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- All about lavender
How to use lavandin: grosso, super, uses and doses
Lavender and your evening ritual: the Valensole guide
Lavender or lavandin? We bet you’ll get it wrong!
Lavandin (Lavandula × intermedia): all about the plant
Organic lavender gift ideas: our gift boxes and vouchers
Cold process soap: how it is made and why to choose it
Valensole’s lavender ritual: a home spa for Mother’s Day
Preparing Your Skin for the Summer Sun: The Role of Fine Lavender Hydrosol
The Valensole plateau: lavender, villages and visiting tips
True lavender (Lavandula angustifolia): everything about real lavender
The benefits of lavender: what you need to know
Lavender has been used since Antiquity for bathing, laundry and well-being. Its name comes from the Latin lavare, “to wash”. But behind the word “lavender” there are actually four plants, each with its own scent and uses. Here is what we, as growers, have learned.
Four plants, four scents, four uses
There are two main families of lavender: true lavender and spike lavender. Lavandin is a natural hybrid between these two families, Lavandula angustifolia and Lavandula latifolia. Its two main varieties, grosso and super, each have their own character.
- True lavender (fine, English): the lavender for calm moments. Soft, floral scent. Grown at altitude, from 500 metres up.
- Spike lavender: the wild lavender of dry hills. Fresh, aromatic, camphorous scent. Coming soon in our shop.
- Lavandin grosso: the most widely grown and the most fragrant. Its scent is the strongest and longest-lasting of all lavenders: it is the lavandin for the home and for cosmetics.
- Lavandin super: softer, close to true lavender. The lavandin for the body, for massage and foot baths. Coming soon in our shop.
| Plant | Scent | Main uses | Read more |
|---|---|---|---|
| True lavender L. angustifolia | Soft, floral, delicate | Relaxation, sleep, skin care, infusions, cooking | True lavender |
| Spike lavender L. latifolia | Fresh, aromatic, camphorous | Traditionally used on insect bites (coming soon) | Lavender or lavandin |
| Lavandin grosso L. × intermedia | The strongest and longest-lasting | Home, laundry, cleaning, keeping insects away, soaps and body cosmetics | Lavandin |
| Lavandin super L. × intermedia | Soft, lightly camphorous | Muscle massage, foot baths (coming soon) | Lavandin massage |
Never mix them up again: lavender or lavandin?
Lavender for relaxation and sleep
The soft scent of true lavender traditionally goes with calm moments: a few drops in a diffuser in the evening, a flower sachet under the pillow, an infusion before bed.
Lavender for the home
With the longest-lasting scent, lavandin grosso is the ally of natural cleaning, fresh laundry and a fragrant home.
- How to use lavandin: grosso, super, doses
- Cleaning with lavandin, room by room
- Natural lavandin cleaner recipe
- Organic lavender laundry detergent
- The scent of lavandin at home all year round
Lavender for beauty and body care
- Lavender and hair: 4 natural ways
- Lavandin massage: massage oil and bath
- Lavender hydrosol as a summer mist
- A lavender spa ritual at home
Good habits
Lavender is a plant, but its essential oil is highly concentrated: never swallow it, always dilute it before applying to the skin, and avoid it for pregnant or breastfeeding women and young children. The flowers, on the other hand, can be enjoyed as an infusion when they are food grade. Our tips do not replace medical advice.
All our lavender is grown organically since 2002 and traditionally distilled on the Valensole plateau. Discover our story.
