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For the color shade, see Lavender (color)

The Lavenders are the genus Lavandula of flowering plant in the mint family, Lamiaceae. They are small woody plants. The name is most often applied to those species in the genus that are grown as herbs and for ornament. The commonest forms of these is the English Lavender , Lavandula angustifolia (formerly L. officinalis). A wide range of cultivated forms can be found. Other commonly grown ornamental species are L. stoechas, L. dentata, L. multifida.

Lavenders are much grown in gardens. Flower spikes are used for dried flower arrangements. The fragrant, pale purple flowers and flower buds are used in potpourri s. Dried and sealed in pouches, they are placed among stored items of clothing to give a fresh fragrance and as a deterrent to moths. The plant is also grown commercially for extraction of lavender oil from the flowers. This oil is used as an antiseptic and for aromatherapyAromatherapy is the use of essential oils, absolutes, carrier oils and other fragrances from plants to affect someone's mood or health, and is commonly associated with alternative medicine. One of the best known essential oils for aromatherapy is lavender.

Lavender blossoms yield abundant nectarIn Greek mythology, nectar and ambrosia are the food of the gods. It is believed that the two terms were not originally distinguished—though in Homer's poems and later works, nectar is the drink and ambrosia the food. On the other hand, in Alcman nectar i which yields a high quality honeyHoney is a sweet and viscous fluid produced by bees and other insects from the nectar of flowers. The flavor and color of the substance is largely determined by the type of the flowers from which the nectar is gathered. Common flavours of honey include or for beekeepers. Lavender varietal honey is produced primarily in the nations around the Mediterranean, and marketed worldwide as a premium product. Lavender blossoms can be candied and are used as cake decoration. Lavender is also used as a herb, either alone or as an ingredient of herbes de ProvenceHerbes de Provence is a mix of dried herbs with its origin in Provence in southern France. This mixture usually contains rosemary, marjoram, sage and thyme. In addition manufacturers might add in rare cases a choice of fennel seed, lavender, basil, summer.

The genus Lavandula includes annualsAn annual is a plant that usually germinates, flowers and dies in one year. Some perennials and biennials are grown in gardens as annuals for convenience, particularly if they are not considered hardy for the local climate. Annuals are often used in garde, herbaceous plants and sub-shrubs, and small shrubs. The native range of the genus extends across the Canary Islands, North and East Africa, south Europe and the Mediterranean, Arabia, and India. Because the cultivated forms are planted in gardens world-wide, they are occasionally found growing wild, as garden escapes, well beyond their natural range.