Spanish Lavender vs. English Lavender: A Complete Guide for Gardeners and Resellers
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Comparing Spanish and English lavender? Start with the flower style and your growing conditions, then choose a seed variety below. Check the individual variety's growing instructions and suitability for your location before planting.
Lavender is one of the most iconic plants in gardening. Known for its fragrance, beauty, and versatility, it’s a must-have for home gardeners, landscapers, and greenhouse growers. But when it comes to choosing the right type, the question often arises: Should you grow Spanish lavender or English lavender?
Both are perennial seeds, meaning they return year after year. This not only makes them a great investment for home gardens but also a profitable crop for resale in 4.5-inch pots, gallon containers, and bulk production. In this blog, we’ll compare Spanish lavender (Lavandula stoechas) and English lavender (Lavandula angustifolia), explain how to grow them from seed, and show why they’re such strong sellers in the plant market.
👉 Ready to start planting? Explore our lavender seed collections:
What Makes Lavender So Popular?
Few plants match lavender’s appeal. It’s:
Fragrant: Loved for its soothing aroma in gardens, oils, and dried sachets.
Beautiful: Purple spikes and gray-green foliage add elegance to landscapes.
Versatile: Used in culinary dishes, soaps, oils, pollinator gardens, and landscaping.
Drought-tolerant: Thrives in full sun with little water, making it low-maintenance.
Perennial: Comes back year after year, making it economical for growers and gardeners.
This combination makes lavender a top seller in retail garden centers and a must-have for wholesale growers.
Spanish Lavender (Lavandula stoechas)
Appearance
Spanish lavender is instantly recognizable for its pinecone-shaped blooms topped with “bunny ear” bracts. These showy petals make it one of the most eye-catching lavenders for retail displays.
Growth Habits
Grows 12–24 inches tall
Fast-growing and drought-tolerant
Thrives in hot, dry climates (zones 7–10)
Uses
Excellent for container displays, patios, and mixed borders
Strong, resinous fragrance—ideal for essential oils, cleaning, and potpourri
Outstanding resale plant in 4.5-inch pots for spring markets
👉 Shop Spanish Lavender Seeds
English Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)
Appearance
Known as “true lavender,” English lavender has the classic purple flower spikes and a sweet, floral fragrance.
Growth Habits
Grows 18–30 inches tall
Thrives in cooler climates (zones 5–9)
More compact and dense than Spanish lavender
Uses
The best lavender for culinary uses (tea, cookies, herbs de Provence)
Most popular choice for essential oils and aromatherapy
Pollinator-friendly, attracting bees and butterflies
👉 Shop English Lavender Seeds
Spanish vs. English Lavender: Quick Comparison
| Feature | Spanish Lavender | English Lavender |
|---|---|---|
| Hardiness | Zones 7–10 | Zones 5–9 |
| Fragrance | Strong, herbal | Sweet, floral |
| Bloom Shape | Cone with bracts | Classic spikes |
| Best For | Containers, hot climates, retail display | Culinary, oils, cold climates |
| Resale Appeal | Eye-catching impulse buy | Long-term favorite, edible uses |
Shop Now: Choose Your Lavender Seeds
Which one should I choose?
For showy Spanish lavender: choose Bandera Pink for pale pink bracts, Bandera Deep Rose for richer rose tones, or Bandera Deep Purple for a darker display. These compact Bandera selections are listed for zones 7–10.
For classic flower spikes: choose Vicenza Blue or Ellagance Purple. For a white-flowered contrast: choose Ellagance Snow White. Plant sizes vary by cultivar, so use the individual product guidance rather than assuming every lavender reaches the same height.
These are seeds to grow yourself, not live lavender plants. Product pages show current prices and purchasing options. Perennial survival depends on your climate, drainage, and care.
Bandera Pink
Best for: compact patio displays with soft pink bracts.
Spanish lavender, approximately 9 inches tall and 12 inches wide. A bushy choice for containers in suitable growing conditions. 25 seeds.
Bandera Deep Purple
Best for: darker Spanish lavender color in compact containers.
Approximately 9 inches tall and 12 inches wide, with distinctive bracted flower heads. Listed for zones 7–10. 25 seeds.
