English Lavender vs French Lavender: Zone 5 Hardy or Zone 8 Tender — and Which Smells Stronger
English lavender is hardy to Zone 5; French lavender stops at Zone 8. Compare fragrance chemistry, bloom time, and which to buy for your USDA zone.
| Feature | English Lavender Lavandula angustifolia | French Lavender Lavandula stoechas |
|---|---|---|
| USDA Zones | 5a–9b | 8a–9b |
| Height | 1–2 ft | 1–2 ft |
| Spread | 2–3 ft | 1–2.5 ft |
| Light | Full sun (6+ hrs) | Full sun (6+ hrs) |
| Water | Drought tolerant | Drought tolerant |
| Bloom time | Summer | Spring–early summer |
| Fragrance | Sweet, floral | Sharp, camphor-forward |
| Culinary use | Yes | No |
| Difficulty | Easy in Zones 5–8 | Easy in Zones 8–9; annual elsewhere |
| Typical cost | $8–$15 per plant | $8–$15 per plant |
Where the two plants diverge isn’t fragrance — it’s a single winter. English lavender survives temperatures below 0°F and keeps coming back for 15 years. French lavender hits 28°F and dies. That temperature gap separates the two plants more cleanly than any other difference, yet most comparisons spend their opening paragraphs on leaf shape and flower color instead.
This guide focuses on what actually matters: the zone-by-zone hardiness difference, what causes the fragrance gap (it comes down to two specific molecules), when each plant blooms, and which growing conditions each requires. There’s also a naming problem with “French lavender” that causes real buying mistakes — that’s the first thing to sort out.
The Name That Causes Buying Mistakes
“French lavender” is used for two different plants, and picking up the wrong one at the nursery is easy to do.
Lavandula stoechas is the most common plant sold as French lavender in US nurseries. You can identify it by the showy upright bracts above the flower spike — often called “bunny ears.” It’s also sold as Spanish lavender. Hardy to Zone 8a.
Lavandula dentata is the other plant sold as French lavender, sometimes called fringed or toothed lavender because of its serrated leaf edges. It looks different from L. stoechas and is hardy to Zones 8–11.
Both are tender plants that won’t survive a cold winter. In this comparison, “French lavender” refers to L. stoechas — the variety you’re most likely to encounter under that name. English lavender is always Lavandula angustifolia, which is unambiguous.
Check the Latin name on the tag before buying. Both plants are sold under the same common name at many garden centers.
Hardiness: The Zone That Decides Everything
L. angustifolia is hardy from Zone 5a to Zone 9b. According to NC State Extension’s Plant Toolbox, it handles the low temperatures those zones bring when the soil is well-drained and the crown isn’t sitting in standing water. This cold tolerance is why English lavender is the default choice across the Mid-Atlantic, Midwest, and Mountain West.
L. stoechas is hardy only in Zones 8a–9b. Below Zone 8, it won’t survive in the ground through winter. Colorado State University Extension confirms this directly: French and Spanish lavenders “are not cold-hardy in Colorado” (Zones 5–7) and are only practical as annuals grown in containers that come indoors before the first frost.
Timing varies by region — growing lavender in zone 5 has the month-by-month schedule.
| USDA Zone | English Lavender | French Lavender |
|---|---|---|
| 4 | Risky — needs mulch and a sheltered, south-facing spot | Does not survive in ground |
| 5–7 | Reliable perennial with well-drained soil | Annual in container only |
| 8–9 | Both work; English blooms summer, French blooms spring | Reliable perennial |
| 10–11 | Struggles in heat; lavandin hybrids perform better | Grows year-round |
One detail matters in Zone 5: drainage is more important than the temperature number. Utah State University Extension notes that English lavender “does not perform well in wet or waterlogged soils” and thrives in “dry, sandy, well-drained soils.” A garden in Zone 5b with sandy, alkaline soil will grow English lavender more reliably than a Zone 6a site with heavy clay. If you’re in Zones 5 or 6 and wondering which English lavender cultivars hold up best, our guide to zone 5 hardy lavender varieties and winter survival tips covers ‘Phenomenal’, ‘Munstead’, and ‘Hidcote’ in depth.
