The primary difference lies in their botanical classification. English Lavender is typically classified as Lavandula angustifolia (formerly L. officinalis). It is a true species lavender, meaning it occurs naturally and is not a human-created hybrid. French Lavender most commonly refers to Lavandula stoechas or sometimes L. dentata. Spanish Lavender is also a name for Lavandula stoechas, leading to the first point of confusion: French and Spanish Lavender are often the same plant, L. stoechas, though regional naming conventions differ. To add complexity, what is sometimes sold as "French Lavender" in gardens can also be the hybrid Lavandin (Lavandula x intermedia), a cross between English Lavender and Spike Lavender (L. latifolia).
The plants are easily distinguished by their physical appearance. English Lavender (L. angustifolia) features slender, leafless flower stalks topped with a single, compact flower spike of tiny blossoms. Its foliage is narrow, silvery-green, and highly aromatic. French/Spanish Lavender (L. stoechas) is instantly recognizable by its unique flower structure. Its short, squat flower heads are topped with large, showy, petal-like bracts, often called "rabbit ears" or "butterfly wings," which are sterile. The true flowers form a smaller, darker cone beneath these bracts. Its foliage is often more grey-green and can be slightly serrated.
The chemical composition of their essential oils is a key differentiator. English Lavender oil, derived from L. angustifolia, is considered the gold standard for fragrance and therapy. It has a sweet, floral, and soft aroma with low camphor content, making it prized for calming aromatherapy, perfumes, and culinary uses. Lavandin (L. x intermedia) produces a much higher yield of oil, but it has a sharper, more camphorous scent due to its genetic inheritance from L. latifolia. It is more often used in soaps, detergents, and cleaning products. The oil from L. stoechas is chemically distinct, rich in camphor and fenchone, giving it a pungent, medicinal, and pine-like aroma not typically used in culinary or mainstream aromatherapy.
Their tolerance to climate varies significantly. English Lavender is the hardiest of the group, thriving in USDA zones 5-8. It prefers dry, rocky, alkaline soil and can withstand cold winters and humidity if provided with excellent drainage. French/Spanish Lavender (L. stoechas) is more tender, suited to zones 7-9. It is highly tolerant of hot, humid summers but is much less cold-hardy and will not survive wet, freezing winters. It is often treated as an annual in colder climates. Lavandin hybrids generally share good cold hardiness similar to English Lavender but also exhibit greater tolerance to heat and humidity.