Bandera Deep Rose
Best for: rose-toned accents in a Spanish lavender display.
A compact, fragrant Bandera selection, approximately 9 inches tall and 12 inches wide. Pair with the other Bandera colors or grow on its own. 25 seeds.
Vicenza Blue
Best for: compact English lavender with classic blue-purple spikes.
Approximately 10–12 inches tall with a 14-inch spread. A fragrant selection for gardeners who prefer the classic spike-shaped bloom. 50 seeds.
Ellagance Purple
Best for: mounding purple-flowered borders and flowers for cutting.
Approximately 12–14 inches tall, with late-spring to early-summer flowering listed in the product guidance. A full-sun lavender choice. 50 seeds.
Ellagance Snow White
Best for: white-flowered contrast alongside purple lavender.
A mounding lavender approximately 12–14 inches tall, with white blooms and a preference for full sun. 50 seeds.
Browse our full Lavandula Seeds collection for more lavender choices.
Growing Lavender from Seed
Starting lavender from seed is cost-effective and rewarding. Both Spanish and English lavender germinate in 2–4 weeks, but patience is key—they take several months to mature into transplantable plants.
Seed Starting Tips
Lightly cover seeds in well-draining soil.
Provide warmth (65–70°F) and consistent moisture until germination.
Transplant seedlings when they have 2–3 sets of true leaves.
Harden off before moving outside.
Lavender for Resale: Why Garden Centers Love It
Lavender isn’t just a gardener’s favorite—it’s a retail powerhouse. Both Spanish and English lavender are best-sellers in:
4.5-inch pots – Perfect size for spring sales. Customers love grabbing these to add instant beauty to patios and containers.
1-gallon containers – A higher-value item for landscapers and homeowners wanting an immediate, established look.
Bulk trays – Great for wholesale growers producing large quantities for resale.
Profitability of Lavender as a Perennial
Low production cost: Seeds are inexpensive compared to resale price.
High customer demand: Always popular in spring and summer markets.
Fast turnover: Strong fragrance and showy blooms attract impulse buyers.
Perennial value: Customers know it will return year after year, making it an easy sell.
🌿 Growers can maximize profits by purchasing bulk lavender seed and producing hundreds of plants at low cost.
Best Practices for Reselling Lavender
Sell in bloom when possible – Customers are drawn to the color and fragrance.
Label clearly – Mark plants as “perennial” to increase sales appeal.
Offer both Spanish and English lavender – Customers often buy both for fragrance and visual variety.
Stage pots by size – Offer smaller 4.5-inch pots for quick sales and gallons for premium buyers.
Promote uses – Culinary, oils, pollinator attraction, and drought tolerance all increase demand.
Landscaping & Garden Appeal
Beyond resale, lavender adds massive value to gardens:
Pollinator-friendly: Essential for bees and butterflies.
Low-maintenance: Perfect for busy homeowners.
Versatile design: Works in borders, containers, cottage gardens, and Mediterranean landscapes.
Fragrance gardens: Ideal for creating calming, scented outdoor spaces.
FAQ: Spanish & English Lavender
Q: Which lavender is best for cold climates?
A: English lavender, hardy to zone 5.
Q: Which lavender is most eye-catching for retail?
A: Spanish lavender, with its bunny-ear bracts.
Q: Can I grow lavender in containers?
A: Yes—both thrive in pots, especially 4.5-inch and gallon containers.
Q: Which is best for cooking?
A: English lavender.
Q: Are lavender seeds perennial?
A: Yes—both Spanish and English lavender are perennial, returning year after year.
Conclusion: Why Grow Both?
For gardeners and growers, there’s no need to choose just one type of lavender.
Spanish lavender offers dramatic blooms and strong fragrance, making it a top choice for retail sales and hot climates.
English lavender delivers sweet fragrance, culinary uses, and cold-hardiness, making it perfect for versatile gardens.
Whether you’re a home gardener planting a few pots or a grower producing hundreds for resale, lavender is a smart choice. Its perennial nature means repeat sales, its fragrance ensures customer demand, and its beauty guarantees it never goes out of style.
👉 Start your lavender journey today:
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