English lavender 'Alba' Lavandula angustifolia 'Alba'

👤 Non-toxic to humans

🐾 Non-toxic to pets

🌸 Blooming

🍪 Edible

‍🌱 Easy-care

ABOUT

A bushy, upright evergreen shrub with narrow linear silver-grey leaves bearing prolific spikes of fragrant, white flowers in summer.

Plant Info

Care

Common Problems

About this plant

Names
- Family
  Lamiaceae
- Synonyms
  English Lavender, Common Lavender, True Lavender, White Lavender
- Common names
  Lavandula officinalis 'Alba', Lavandula vera 'Alba', Lavandula spica 'Alba'
Characteristics
- Life cycle
  Perennials
- Foliage type
  Evergreen
- Color of leaves
  Gray-green
- Flower color
  White
- Height
  1-2 feet (30-60 cm)
- Spread
  2-3 feet (60-90 cm)
- Plant type
  Shrub
- Hardiness zones
  5
- Native area
  Mediterranean

Benefits

General Benefits
- Aesthetic Value: Lavandula angustifolia 'Alba', commonly known as white English lavender, has beautiful white flowers that add elegance and contrast to gardens and landscapes.
- Attracts Wildlife: It is known for attracting bees, butterflies, and other beneficial pollinators, supporting local ecosystems.
- Aromatic Foliage: The plant has a pleasant fragrance that can create a soothing and aromatic environment in gardens and outdoor spaces.
- Drought Resistance: White English lavender is drought-tolerant once established, making it suitable for xeriscaping and dry climate gardens.
- Low Maintenance: It requires minimal care, is resistant to deer and rabbits, and typically does not need regular fertilization.
- Long Blooming Season: The plant blooms from late spring to early summer, offering an extended period of visual interest.
- Culinary Uses: The flowers and leaves are edible and can be used in cooking to add flavor to various dishes.
- Companion Planting: It can benefit vegetable gardens by repelling certain pests, acting as a natural pest deterrent.
Medical Properties
- Anxiolytic effects: Lavender is traditionally used for its calming and relaxing properties, potentially easing anxiety and promoting emotional well-being.
- Sleep aid: Due to its relaxing effects, lavender may help improve sleep quality and manage insomnia.
- Antiseptic and anti-inflammatory: Lavender has been used for its antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties, which could help heal minor burns and bug bites.
- Analgesia: Lavender might possess pain-relieving properties, which could be beneficial for conditions like headaches, muscle pain, and rheumatic discomfort.
- Antispasmodic: It is sometimes used to alleviate symptoms of digestive spasms and discomfort.
- Carminative: Lavender can have carminative properties, which means it could potentially help reduce gas and bloating.
- Migraine relief: Some users may find that inhaling lavender scent helps to ease migraine symptoms.
- Cognitive function: Limited studies suggest that lavender aromatherapy could possibly have a positive effect on cognitive performance in individuals with dementia.
Please note that while these are traditional and potential medical uses of Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia 'Alba'), they should not be taken as medical advice, and you should always consult with healthcare professionals before beginning any alternative treatments.
Air-purifying Qualities
This plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses
- As a flavoring in baking: Lavender can be used in cakes, cookies, and other desserts to add a floral note.
- In homemade jams and jellies: The flowers of the lavender are sometimes infused into jams or jellies to provide a unique flavor twist.
- As a natural fabric dye: Lavender can be used to create a soft purple dye for fabrics and yarns.
- As a companion plant in the garden: Lavender is said to repel certain insects, making it useful when planted alongside other plants.
- In potpourris and sachets: Dried lavender flowers are commonly used in potpourris and sachets for a natural fragrance.
- In crafting lavender wands or bottles: The stems and flowers can be woven into wands or bottles to scent drawers and wardrobes.
- In decorative flower arrangements: Both fresh and dried, lavender adds an aromatic aesthetic to bouquets and centerpieces.
- As a natural moth repellent: Lavender is used in closets and drawers to deter moths and protect clothing.
- In homemade soap making: The scent and properties of lavender make it a popular choice for natural homemade soaps.
- For scenting candles and wax melts: Lavender oil or flowers can be used to create calming and aromatic candles or wax melts.

