Difference Between Lavender And Lilac (Color & Flower)

Lavender And Lilac Color 

Lilac and lavender are two popular tints or color variations of color purple. They are both pale shades of purple but lilac has a pink tint to it while lavender has a blue tint to it. On the hex color chart used by designers, lilac and lavender are conspicuously different. Colloquially, these two colors are considered very similar and the names are sometimes used interchangeably. Part of the reason is that people tend to associate lavender with the color of a lavender flower, which is much closer in appearance to lilac than its web color.  The hex code for lavender is #E6E6FA whereas the hex code for lilac is #C8A2C8.

Both lavender and lilac colors are named after lavender and lilac flowers respectively. Both colors have strong connections to the femininity. Each color has its own shades and varieties. Variations or shades of lavender include: Lavender blue, lavender gray, lavender pink, twilight lavender, old lavender, English lavender, web color lavender etc. On the other hand, varieties of lilac include: Rich lilac, pale lilac, French lilac, bright lilac etc.

What You Need To Know About Lavender Color

  • Lavender is a medium purple or light pinkish-purple with a bluish tinge. 
  • Lavender is lighter and more gentle color than purple
  • Shades of lavender color are: Bright lavender, Medium lavender magenta, Lavender pink and lavender magenta.
  • The hex code for lavender is #E6E6FA.
  • The term lavender may be used in general to apply to a wide range of pale, light or grayish-purple but only on the blue side.
  • Lavender is obtained by mixing purple with white.
  • On the color wheel, lavender is considered a cool color because of its blue undertones.
  • Lavender is often used in nurseries and kids’ rooms. It’s basically a neutral shade suitable for both girls and boys.
  • In order to get a feminine look, lavender can have a reddish-pinkish hue and it can be paired with violet, magenta and other shades.
  • Every version of lavender looks bright and crisp with white while purple versions look appealing with orange and lime green. The grayer tones complements well with beige, yellow, golden, magenta and warm browns.
  • Lavender is highly associated with elegance and grace.
  • Lavender has a hue angle of 240 degrees, a saturation of 66.7% and a lightness of 94.1%.
  • Lavender has RGB values of R: 90.2, G: 90.2, B: 98 and CMYK values of C: 0.08, M: 0.08, Y: 0, K: 0.03.

What You Need To Know About Lilac Color

  • Lilac is a pale purple with a pinkish tinge. It can also be described as dark mauve or light blue
  • Lilac color can be pale lilac, rich lilac or deep lilac.
  • The hex code for lilac is #C8A2C8
  • Lilac is made by mixing red and blue. Usually, adding a bit of white paint will lighten the shade to create lilac’s pastel hue.
  • On the color wheel, lilac’s pink tint puts it towards the warm end of the wheel.
  • According to color psychology, lilac is considered a soothing color that can encourage emotional expression.
  • Lilac is considered a feminine, graceful color, its connection with flowers means, it’s often associated with romance and affection.
  • Lilac is a gentle, versatile color. For a bright palette, it complements well with colors like orange, yellow, olive green and gray. It also looks great with analogous shades of purple or alongside a soft pink. 
  • Lilac has a hue angle of 300 degrees, a saturation of 25.7% and a lightness of 71%.
  • Lilac has RGB values of R: 78.4, G: 63.5, B: 78.4 and CMYK values of C: 0, M: 0.19, Y: 0, K: 0.22.

Also Read: Difference Between Maroon And Burgundy

Difference Between Lavender And Lilac Color In Tabular Form

BASIS OF COMPARISON LAVENDER COLOR LILAC COLOR
Description Lavender is a medium purple or light pinkish-purple with a bluish tinge.    Lilac is a pale purple with a pinkish tinge.  
Main Difference Lavender has a blue tint. Lilac has a pink hue.    
Shades Bright lavender, Medium lavender magenta, Lavender pink and lavender magenta.   Lilac color can be pale lilac, rich lilac or deep lilac.  
Hex Code The hex code for lavender is #E6E6FA.   The hex code for lilac is #C8A2C8  
Preparation Lavender is obtained by mixing purple with white.   Lilac is made by mixing red and blue.
Color Wheel On the color wheel, lavender is considered a cool color because of its blue undertones.   Lilac’s pink tint puts it towards the warm end of the wheel.
Color Psychology Lavender is highly associated with elegance and grace.   Lilac is considered a feminine, graceful color, its connection with flowers means, it’s often associated with romance and affection.  
Pairing / Complementary Color It can be paired with violet, orange, magenta, beige, lime green, yellow, golden, magenta and warm browns.       It complements well with colors like orange, yellow, olive green and gray. It also looks great with analogous shades of purple or alongside a soft pink.   
Statistics  Lavender has a hue angle of 240 degrees, a saturation of 66.7% and a lightness of 94.1%.   Lilac has a hue angle of 300 degrees, a saturation of 25.7% and a lightness of 71%.  
RGB & CMYK Values Lavender has RGB values of R: 90.2, G: 90.2, B: 98 and CMYK values of C: 0.08, M: 0.08, Y: 0, K: 0.03.   Lilac has RGB values of R: 78.4, G: 63.5, B: 78.4 and CMYK values of C: 0, M: 0.19, Y: 0, K: 0.22.  

