Lavender is the most popular home fragrance note in the world, and it is also the most misunderstood. People think they know what lavender smells like because they have used lavender dish soap or a lavender dryer sheet. Then they smell real lavender - layered, herbal, slightly sweet, sometimes almost medicinal - and realize the grocery store version was a cartoon.
We carry lavender products from three different brands, and each one takes the note in its own direction. Here is how they compare and which ones might be right for your space.
P.F. Candle Co. Ojai Lavender: California Sun-Drenched Lavender
P.F.'s take on lavender is inspired by the lavender farms outside Ojai, California - sun-drenched fields with orange groves in the background. The note breakdown is pixie tangerine, bergamot, and eucalyptus on top. Lavender, rose, and lily form the heart. Mint and red cedar anchor the base.
This is lavender in a California context. The citrus and eucalyptus give it brightness and warmth that you do not find in most lavender products. It does not smell like a spa or a sleep aid. It smells like an afternoon in a beautiful place.
The Ojai Lavender lineup is the widest lavender range we carry:
- Incense ($11 for 15 sticks) - The most atmospheric way to experience this scent. One hour burn per stick. The smoke adds a slightly resinous quality to the lavender.
- Room Spray ($22 for 7.75oz) - Instant lavender citrus burst. Body-safe formula, which means you can spritz it on linens, in closets, or even on yourself.
- Air Freshener ($12) - Hang it in your car, closet, or wherever you need a subtle, ongoing lavender presence. Lasts 2-4 weeks.
All hand-made in Los Angeles with phthalate-free fragrance oils.
Broken Top Lavender Mint: Lavender with a Cool Edge
Broken Top's Lavender Mint adds a refreshing twist that wakes up the traditional lavender profile. Bergamot and lemon on top give it a citrusy brightness. Lavender sits in the heart, clean and herbal. Eucalyptus and mint form the base, adding a cooling quality that makes the whole thing feel energizing rather than sleepy.
This is not your grandmother's lavender sachet. The mint and eucalyptus turn it into something you would happily burn during the day - while working, cleaning, or just wanting your house to smell alive.
The Broken Top Lavender Mint line covers multiple formats:
- 9oz Soy Candle ($26) - 50-hour burn time. Strong enough for living rooms and open spaces. Hand-poured in Bend, Oregon.
- Room & Linen Spray ($16 for 4oz) - Quick hit of lavender mint freshness. Great on pillows before bed.
- Roll-On Perfume ($26 for 10ml) - Take the scent with you. Organic jojoba oil base that wears beautifully on skin.
- Bar Soap ($12) - Start your day with it. The lavender-mint combination is perfect in the shower.
This line is ideal if you want lavender that crosses from home fragrance into personal care. You can build a full lavender mint experience - candle in the living room, spray on the linens, soap in the shower, roll-on perfume when you leave the house.
Dilo Basil Mint + Lavender: The Herbal Garden Version
Dilo's No. 10 Basil Mint + Lavender takes a different approach entirely. Instead of leading with lavender, it builds an herb garden around it. Mint leaves and basil on top. Lavender and peppermint in the middle. Musk, orange blossom, and wood at the base.
The result feels more like standing in an herb garden than smelling a lavender candle. The basil adds a savory, almost culinary quality. The peppermint gives it snap. And the lavender weaves through everything as a calming thread rather than the main event.
- 3.5oz Amber Glass Candle ($12) - Burns 20-25 hours. Hand-poured in Philadelphia with 100% soy wax. The throw is fantastic - refreshing and calming yet surprisingly strong.
- Also available in the SHADES Collection ($36 for 10oz) - Same scent in a larger matte glass format that burns for 60 hours. Beautiful packaging if you want something gift-worthy.
This is the pick for people who think traditional lavender is boring. The herbal complexity makes it genuinely interesting to smell over time.
The Comparison at a Glance
| P.F. Ojai Lavender | Broken Top Lavender Mint | Dilo Basil Mint + Lavender | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lavender style | Sun-drenched, citrusy | Cool, refreshing | Herbal garden |
| Key companion notes | Tangerine, rose, cedar | Eucalyptus, mint, bergamot | Basil, peppermint, orange blossom |
| Formats | Incense, spray, air freshener | Candle, spray, perfume, soap | Candle (two sizes) |
| Mood | Warm California afternoon | Energizing, clean | Complex, botanical |
| Starting price | $11 (incense) | $12 (bar soap) | $12 (candle) |
Which Lavender Is Right for You?
P.F. Ojai Lavender is the best all-around lavender if you want variety in formats. The incense is particularly good - there is something about lavender and smoke together that works beautifully. And the room spray is one of the most versatile products we carry.
Broken Top Lavender Mint is ideal if you want a complete lavender lifestyle - candle at home, soap in the shower, perfume on your skin. The mint gives it enough edge that it never feels generic.
Dilo Basil Mint + Lavender is the one for people who want something genuinely different. If you have tried lavender candles before and found them boring or one-dimensional, this will change your mind. At $12 for the small candle, it is a low-risk experiment.
And if you want lavender home fragrance as a gift, any of these work - but the P.F. Ojai Lavender room spray or the Broken Top candle are the safest bets because lavender is universally well-received. Check out our home fragrance gift guide for more ideas.
Come smell the full lavender lineup at our fragrance bar - book a free scent flight at 311 Soquel Ave, or browse everything online for local pickup in Santa Cruz.