English lavender

Short description of the species

Botanical name

English lavender

Latin name

Lavandula angustifolia

Family

mint family (Lamiaceae)

Origin

mountainous regions of the Mediterranean

Crop classification

spicy and Aromatic Plant

Exposure

sunny

Frost resistance/perenniality

frost-resistant/perennial

Optimal temperature for growth and development

20–25°C

Water requirements

low

Soil

light, sandy, or gravelly soil

Soil pH level

6.4–8.2; acidic soil should be adjusted with liming

Edible part

flower, herb, essential oil

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Interesting

The name Lavandula is derived from the Latin word "lavare," which means "to wash," as lavender was traditionally used in baths for its cleansing and refreshing properties.

accessibility

Usage

To flavor desserts, teas, and even savory dishes, to season pork, fish soups, salads, stewed and baked vegetables, and meats. It is also a component of the Herbes de Provence spice mix and is often utilized in grilling.

Inclusion in crop rotation and fertilization requirements

Track

I.

Suitable preceding crops

Cereals, legumes

Fertilization

Before establishing the crop, the soil is fertilized with 35 to 50 t/ha of farmyard manure, phosphorus at a rate of 70–80 kg/ha, potassium at 40–60 kg/ha, and nitrogen in spring at a rate of 60–80 kg/ha (Crisan, 2023).

Crișan, I., Ona, A., Vârban, D., Muntean, L., Vârban, R., Stoie, A., Mihăiescu, T., & Morea, A. (2023). Current Trends for Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia Mill.) Crops and Products with Emphasis on Essential Oil Quality. Plants, 12(2), 357. https://doi.org/10.3390/plants...

Varieties

Horticultural classification distinguishes three categories of L. angustifolia: dwarf cultivars, medium-sized cultivars, and giant cultivars, based on growth habit. The level of compactness also varies. Lavender varieties are characterized by diverse flower colors. Seed companies offer a range of colors, from traditional blue and purple tones to varieties with white and pink flowers.

Cultivation agronomy

Seedlings and rooted cuttings can be planted in autumn, during September and October, or in spring (April), with a spacing of 100 cm between rows and 50–75 cm between plants in each row.

Propagation

Lavender plants can be propagated by seeds, cuttings, and plant division. The most common and widely used method is cuttings.

Cultivation practices – from transplants

Harvest

On small areas where lavender can be harvested quickly, the best time for harvest is at the 75% flowering stage. However, if the harvest period is extended due to various reasons (large areas, insufficient processing capacity), it is recommended to begin harvesting at the 50% flowering stage and complete it no later than the 100% flowering stage.

Active compounds

Essential oils, tannins, glycosides

Phytotherapeutic groups

Nervine, sedative, antiseptic

Diseases and pests

Generally a resistant plant, lavender can be susceptible to fungal diseases such as Septoria lavandulae Desm., Phoma lavandulae Gabotto, Phomopsis lavandulae, Botrytis cinerea Pers., and Phytophthora sp.