to any landscape. The Phenomenal Lavender (shown below) is a French Lavender variety that’s more compact and container-friendly. Whether you’re planting in a pot or directly into your garden space, it delivers beauty without the hassle. Much like the English Lavender, Hidcote, the Phenomenal Lavender repels unwanted pests while attracting your favorite pollinators.

The Sensational Lavender (shown below) is another one of our favorite French Lavenders. This variety is unlike any other lavender you’ve seen before. The stalks and blooms look 10x larger than traditional lavender and the blooms hold for longer. Plus, with full, silvery foliage, this plant is ready to be the centerpiece of your garden space and is one of the toughest varieties in the French Lavender family, withstanding harsh sun without dying back.

What’s Best for You?

Although both French Lavender and English Lavender will delight your space with enchanting, purple blooms and sweet aromas, each have specific, unique qualities.

While French Lavender blooms more prolifically and all through summer, it does have a shorter life span. It’s also nearly a foot larger than English Lavender but would thrive better in warmer climates. And while the English Lavender blooms only in the spring, it’s more cold-tolerant and possesses a stronger lavender scent.

So, take your pick based on your needs and preferences. And, no matter the type you choose, it’s sure to elevate your yard! Check out our Hidcote Purple Lavender, Phenomenal Lavender and Sensational Lavender to bring enticing aroma, color and interest to your garden.