This is a small to medium deciduous tree that grows 4-7 m up to about 10 metres tall. 

The lavender tree has drooping foliage. The leaves are narrowly elliptic and are arranged spirally. They are shiny dark green above and paler green below, slightly hairy to hairless when mature. When crushed they produce a strong lavender scent. The leaf petiole is slender and pink over the lower half.

The main stem is crooked and sometimes fluted. The bark is distinctively pale grey, often almost white and is flaking on the old stem. The flowers, which are yellowish green, appear in summer (December -March). They are very small, about 3 mm in diameter, and are borne in branched terminal clusters. They are sweetly scented. The fruitis a small oval capsule that is up to 4 x 2.5 mm. It appears between March and May. Its colour is shiny brown and it bears numerous seeds. When ready, it splits into 2 to 3 valves releasing the seeds, after which the old capsules may remain on the tree for months.