Fragrance: A Difference in Molecules, Not Just Intensity
The standard description — “English lavender smells sweeter, French lavender smells sharper” — is accurate, but it misses the mechanism. The fragrance difference traces directly to two different groups of aromatic compounds each species produces.
English lavender is high in linalool and linalyl acetate. A GC-MS analysis of 13 cultivars found linalool ranging from 11–47% (median ~36%) and linalyl acetate from 7–44% (median ~30%). NC State’s lavender production guide puts the composition at up to 40% linalyl acetate and around 25% linalool. These two compounds are esters — the same molecular class responsible for sweet, floral aromas in many perfumes. Together they produce the clean, sweet, slightly musky scent associated with lavender sachets, fine perfumery, and culinary lavender.
French lavender contains almost none of those esters. Instead, L. stoechas essential oil is dominated by camphor (24–72%) and fenchone (up to 34%), with smaller amounts of cineole. Camphor is the same compound found in mentholated rubs — piney, sharp, medicinal. Fenchone adds a herbal edge similar to fennel. MSU Extension describes L. stoechas scent as “more sharp or piney than that of English lavender” — that’s the camphor talking.
This chemistry gap has three practical consequences most gardeners don’t know about:
- Culinary use: Only English lavender is edible. The sweet linalool profile is what flavors lavender shortbread, herbes de Provence blends, and lavender tea. French lavender’s high camphor content makes it taste medicinal — bitter and piney, not floral.
- Perfumery vs. cleaning products: English lavender produces “true lavender oil,” the standard for fine fragrance and aromatherapy. French lavender oil is used in disinfectants, cleaning sprays, and insect repellents, where a sharper scent is an asset rather than a flaw.
- Dried sachets and potpourri: If you’re drying lavender for sachets or anything near fabric or food, English lavender is the right plant. The sweet fragrance holds for months. French lavender dried flowers will smell like a cleaning product.
If fragrance is the main reason you’re planting lavender, English lavender is the clear answer for most purposes. The exception is pest deterrence: the camphor in French lavender is more effective at repelling insects.
Bloom Time and Appearance
This is where French lavender holds a real advantage for ornamental gardens.
L. stoechas blooms in spring and early summer, often weeks ahead of English lavender. MSU Extension reports that under long-day conditions (16+ hours of daylight), it can flower within 5–8 weeks. The flower spikes carry showy upright bracts above each spike — the distinctive “bunny ear” flags in purple, white, or bicolor. Cultivars like ‘Anouk’ (dark plum with blue-violet bracts) and ‘Ballerina’ (purple and white bicolor) have a sculptural presence no English lavender can match.
L. angustifolia blooms in summer and some cultivars rebloom in early fall. Flower spikes are slender and lack bracts, but the color range includes pale pink (‘Hidcote Pink’), white (‘Nana Alba’), and the classic blue-purple of ‘Hidcote’ and ‘Munstead.’ For dried flowers, English lavender holds color and fragrance better than French through winter. The Hidcote vs. Munstead comparison covers the key differences between the two most popular English cultivars if you’re deciding between them.
One structural difference that matters for long-term care: L. stoechas “does not like to be cut back to the ground.” Cutting it hard kills it. English lavender not only tolerates but requires an annual hard prune to about half its height after flowering. Without that cut, English lavender goes woody and collapses in the center within three to four years. Skipping the prune on English lavender is one of the most common reasons it dies “for no reason” in Zone 6 and 7 gardens.
Growing Requirements Compared
Both species share a Mediterranean origin. Their core needs are identical: full sun, lean soil, excellent drainage. The differences emerge in heat tolerance, pruning response, and what happens in a cold winter.
| Requirement | English Lavender | French Lavender |
|---|---|---|
| Sun | Full (6+ hours) | Full (6+ hours) |
| Soil pH | 6.5–7.5 | 6.0–8.0 (wider tolerance) |
| Water | Drought tolerant; allow to dry | Drought tolerant; allow to dry between waterings |
| Heat/humidity | Moderate tolerance | Better heat/humidity tolerance |
| Pruning | Hard annual prune to half height after bloom | Light pruning only — never cut to ground |
| Lifespan | 10–15 years with regular pruning | Perennial only in Zones 8–9 |
| Container growing | Good; useful in Zones 4–5 | Excellent; best option in Zone 7 and colder |
Heavy clay soil is the single most common reason lavender fails for both species. Colorado State University Extension recommends amending clay beds by tilling in 1 inch of bark mulch to a depth of 6–8 inches before planting. If drainage isn’t corrected, Phytophthora root rot will kill the plants regardless of zone, pruning, or watering practice. If you’re in a warmer zone working out the right approach, the Zone 8 lavender growing guide addresses soil and moisture management for both species side by side.
