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Lavandula stoechas - L.

Common Name French Lavender
Family Lamiaceae or Labiatae
USDA hardiness 7-10
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Dry hills, garigue and open woods on limestone and granite soils[89].
Range S.W. Europe.
Edibility Rating    (0 of 5)
Other Uses    (4 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (2 of 5)
Care (info)
Frost Hardy Well drained soil Moist Soil Full sun
Lavandula stoechas French Lavender


Lavandula stoechas French Lavender
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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of shrub
Lavandula stoechas is an evergreen Shrub growing to 0.8 m (2ft 7in) by 0.8 m (2ft 7in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 8. It is in leaf all year, in flower from May to August, and the seeds ripen from July to September. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees, Lepidoptera (Moths & Butterflies).
It is noted for attracting wildlife.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in very alkaline soils.
It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought. The plant can tolerates strong winds but not maritime exposure.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Stoechas officinarum.

Plant Habitats

 Cultivated Beds; East Wall. In. South Wall. In. West Wall. In.

Edible Uses

None known

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Antiasthmatic  Antiseptic  Antispasmodic  Digestive  Expectorant

French lavender has similar medicinal properties to common lavender (L. angustifolia). It yields more essential oil than that species but is of inferior quality[254]. The flowers, and the essential oil derived from them, are antiasthmatic, antiseptic, antispasmodic, digestive and expectorant[4, 44, 61, 238]. It is used internally to alleviate nausea[238]. Externally, the essential oil is used as an antiseptic wash for wounds, ulcers, sores etc and as a relaxing oil for massage[238, 254].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Essential  Incense  Pot-pourri  Repellent

An essential oil is obtained from the flowers - used in soap making, perfumery, medicinally etc[46, 61]. When growing the plant for its essential oil content, it is best to harvest the flowering stems as soon as the flowers have faded[245]. The aromatic leaves and flowers are used in pot-pourri, as an insect repellent in the linen cupboard etc[89, 148, 238]. They are also used as a strewing herb in churches etc[4]. The flowering stems, once the flowers have been removed for use in pot-pourri etc, can be tied in small bundles and burnt as incense sticks[245].

Special Uses

Attracts Wildlife  Food Forest  Scented Plants

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Succeeds in almost any soil so long as it is well-drained and not too acid[1, 200]. Prefers a sunny position in a neutral to alkaline soil[1, 200], growing well on chalk[11]. When grown in rich soils the plants tend to produce more leaves but less essential oils[4]. Grows well in a hot dry position[166]. Established plants are drought tolerant[190]. When growing for maximum essential oil content, the plant must be given a very warm sunny position and will do best in a light sandy soil, the fragrance being especially pronounced in a chalky soil[245]. Hardy to between -5 and -10°c[184], it is often killed in severe winters in Britain[11]. Plants are not very long-lived and soon become straggly unless pruned. Any trimming of the plant is best done in spring and should not be done in the autumn since this can encourage new growth that will not be very cold-hardy[200]. Polymorphic[200]. A good bee plant, also attracting butterflies and moths[30]. The flowering spike has showy infertile flowers to attract insects at the top of the stem and small fertile flowers beneath[190]. A good companion for most plants[54], growing well with cabbages[14].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Fahrenheit:

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Plant Propagation

Seed - sow spring in a greenhouse and only just cover the seed[4]. It usually germinates in 1 - 3 months at 15°c. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse or cold frame for their first winter, planting them out in late spring after the last expected frosts. Cuttings of half-ripe wood 7 - 10cm with a heel, July/August in a frame. Usually very east, a high percentage will root within a few weeks[78]. Grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter and plant them out in late spring after the last expected frosts. Cuttings 7cm with a heel succeed at almost any time of the year[1]. Layering.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

TEMPERATE ASIA: Cyprus, Israel, Lebanon, Syria, Turkey EUROPE: Greece (incl. Crete), Italy (incl. Sardinia, Sicily), Spain (incl. Baleares), France (incl. Corsica), Portugal AFRICA: Spain (Canarias), Portugal (Madeira Islands), Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Lavandula angustifoliaEnglish Lavender, True LavenderShrub1.2 5-8 SLMHNDM235
Lavandula dentata Shrub1.0 8-11  LMHNDM013
Lavandula latifoliaSpike Lavender, Broadleaved lavenderShrub0.4 6-9  LMHNDM225
Lavandula x intermediaLavender, LavandinShrub1.2 5-9 SLMHNDM225

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

Expert comment

Author

L.

Botanical References

11200

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

Readers comment

hollyjackson   Tue Apr 8 2008

Dear sir/ madam, You have stated on your website that french lavender is antiasthmatic. Please tell me how to prepare it to provide asthma relief? Yours faithfully, Holly Jackson

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