Infrastructure for commercial essential oil production is typically underwritten by governments. The most prevalent use of lavender is as a landscaping plant. Lavender has exacting cultural requirements. Essential oil distilled from lavender flowers is important in the practice of aromatherapy by naturopathic and alternative healers.
Lavender oil imported from France and New Zealand is used in the cosmetics and fragrance industry.
The main prerequisites for growing Mediterranean herbs are an abundance of sunshine and protection from frost damage. There are also preferred soil types. Lavender, a small evergreen shrubby perennial, must be propagated from cuttings for commercial production. Many cultivars are not winter hardy, and some exhibit poor rooting ability, limiting vegetative propagation and thus economic development. Essential oil is distilled from the flowers for the highest quality products.