Fertilizer is a common mistake with English lavender. USU Extension warns against over-fertilizing: excess nitrogen increases vulnerability to cold injury. Both species evolved in lean Mediterranean soils with little organic matter. Feed sparingly or not at all.
No more guessing your frost dates.
Enter your US zip code — get your exact last spring frost and first fall frost dates to plan your season.
→ Find My Frost DatesWhich Should You Choose?
Choose English lavender (L. angustifolia) if:
- Your USDA zone is 5, 6, or 7
- You want to use lavender in cooking, baking, or teas
- You want dried flowers for sachets, wreaths, or fragrance
- You need a long-lived perennial (10–15 years)
- You want the strongest, sweetest fragrance for aromatherapy
Best cultivars: ‘Hidcote’ (compact, 20 inches, deep blue-purple), ‘Munstead’ (reliable, proven Zone 5 performer), ‘Phenomenal’ (exceptional winter hardiness, larger plant).
Choose French lavender (L. stoechas) if:
- You’re in Zone 8 or 9
- You want spring color before summer lavender starts
- The ornamental “bunny ear” bract shape matters to you
- You’re growing for pest deterrence rather than fragrance or cooking
Best cultivars: ‘Anouk’ (dark plum, compact, widely available), ‘Ballerina’ (bicolor purple and white), ‘Chica’ (8–12 inches, ideal for pots).
If you’re in Zone 8: you can grow both without compromise. Plant English lavender for summer fragrance and French lavender for spring color. They bloom at different times and work together in a mixed border. The only difference in care is pruning: never hard-prune the French lavender, but do prune the English hard every year after it finishes blooming.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is French lavender the same as Spanish lavender?
In US nurseries, the names are often used interchangeably for Lavandula stoechas. Technically, Spanish lavender refers specifically to L. stoechas, while “French lavender” sometimes refers to L. dentata (fringed lavender). Both are Zone 8+ plants. Check the Latin name on the label to know what you’re buying.
Can I grow French lavender in Zone 6?
Only in a container that you bring indoors before the first hard frost. L. stoechas won’t survive a Zone 6 winter in the ground. In a pot, it can overwinter on a sunny windowsill and go back outside once nighttime temperatures stay above 28°F.
Which lavender smells most like classic lavender perfume?
English lavender (L. angustifolia). The sweet linalool and linalyl acetate profile is the fragrance template for fine lavender perfumes and aromatherapy products. French lavender’s camphor-forward scent is closer to cleaning products than perfume.
Can English lavender grow in Zone 9?
Yes, but it’s at the warm edge of its range. English lavender can struggle with Zone 9’s combination of summer heat and humidity. In very hot climates, lavandin hybrids like ‘Grosso’ or ‘Provence’ — which cross L. angustifolia with L. latifolia — perform better because they inherit more heat tolerance from the latifolia parent.
Which lavender is easier to grow for beginners?
In the right zone, both are straightforward. English lavender is more forgiving across a wider range of zones and garden conditions. French lavender is easy where winters are mild, but requires container care in most of the US. For most North American gardeners, English lavender is the lower-risk choice.
Sources
- NC State Extension Plant Toolbox — Lavandula angustifolia (English Lavender)
- NC State Extension Plant Toolbox — Lavandula stoechas (French/Spanish Lavender)
- Utah State University Extension — English Lavender in the Garden
- Colorado State University Extension — Growing Lavender in Colorado
- NC State Extension New Crops — Lavender History, Taxonomy, and Production
- PMC — Chemical Composition of the Essential Oil of New Cultivars of Lavandula angustifolia (2021)
- MSU Extension — Lavandula stoechas Production Tips
