Dutch Lavender

Lavandula x intermedia

Easy · Beginner friendly

About Dutch Lavender

Lavandula x intermedia, lavandin, is a natural hybrid between English lavender (L. angustifolia) and spike lavender (L. latifolia). It produces larger flower spikes on taller stems than either parent, with a slightly more camphoraceous scent. The cultivar 'Grosso' is the world's most commercially planted lavender, dominating the essential oil industry. Plants form substantial silver-green mounds up to 90 cm tall and wide, with long-stemmed flower spikes ideal for cutting and drying. It is more vigorous and heat-tolerant than English lavender, though the oil is considered slightly inferior for perfumery.

Fragrant
Drought-tolerant
Pollinator-friendly

WATER

Low water

Minimal water

LIGHT

Full sun

6+ hrs direct

HARDY

Hardy to -20°F (-29°C)

USDA hardiness zones 5–9

How to care for Dutch Lavender

Watering

Springevery 14 days
Summerevery 10 days
Fallevery 21 days
Winterevery 30 days

Soil · Fast-draining

Main mixSand + pumice + soil 1:1:150%
DrainagePumice / gravel50%

Keep grit at half the mix or more — this soil is meant to dry out fast.

FERTILIZER

This plant needs little to no feeding.

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At a Glance

NativeEurope
Height2–3 ft (0.6–0.9 m)
Spread2–4 ft (0.6–1.2 m)
Flower colorPurple, Blue
Foliage colorGreen
SoilSandy, Well-drained, Alkaline
LocationsYard

Bloom time

BLOOM CYCLE

Peak bloom

Jun–Aug

Long purple spikes on tall stems; excellent for cutting and drying

Fragrance

STRONG FRAGRANCE

Stronger and sharper than English lavender; dominant detergent and soap fragrance.

Toxicity

Pets Slight

linalool, linalyl acetate, camphor, and 1,8-cineole

HumansDogsCats

Not reported

EXPOSURE No exposure route is reported.

EFFECT No toxic effect is reported.

NOTE No toxicity is reported for humans in this catalog; this is not evidence that the plant is edible or harmless.

Slight

Flower
Leaf
Ingestion

EXPOSURE Eating flowers and leaves.

EFFECT Vomiting, diarrhea, depression and per Lavandula genus ASPCA listing.

NOTE Higher camphor than angustifolia; same mild pet toxicity.

Slight

Flower
Leaf
Ingestion

EXPOSURE Eating flowers and leaves.

EFFECT Vomiting, diarrhea, depression and per Lavandula genus ASPCA listing.

NOTE Higher camphor than angustifolia; same mild pet toxicity.

Educational information, not medical or veterinary advice. If exposure is suspected, contact a doctor or veterinarian.

DISTRIBUTION

Native

Europe

History

Illustrated historical scene for Dutch Lavender

Lavandula × intermedia is a sterile hybrid of English Lavender (L. angustifolia) and Spike Lavender (L. latifolia), arising naturally where the two species overlap at mid-elevations in the French Alps and Pyrenees. Commercial cultivation of selected lavandin clones began in Provence in the 1920s after the yields and oils of wild natural hybrids attracted distillers' attention. By the mid-20th century lavandin accounted for the vast majority of 'lavender oil' used in European and American detergent, soap, and air-freshener manufacture, because it yields about four times as much oil per hectare as pure L. angustifolia and has a stronger, sharper scent.

Connoisseur perfumery still prefers L. angustifolia. Because the hybrid is sterile, all plants are propagated vegetatively from a handful of named clones ('Grosso', 'Provence', 'Abrialii').

Mildly toxic to pets. Lavandin dominates the global lavender industry — Provence, France alone dedicates over 20,000 hectares to L. x intermedia cultivation, primarily the 'Grosso' cultivar developed by Pierre Grosso in the 1970s. However, the higher camphor content means lavandin oil is used mainly for cleaning products and lower-grade aromatherapy, while true L. The purple fields of Provence that attract millions of tourists each July are predominantly lavandin, not true lavender.

Symbolism & meaning

What It Symbolizes

Dutch Lavender is devotion at the scale of horizon — endless rows of lavandin marching across Provençal plateaus toward the cliffs of the Vaucluse, a steadfast and expansive love poured out as fragrance. Hardier and more productive than true lavender, it perfumes the world's soaps and sachets. It is the flower that proves devotion can be both deeply personal and visible from the air.

Devotion — Fields of lavandin stretching to the horizon represent steadfast, expansive love

Where the Name Comes From

Lavandula from Latin 'lavare' (to wash). Intermedia means 'intermediate,' as it falls between its two parent species.

Uses & Fun Facts

'Grosso' supplies most of the world's commercial lavender oil
Long flower spikes form aromatic low hedges and parterres
Drought-tolerant blooms swarm with bees and butterflies

Related plants

More Lavandula plants

Plants with similar care

Frequently asked questions

How often should I water Dutch Lavender?

In summer, water about every 10 days; in winter, about every 30 days. Adjust for heat, pot size and drainage.

How much light does Dutch Lavender need?

Full sun: 6+ hrs direct. Watch the leaves — scorching or stretching means the light needs adjusting.

Is Dutch Lavender toxic to cats or dogs?

Pets Slight (Dogs Slight · Cats Slight) Educational information, not medical or veterinary advice. If exposure is suspected, contact a doctor or veterinarian.

Is Dutch Lavender easy to grow?

Yes — it is considered an easy, beginner-friendly plant.

When does Dutch Lavender bloom?

It typically blooms Jun–Aug in the Northern Hemisphere.

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