Lavender Flower Fun Facts

Lavender Flower Trivia

Lavender flowers are both culturally significant and scientifically interesting. We share 27 lavender flower fun facts that blend science with historical insight. Read on for facts about lavender’s structure, origins, and enduring role in gardens, and herbal traditions.

27 Lavender Flower Fun Facts

1. When lavender flowers are dried, their scent intensifies. This is due to the reduction in water content, and the increased concentration of aromatic oils. 
2. Crushing dried lavender flowers helps release the aromatic oils trapped in the flower buds. If you have potpourri with lavender as an ingredient, you can try crushing the flowers slightly to help extend your potpourri's fragrant life.
3. It is largely believed that the Romans were the first people to spread the cultivation of lavender.
4. The countries who grow the largest quantities of lavender are France, Spain, Bulgaria, and Croatia.
5. The genus name “Lavandula” comes from the Latin word “lavare” which means “to wash”. This is because lavender was historically used by the Romans to perfume their bath water.
6. Early medicinal uses for lavender include using it as a remedy for bug bites and poisoning, a cure for sadness, and as a pain reliever.
7. The early written herbal texts on lavender as a medicinal herb did not distinguish between different species. It wasn't until several hundred yers ago that more effort was put toward distinguishing them.
8. Charles VI, the King of France in the 1800’s, had pillows filled with lavender flowers. He used them both for their fragrance and to help repel unwanted insects.
9. Lavender essential oil was extracted for the first time in the 16^th century.
10. Lavender flowers are a favourite among pollinator insects. The relationship goes both ways, as lavender flowers visited by bees produce more volatile oils than lavender grown in isolation.
11. The most commonly grown varieties of lavender are True Lavender, Spike Lavender, and Lavandin. We sell organic True Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia).
12. Lavender usually flowers from June to August.
13. Linalyl acetate and Linalool are the main phytochemicals responsible for lavender's scent. Clary sage is another plant high in linalyl acetate.
14. Lavender plants are easy to grow, and can be planted in gardens to help combat soil and sand erosion.
15. One tale about lavender flowers holds that their scent was created when the Virgin Mary spread the clothes of the infant Jesus on bushes to dry.
16. Dried lavender can be used in herbal smoking blends. Here’s our article all about how to smoke lavender.
17. Properly dried lavender won’t mold due to its natural antimicrobial oils.
18. Dried lavender buds are lighter than fresh ones by up to 75% of their weight. If you’re making a recipe that calls for fresh lavender and you're using dried, or vice versa, be sure to adjust the quantity that you use.
19. Lavender is a plant relative of sage. They are both members of the Lamiacaea family.
20. Most lavender flowers are blue or purple, but some wild varieties can also be yellow or blackish purple.
21. Herbs de Provence was invented by spice sellers in the 1970's. Usually only the North American version of Herbes de Provence contains lavender, as it was not traditionally used as an ingredient in southern French cooking.
22. Adding too much dried lavender to a cooking recipe or herbal blend will cause a dry and soapy aftertaste.
23. Lavender flowers have a taste that can amplify both sweet and savoury flavours. Lavender pairs well with sweet flavours like honey, vanilla, chamomile and rose. Savoury flavours that pair well with lavender include goat and sheep’s cheese, black tea, dark chocolate and lamb.
24. Pouches of dried lavender are often stored in closets and wardrobes to help deter moths and other insects.
25. During Roman times, the cost of lavender flowers was 100 denarii per pound of flowers. This was equal to about 50 haircuts, or a month's wages for a farm worker.
26. Some research has found that the scent of lavender can help promote interpersonal trust amongst different groups of people.
27. Air-drying lavender produces a more complex aroma profile than heat-drying it. Some of the more delicate aromatic compounds in lavender can be destroyed by heat.

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References

1. Civilyte, A., Karanikola, K., & Kramer, A. (2025). From antiquity to modern hygiene: the archaeological and medicinal legacy of lavender as a promising antimicrobial. agent. GMS Hygiene and Infection Control, 20, Doc21.
2. Sellaro, R., van Dijk, W.W., Paccani, C.R., Hommel, B., & Colzato, L. S. (2015). A question of scent: lavender aroma promotes interpersonal trust. Frontiers in Psychology, 5, 1486.