Practical
Plants

Lavandula latifolia

Spike Lavender

a perennial woody evergreen member of the Lavandula genus in the family Labiatae.

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Taxonomy and growth

Family
Labiatae
Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
evergreen
Woodiness
woody
Height
0.35 m
Fertility
Bees, Lepidoptera
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Bees, Lepidoptera

Uses

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Leaves - raw[10][4]. Used as a condiment in salads[6]. Very aromatic[23], they cannot be eaten in quantity[K]. An essential oil from the flowers is used as a food flavouring[7].

Product or use
Condiment

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Spike lavender has similar medicinal properties to common lavender (L. angustifolia). It yields more essential oil than that species but is of inferior quality[16]. The flowering stems, and the essential oil obtained from them, is abortifacient, antibacterial, antiseptic, antispasmodic, carminative and emmenagogue[20][22][16]. They can be used in all the ways that common lavender is used, externally to treat wounds, burns, insect stings etc and internally to treat digestive disorders[16]. The essential oil is used in aromatherapy. Its keyword is 'Immune system'[13].

Product or use
Abortifacient
Product or use
Antibacterial
Product or use
Antiseptic
Product or use
Antispasmodic
Product or use
Aromatherapy
Product or use
Carminative
Product or use
Emmenagogue

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

An essential oil is obtained from the flowers - used in soap making, perfumery, food flavouring, veterinary medicines, porcelain painting etc[20][22]. This species yields up to three times the quantity of essential oil than is obtained from L. angustifolia, but the quality is inferior to that species[19][2][5]. When growing the plant for its essential oil content, it is best to harvest the flowering stems as soon as the flowers have faded[15]. The aromatic leaves and flowers are used as an insect repellent in the linen cupboard etc[20][22]. They are also used in pot-pourri[15] and are said to repel mice[11]. 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[15].

Product or use
Essential
Product or use
Incense
Product or use
Pot-pourri
Product or use
Repellent

Environment

Range
Europe - W. Mediterranean.
Habitat
Arid hillsides, especially on limestone[8].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
no shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 7+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerances
high wind, maritime exposure, drought
Wind
Yes
Maritime
Yes
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
tolerant
Salinity
tolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - sow spring in a greenhouse and only just cover the seed[19]. 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[24]. 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.

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Succeeds in almost any soil so long as it is well-drained and not too acid[1][12]. Prefers a sunny position in a neutral to alkaline soil[3][12]. Prefers a light warm dry soil[18]. When grown in rich soils the plants tend to produce more leaves but less essential oils[19]. Very tolerant of salt wind exposure. Established plants are drought tolerant[9]. 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[15]. This species of lavender is cultivated for its essential oil in S. France and England[20][22]. It is very closely related to L. angustifolia but perhaps not so hardy, tolerating temperatures down to about -10°c[2][12]. 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[12]. A good bee plant[23][14], also attracting butterflies and moths[17]. A good companion for most plants[21], growing well with cabbages[3].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  2. Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  3. Holtom. J. and Hylton. W. Complete Guide to Herbs. Rodale Press 1979-00-00 ISBN 0-87857-262-7

    ↩1↩2

  4. Bryan. J. and Castle. C. Edible Ornamental Garden. Pitman Publishing 1976-00-00 ISBN 0-273-00098-5

    ↩

  5. Hill. A. F. Economic Botany. The Maple Press 1952-00-00

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  6. Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984-00-00 ISBN 3874292169

    ↩

  7. Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9

    ↩

  8. Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Shrubs. Pan Books 1989-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30258-2

    ↩

  9. Chatto. B. The Dry Garden. Dent 1982-00-00 ISBN 0460045512

    ↩

  10. Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications 1972-00-00 ISBN 0-486-20459-6

    ↩

  11. Riotte. L. Companion Planting for Successful Gardening. Garden Way, Vermont, USA. 1978-00-00 ISBN 0-88266-064-0

    ↩

  12. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  13. Westwood. C. Aromatherapy - A guide for home use. Amberwood Publishing Ltd 1993-00-00 ISBN 0-9517723-0-9

    ↩

  14. Baines. C. Making a Wildlife Garden.

    ↩

  15. Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. 1994-00-00 ISBN 0-7090-5440-8

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  16. Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London 1996-00-00 ISBN 9-780751-303148

    ↩1↩2↩3

  17. Carter D. Butterflies and Moths in Britain and Europe. Pan 1982-00-00 ISBN 0-330-26642-x

    ↩

  18. Thompson. B. The Gardener's Assistant. Blackie and Son. 1878-00-00

    ↩

  19. Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9

    ↩1↩2↩3

  20. Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  21. Hatfield. A. W. How to Enjoy your Weeds. Frederick Muller Ltd 1977-00-00 ISBN 0-584-10141-4

    ↩

  22. Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  23. Chiej. R. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-356-10541-5

    ↩1↩2

  24. Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co 1948-00-00

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