Growing lavender in Western Australia

Authors

Aileen Reid

Files

Publication Date

8-2000

Series Number

4454

Abstract

Lavender oil is an essential oil, derived from plants (genus Lavendulai primarily by steam distillation of the flowers. There are several types of lavender oil. The 'true' lavender oil, and the most highly prized, comes from Lavendula augustifolia; it is primarily used in the fragrance and perfume industry. World production is about 200 tonnes per year. Spike lavender oil, derived from Lavendula latifolia, has a world production of about 150-200 tonnes per year. Lavandin oil is derived from hybrids of L. augustifolia x L. latifolia that yield much higher than L. augustifolia but the oil is lower quality, hence it is considerably cheaper. World wide production of lavandin is thought to be about 1000 tonnes/year. Lavandin oils have largely replaced lavender oil except for the most expensive products. The oils are also used in some food and industrial products. There is a small but increasing use in aromatherapy.

Number of Pages

20

ISSN

1326-415X

Keywords

Botany, Cultivation, Harvesting, Chemical composition, Western Australia, Essential oil plants, Marketing, Crop management, Value added, Lavandula, economics, Uses, Production possibilities, Production

Disciplines

Agricultural Economics | Agronomy and Crop Sciences | Botany | Horticulture | Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmaceutics

Recommended Citation

Reid, A. (2000), Growing lavender in Western Australia. Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, Western Australia, Perth. Bulletin 4454.
https://library.dpird.wa.gov.au/bulletins/45