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Lavender flower

Lavender flower suppliers and sourcing guide

Lavender flower is the dried flower or flowering top of Lavandula angustifolia (true or English lavender), grown mainly in France, Bulgaria, the UK and the US. Flowers are harvested in bloom, dried and sold as whole buds, cut flowers or powder for teas, baking, sachets and cosmetics; the essential oil and lavandin (Lavandula x intermedia) are separate products. Culinary buyers usually specify true lavender rather than lavandin.

See suppliersWhat to ask for on the COA
Also known as
Lavandula angustifolia · Lavandula officinalis · English lavender · lavender buds
Facts checked
November 2026

Forms and grades of lavender flower

Suppliers sell different products under the same name. Specify the one you need.

  • Whole dried buds

    Sifted flower buds graded by color and stem content for tea, baking and cosmetics.

  • Flower powder

    Milled flowers for blends and cosmetics.

  • Extracts

    Water, glycerin or ethanol extracts of the flower for drinks and cosmetics.

  • Organic

    Flowers from certified organic farms, with the certificate tied to the lot.

What to check on the COA

Compare each result with your own specification when the lot arrives.

Identity
Macroscopic examination and essential oil profile to confirm Lavandula angustifolia rather than lavandin or spike lavender.
Volatile oil content
Volatile oil by steam distillation (mL per kg) and, where specified, linalool and linalyl acetate by GC.
Foreign matter and stems
Percentage of stems, leaves and other material.
Pesticide residues
Multi-residue screen, required for organic claims and commonly requested for conventional material.
Microbiology
Total plate count, yeast and mold, E. coli and Salmonella. Raw herb powders carry more microbial load than extracts and may be steam treated, which should be stated on the COA.
Heavy metals
Lead, arsenic, cadmium and mercury, usually by ICP-MS, checked against the buyer's limits and Prop 65 exposure targets where relevant.

Storage, lots and expiry

Storage and shelf life

Keep lavender flowers in sealed, lined bags or tins in a cool, dark, dry place, because light and heat drive off the volatile oil and fade the color. Keep away from strongly scented goods. Shelf life follows the supplier's spec, with color and volatile oil checked at retest.

Lots and expiry dates

Color, aroma and oil content vary with variety, harvest and drying, so compare lots with a retained sample and the COA. Record the supplier lot, species or variety, crop year and retest date.

Regulatory status

Facts from regulators and standards bodies, each linked to its source.

  • 21 CFR 182.10 lists lavender (Lavandula officinalis Chaix.) among spices and other natural seasonings and flavorings generally recognized as safe for their intended use.

    Source: ecfr.gov (opens in a new tab)

  • 21 CFR 182.20 also lists lavender among essential oils, oleoresins (solvent-free) and natural extractives generally recognized as safe for their intended use.

    Source: ecfr.gov (opens in a new tab)

  • The EU Novel Food status Catalogue entry for Lavandula angustifolia (POL-NF-00463) lists the flowering top as not novel in food and the flowers and essential oil as not novel in food supplements.

    Source: ec.europa.eu (opens in a new tab)

This is general information, not regulatory advice. Status differs by country and by how the ingredient is used, so check the rules for your product and market.

Lavender flower suppliers

Manufacturers and distributors whose own websites say they sell it.

We are checking lavender flower suppliers now

Every listing is checked against the supplier’s own website before it goes live, so this list fills in over the coming weeks. The specs and COA checklist above are ready today.

Sell lavender flower? Request a listing

Frequently asked questions

What forms of lavender flower can brands buy?

Common forms include whole dried buds, flower powder, extracts and organic. Ask each supplier for the specification sheet of the exact grade they quote.

What should the COA for lavender flower include?

Expect identity, volatile oil content, foreign matter and stems, pesticide residues, microbiology and heavy metals, each with its method, specification and result for that lot.

How should lavender flower be stored?

Keep lavender flowers in sealed, lined bags or tins in a cool, dark, dry place, because light and heat drive off the volatile oil and fade the color. Keep away from strongly scented goods. Shelf life follows the supplier's spec, with color and volatile oil checked at retest.

What is the regulatory status of lavender flower?

21 CFR 182.10 lists lavender (Lavandula officinalis Chaix.) among spices and other natural seasonings and flavorings generally recognized as safe for their intended use. 21 CFR 182.20 also lists lavender among essential oils, oleoresins (solvent-free) and natural extractives generally recognized as safe for their intended use. The EU Novel Food status Catalogue entry for Lavandula angustifolia (POL-NF-00463) lists the flowering top as not novel in food and the flowers and essential oil as not novel in food supplements.

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