The RHS does not say which lavender is best indoors, but it does describe the main types and their sizes. English lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) is hardy and long-lived, French lavender (L. stoechas) is slightly less hardy and can be short-lived, and a few species need protection over winter. For pots, the compact English cultivars listed by the RHS lavender plant guide are the smallest.
The types the RHS describes
| Type | What the RHS says |
|---|---|
| English (L. angustifolia, L. x intermedia) | Long-lived and hardy; thrives in containers |
| French (L. stoechas) | Slightly less hardy; may need replacing every few years |
| Less hardy species (L. canariensis, L. dentata, L. lanata, L. pinnata) | Need protection under cover over winter; water sparingly to avoid rot and grey mould |
Compact cultivars from the RHS list
| Cultivar | Type | Height | Width |
|---|---|---|---|
| ‘Hidcote’ | English | 0.1 to 0.5 m | 0.5 to 1 m |
| ‘Miss Muffet’ | English | 0.1 to 0.5 m | 0.1 to 0.5 m |
| ‘Nana Alba’ | English, dwarf white | 0.1 to 0.5 m | 0.1 to 0.5 m |
| ‘Miss Katherine’ | English | 0.5 to 1 m | 0.5 to 1 m |
| ‘Hidcote Giant’ | English hybrid | 0.5 to 1 m | 1 to 1.5 m |
The sizes are the RHS figures for plants in the border, not pot-grown sizes. They show which cultivars stay low: ‘Hidcote’, ‘Miss Muffet’ and ‘Nana Alba’ are listed as 0.1 to 0.5 m tall.
French and Spanish types in pots
The RHS French, Spanish and hybrid lavender page says French, Spanish and hybrid lavenders are popular container plants, bloom from late spring through late summer, and are less cold-tolerant than English types. It says to bring them under cover in winter and that they cannot handle waterlogged or frozen soil. It notes the flowers have a sweet, honey-like fragrance that the strongly scented foliage can mask.
What the sources do not cover
Neither RHS page recommends a type for indoor growing, and neither covers conservatory or houseplant culture beyond winter protection. This page does not rank cultivars for indoor use. Whatever you choose, it needs the strong light covered in Can You Grow Lavender Indoors?.
Frequently asked questions
Which lavender is best for pots?
The RHS says English lavenders thrive in containers and lists compact cultivars such as ‘Hidcote’, ‘Miss Muffet’ and ‘Nana Alba’. It does not say which is best indoors.
Is French lavender less hardy?
Yes, slightly, according to the RHS, and it may need replacing every few years.
Does French lavender smell different?
The RHS describes a sweet, honey-like fragrance that the strongly scented foliage can mask.
Sources read for this page
Last reviewed 15 October 2026. Written by Md. Firozur Rahman. This page gives general guidance and cannot diagnose a plant from a description; see the Disclaimer.
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