Interesting Facts

Feng Shui
The White Lavender is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign Compitability
The White Lavender is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism
- Purity: Because of its pristine white flowers, Lavandula angustifolia 'Alba', commonly known as white lavender, symbolizes purity and cleanliness.
- Calmness: Lavender is widely known for its soothing scent that promotes calmness and tranquility, often used in aromatherapy.
- Silence: Given its calming qualities, lavender is also associated with silence and peacefulness, reflecting quietude and serenity.
- Devotion: The enduring and evergreen nature of lavender can represent devotion and loyalty in a relationship.
- Healing: Historically, lavender has medicinal uses, so it symbolizes healing and restoration of health.
- Grace: The elegance of the plant, with its delicate flowers and gentle fragrance, can represent gracefulness and elegance.

💧

Every 1 to 2 weeks

Water

☀️

10000 - 20000 Lux

Light

💦️

40%

Humidity

🪴

Every 2 to 3 years

Repotting

🌱️

Spring-Early Summer

Propogation

✂️️

As needed

Pruning

Water
White Lavender should be watered deeply but infrequently. The plant prefers well-draining soil and does not like to be waterlogged. Typically, watering once every 1 to 2 weeks should be sufficient, depending on the climate and soil conditions. During the hotter months, you may need to water more often, but always check the soil moisture first. A good rule of thumb is to provide about 1 gallon of water per plant for each watering session.
Light
White Lavender thrives in full sun conditions, requiring at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight daily. The best spot for White Lavender is an area where it can bask in unobstructed daylight, as sunlight promotes better growth and flowering. Avoid placing it in shaded or partially shaded areas, as this can negatively impact its health and blooming.
Temperature
White Lavender performs best in a temperature range between 60°F and 70°F but can survive in temperatures as low as 20°F and as high as 90°F. Frost can be harmful, so provide protection if temperatures are expected to dip below 20°F. Conversely, during extreme heat, ensure that the plant receives adequate water to prevent stress.
Pruning
White Lavender should be pruned to encourage new growth and maintain shape. It is best pruned after flowering, typically in the late summer or early fall. Remove spent flower stalks and about a third of the current year's growth. Annual or biennial pruning helps to prevent the plant from becoming woody and unproductive.
Cleaning
As needed
Soil
White Lavender thrives in well-draining soil mix with coarse sand, perlite, and compost. The soil pH should be slightly alkaline, between 6.7 and 7.3 for optimal growth.
Repotting
White Lavender should be repotted every two to three years to refresh the soil and accommodate root growth.
Humidity & Misting
White Lavender prefers a dry atmosphere with low humidity, reflective of its native Mediterranean environment.
Suitable locations
- Indoor
  Use well-draining soil, south-facing window for light.
- Outdoor
  Plant in full sun, well-draining soil, protect from harsh winds.
- Hardiness zone
  5-9 USDA
Life cycle
Lavandula angustifolia 'Alba', commonly known as White Lavender, begins its life cycle as a seed that germinates in well-drained soil and moderate temperatures. Once the seedling emerges, it enters the vegetative stage, producing narrow leaves and forming a compact shrub. The plant then matures and enters the flowering stage where it produces white, fragrant flowers that are attractive to bees and butterflies during the late spring to early summer. After pollination, the flowers develop into small seed heads, which dry out and release seeds for the next generation. White Lavender is a perennial plant, so after the flowering period, it will enter a period of dormancy, particularly in colder climates, where it may die back and then regrow from the roots in the following growing season. Over several years, the plant grows larger and more woody until it eventually reaches the end of its life span and dies, completing the cycle.
Propogation
- Propogation time
  Spring-Early Summer
- Lavandula angustifolia 'Alba', commonly known as white English lavender, is typically propagated by taking semi-ripe cuttings during the summer months. Cuttings should be about 3-4 inches (7.6-10 cm) in length and taken from the current year's growth. The lower leaves are removed and the base of the cutting is dipped in rooting hormone before being planted in a well-draining soil mixture. Keeping the soil consistently moist and providing a warm environment can aid in rooting success. After several weeks, the cuttings should have developed roots and can be transplanted into individual pots before eventually being moved to their permanent location in the garden.