Lavender And Lilac Flower

Levandula commonly referred to as Lavender is a genus of 47 known species of flowering plant in the mint family, Lamiaceae. The Genus includes annual or short-lived herbaceous perennial plants and shrub-like perennials, subshrubs or small shrubs. Flowers of lavender are borne in whorls, held on spike rising above the foliage, the spikes being branched in some species. Some species produce colored bracts at the apices. The flowers color ranges from deep bluish-purple to soft purple-grey hues. The calyx is tubular. The corolla is also tubular, usually with five lobes (the upper lip often cleft, and the lower lip has two clefts).

Syringa commonly referred to as lilac is a genus of 12 known species of flowering woody plants in the olive family, Oleaceae. The leaves are opposite in arrangement and their shape is simple and heart-shaped to broad lanceolate in most species, but pinnate in a few species. The flowers are arranged in pairs or in whorls of three, with a tubular base opening up into a trumpet shape. The clusters of flowers range in color from cool light purple to pinkish mauve hues. The flowers grow in large panicles and in several species have a strong fragrance. Flowering varies between mid spring to early summer, depending on the species. The fruit is a dry, brown capsule, splitting in two at maturity to release the two winged seeds.

What You Need To Know About Lavender Flower

  • Lavender is a small plant with more fragrant soft needle like leaves.
  • Lavender is a grouping of related plants in the genus Levandula. A member of the mint family Lamiaceae.  
  • The plant flowers are produced in whorls held on spikes rising above the foliage and some of the spikes are branched in lavender.  
  • Lavender flower color ranges from deep bluish-purple to soft purple-grey hues.
  • The flowers have culinary uses and are widely incorporated into herbal teas and condiments.
  • Lavender has a distinctive scent which is light and fresh, floral but not overwhelmingly heavy.
  • The lavender is cultivated both as a garden ornamental and for their essential oils.

What You Need To Know About Lilac Flower

  • Lilac is a very large hardy shrub that comes up from canes and bloom flowers in the summer.
  • It is a member of the Olive family, Oleaceae and its botanical name is Syringa vulgaris.
  • The flowers are arranged in pairs or in whorls of three, with a tubular base opening up into a trumpet shape.
  • The clusters of flowers range in color from cool light purple to pinkish mauve hues.
  • The smell of lilac is more deeply and richly floral, reminiscent of rose with hints of vanilla.
  • Lilac is used in herbal medicine and aromatherapy.
  • It’s attractive and sweet-smelling flowers makes it popular as a garden ornamental shrub.

Also Read: Difference Between Thunder And Lightning

Difference Between Lavender And Lilac Flower In Tabular Form

BASIS OF COMPARISON LAVENDER FLOWER LILAC FLOWER
Description Lavender is a small plant with more fragrant soft needle like leaves.   Lilac is a very large hardy shrub that comes up from canes and bloom flowers in the summer.  
Family Lavender is a grouping of related plants in the genus Levandula. A member of the mint family Lamiaceae.     It is a member of the Olive family, Oleaceae and its botanical name is Syringa vulgaris.  
Flower Arrangement The plant flowers are produced in whorls held on spikes rising above the foliage and some of the spikes are branched in lavender.     The flowers are arranged in pairs or in whorls of three, with a tubular base opening up into a trumpet shape.  
Flower Color Lavender flower color ranges from deep bluish-purple to soft purple-grey hues.   The clusters of flowers range in color from cool light purple to pinkish mauve hues.  
Scent/Smell Lavender has a distinctive scent which is light and fresh, floral but not overwhelmingly heavy.   The smell of lilac is more deeply and richly floral, reminiscent of rose with hints of vanilla.  
Use The flowers have culinary uses and are widely incorporated into herbal teas and condiments.   Lilac is used in herbal medicine and aromatherapy.  
Gardening Purpose The lavender is cultivated both as a garden ornamental and for their essential oils.   It’s attractive and sweet-smelling flowers makes it popular as a garden ornamental shrub.