Growing Lavender Cotton—scientifically known as *Santolina*—is one of those gardening projects that really pays off. The plant is incredibly generous, though it does require you to snip off a few stems now and then to keep it happy. The best part? While the plant quickly pushes out fresh new growth after a trim, you get to use those clippings as a savory seasoning, a beautiful addition to bouquets, or even as a natural home remedy.
Lavender Cotton as a Healing Herb
The real magic of *Santolina* lies in its essential oils, bitters, tannins, and resins, which give the plant its medicinal properties. It can be stimulating, calming, or even help relieve cramps. If you’re looking for the most potent parts of the plant, focus on the flowers and the tips of the shoots. You can use them fresh or harvest them on a dry morning during the blooming season to dry for later. To dry them, just hang small bundles upside down in the air, or use an oven or dehydrator on a very low, gentle heat setting. Here is how you can use Lavender Cotton (sometimes called Cypress Herb) at home:
- Brew it as a tea for internal use.
- It acts as a stimulant and helps soothe stomach cramps.
- It’s great for relieving menstrual discomfort.
- Use it externally as a bath additive to calm irritated skin.
Quick Tip:
Got a mosquito bite or a pesky insect sting? Crush a few fresh leaves into a paste and dab it right on the spot. It helps take the itch away and speeds up the healing process.
Using it in the Kitchen
Yes, Lavender Cotton is edible! However, because it has such an intense flavor, you’ll want to use it sparingly. Most people describe the taste as savory with a slightly bitter edge. If you prefer a milder flavor, harvest the leaves just before the plant blooms; they get much stronger once the flowers arrive. Try finely chopping the leaves into a fresh salad or blending them with other herbs for a unique Mediterranean-style pesto.
For Bouquets and Bug Control
Those bright yellow button-like flowers look absolutely charming in a vase. You can also dry the flowering stems to add some texture to everlasting dried floral arrangements. But here’s the best part: mosquitoes and other pests can’t stand the smell of *Santolina*. You can totally use this to your advantage! If you can’t have a fresh plant nearby, dried sprigs work just as well. Try filling small herb sachets with dried flowers and tucking them into your closet to keep moths away from your clothes. In the kitchen, it’s a great natural deterrent for flour moths and fruit flies.
Quick Tip:
To keep your Lavender Cotton looking lush and bushy rather than leggy, make sure to give it a good pruning every year right after it finishes blooming. This encourages plenty of fresh new growth!
