Exploring the Different Types of Lavender Essential Oil

Soft, floral, and widely beloved, lavender essential oil is a staple in aromatherapy. But did you know there’s more than one type of lavender oil? From calming classics to sharper, camphorous varieties, the type of lavender you choose can subtly shift the scent, strength, and uses of your blends.

Let’s explore the most common types of lavender essential oil, how they differ, and how to choose the right one for your next DIY or diffuser project.

Why There Are Different Lavender Oils

Lavender isn’t a single plant—it’s a whole botanical family. Different species of Lavandula are grown across the globe, each with its own aroma profile, chemical makeup, and energetic feel. Factors like climate, altitude, soil composition, and harvest timing also play a role in the final scent and therapeutic quality of the oil.

Even within a single species, oils from different regions can smell completely distinct. A high-altitude French lavender might smell softer and more floral than the same species grown in a lower Mediterranean valley. These subtle shifts matter, especially if you’re blending for a specific mood, season, or scent profile.

Understanding these distinctions allows you to select the perfect lavender for your intended use—whether it’s a dreamy nighttime blend, an invigorating morning spray, or a beautifully balanced skincare oil.

The Main Types of Lavender Essential Oil

Below, we take a look at the three primary varieties of lavender essential oil and what makes each one unique.

1. Lavandula angustifolia (True Lavender)

Also known as: English Lavender, Fine Lavender, or simply True Lavender
Scent profile: Sweet, soft, floral, and herbaceous

Lavandula angustifolia grows best at higher altitudes, where the cooler climate encourages a delicate, complex oil rich in linalool and linalyl acetate, two compounds known for their gentle aromatic properties.

This is the most popular and widely used lavender essential oil—and with good reason. 

This lavender is the go-to for:

• Diffuser blends aimed at calm and balance
  

• Facial oils and skincare products for all skin types
  

• Bath salts and soaks
  

• Natural perfume and body mists
  

It’s often described as the most “classic” lavender scent—perfect for those looking for a softer, more elegant profile that doesn’t overwhelm.

This is the type offered by Wholesale Botanics under their Lavender Essential Oil listing.

2. Lavandula latifolia (Spike Lavender)

Also known as: Spike Lavender
Scent profile: Sharper, more camphorous, slightly medicinal, herbal

Grown at lower elevations, Lavandula latifolia produces an oil with a noticeably stronger, more invigorating scent than its high-altitude cousin. It contains higher levels of camphor, which contributes to its cooling, chest-opening aroma.

Because of this, spike lavender is often used in:

• Chest rubs and vaporizing blends
  

• Invigorating diffuser blends
  

• Cleaning sprays and linen refreshers
  

• Muscle massage oils when blended with a carrier
  

Its bolder scent can sometimes overpower more delicate oils, so it’s best used with care and in well-ventilated spaces. If you love the idea of lavender with a crisp, almost eucalyptus-like edge, spike lavender is the one to reach for.

3. Lavandula x intermedia (Lavandin)

Also known as: Lavandin, a hybrid of L. angustifolia and L. latifolia
Scent profile: Strong, slightly camphorous, floral-herbal, with a sharper finish

Lavandin is grown widely for commercial use due to its hardiness and high yield. It has a stronger scent than true lavender and retains some of the camphor qualities of spike lavender, making it a dynamic middle ground between the two.

Common uses include:

• Soaps, candles, and wax melts
  

• Outdoor sprays and bug-repellent blends
  

• Household cleaning formulas
  

• Energizing morning diffuser blends
  

Lavandin tends to linger in the air a bit longer, which makes it ideal for scent-heavy DIYs. While it may be too intense for delicate facial skincare, it’s wonderful in body oils, scrubs, and shower steamers.

Choosing the Right Lavender Oil for You

Here’s a quick breakdown to help guide your selection based on purpose and scent preference:

No matter which lavender you choose, proper dilution is key—especially if you’re using oils topically or around sensitive individuals.

Blending Tips for Lavender Oils

Lavender is known as the “universal oil” in aromatherapy because it blends well with almost anything. Its flexibility means you can adapt it to countless moods, settings, and purposes.

Here are some pairing ideas based on the type of lavender you're using:

• With floral oils (like rose, geranium, ylang ylang): Enhances romantic and feminine blends
  

• With citrus oil (like bergamot, lemon, sweet orange): Brightens mood and brings energy
  

• With herbaceous oils (like rosemary, clary sage, marjoram): Creates grounding, garden-fresh aromas
  

• With woodsy oils (like cedarwood, sandalwood, frankincense): Adds depth and warmth to diffuser or body blends
  

Start with just 1–2 drops of lavender and build from there. Stronger varieties, like spike or lavandin, can quickly dominate a blend, so it’s best to layer them slowly and mindfully.

More Ways to Use Different Types of Lavender

Lavender essential oil’s versatility means it shows up in many self-care rituals. Here are a few ideas tailored to the specific types:

• True Lavender (L. angustifolia): Add to a nighttime bath with Epsom salts and chamomile for a soft wind-down ritual.
  

• Spike Lavender: Blend with peppermint and eucalyptus for a post-workout massage oil or DIY vapor rub.
  

• Lavandin: Use in homemade laundry sprays or diffuser blends for fresh, brightening energy in the home.

You can also experiment with layering multiple types of lavender for added depth—lavandin and true lavender together can create a scent that’s both soft and vibrant, ideal for natural perfumes or meditation blends.

Embrace All Types of Lavender Essential Oil

All lavender essential oils share that familiar floral charm—but their subtle differences can elevate your aromatherapy game. Whether you’re reaching for the soft sweetness of L. angustifolia or the bold freshness of lavandin, there’s a lavender for every mood, blend, and project.

Choose based on your intentions, your scent preferences, and how you plan to use it. There’s no wrong answer—just lots of beautiful options.