What is the Difference Between Lavandin and Lavender?

Lavandin and lavender are both part of the Lavandula family, but they have some key differences:

1. Plant structure: Lavandin has longer stems, lilac-colored flowers, and three flower heads per stem, while lavender has shorter stems and darker, vibrant purple flowers with only one flower head per stem.
2. Scent: Lavandin has a notably stronger and more pungent scent, containing between 6%-10% camphor, while lavender has a sweeter, floral aroma with 0%-0.6% camphor.
3. Drying: When dried, lavender bunches retain their vibrant purple color with a blue-ish tint, while lavandin bunches have longer stems and a slightly different shape.
4. Early flowering: Lavender flowers earlier in the season, from June until early July, while lavandin flowers later, from mid-July to late July.
5. Therapeutic benefits: Lavender essential oil is known for its ability to reduce inflammation and pain, while lavandin oil, with its higher camphor content, is more effective at clearing congestion and acting as an insect repellent.

When shopping for lavender products, it is essential to ensure you are getting true lavender and not lavandin, as some brands may replace or adulterate the oil to cut costs and liability. Lavandin essential oil is often less expensive than true lavender essential oil due to the higher yield of the Lavandin variety.

Comparative Table: Lavandin vs Lavender

Lavandin and Lavender are both plants belonging to the mint family, but they have some key differences. Here's a summary of their differences in a table format:

In summary, Lavandin is a hybrid plant with a higher camphor content and a stronger scent, while Lavender is a natural plant with a sweet, floral, and subtle scent. Lavandin is used for commercial purposes and is less expensive than Lavender, which is primarily used for relaxation and aromatherapy.