Pruning lavender can feel a little scary. It is a plant you love. You do not want to hurt it. You might not know where to cut.
But pruning is a good thing. It is like giving your plant a haircut. A haircut keeps it healthy and strong. It makes sure your plant will have many beautiful flowers.
This guide will show you how to prune lavender. We will make it easy. We will give you simple steps. You will learn when to prune and how to do it right. After you read this, you will feel ready to help your lavender grow its best.
Why You Must Prune Your Lavender
Lavender is a special plant. It is a semi-woody shrub. This means it has stems that turn into wood over time.
If you do not prune it, bad things can happen.
The plant gets “leggy.” This means it gets tall and skinny. The stems get long. They have very few leaves and flowers.
The plant gets a “hole” in the middle. The stems will fall open and to the sides. This leaves an ugly hole in the middle.
The plant gets sick. Old, woody stems can get diseases.
The plant can break. The old stems are weak. They can break off in the wind or from the weight of snow.
The plant does not live as long. Pruning makes the plant stronger. It helps it live for many years.
Pruning keeps your plant full and bushy. It makes the plant have more flowers. It is the most important job for your lavender.
The Simple Tools You Need
You only need one or two simple tools to prune lavender.
Hand Pruners: These are small clippers. They are perfect for small jobs. They work well for cutting single stems.
Hedge Shears: These are bigger tools. They look like a large pair of scissors. They are good for a big plant. They let you cut a lot of stems at once.
How to Keep Your Tools Clean: It is very important to clean your tools. If your tools are dirty, they can pass a sickness from one plant to another.
- Take a small bucket.
- Pour a little rubbing alcohol into it.
- Dip your tool blades into the alcohol.
- Wipe the tools with a clean paper towel.
It is a good idea to do this before you start. You should also do it after you finish.
When to Prune Lavender: The Simple Calendar
There are three main times to prune your lavender. You do not have to do all of them. But a summer pruning is the most important one.
Pruning in Early Spring: This is a light clean-up. You can do this right as new green leaves start to grow. You can cut off any parts that look dead from the winter. Just make sure you do not cut off new buds.
Pruning in Mid-to-Late Summer: This is the most important time to prune. You should do this after the first big group of flowers has finished. This will make the plant grow more flowers. It will also keep the plant from getting too long and woody.
Pruning in the Fall: You can do a light trim in the fall. Do this only if your plant is still growing. You want to tidy up the plant. Do not do it too late. Your plant needs about 6 weeks to rest before the first hard frost.
How to Prune Lavender: The 3 Easy Steps
Step 1: Find the Right Spot to Cut. This is the most important step. Look at your plant. You will see two parts.
The woody part: This is the old, brown, woody bottom of the stem. It does not have many leaves.
The green part: This is the new part. It has a lot of new green leaves.
You should only cut into the new, green part of the plant. Do not cut into the old, woody part. The old wood will not grow new leaves.
Step 2: Cut It Back. The simple rule is to cut the plant back by about one-third.
Use your pruners or shears.
Cut the stems back. You should leave at least 2 inches of the green part on each stem.
It is okay to cut off all the flowers. You can use them for bouquets.
Step 3: Shape Your Plant. As you cut, you can shape your plant. Most people like a round shape. A simple, round mound is best. It lets the sun get to all parts of the plant. A round shape also helps water drain off. This keeps the plant healthy.
How to Prune Lavender by the Seasons
Let’s make this even more simple. Here is what to do in each season.
Spring Pruning
- This is a small job.
- Wait for new green leaves to pop out.
- Look for any stems that are dry or broken.
- Cut those stems off at the base.
- Give the plant a light trim to tidy its shape.
Summer Pruning (The Big Pruning)
- This is the most important one.
- Wait until the flowers have finished blooming.
- Use your pruners. Cut the plant back by one-third.
- Remove all the old flowers and their stems.
- Make a nice, rounded shape.
Fall Pruning
- This is only for tidy-up.
- Cut off any long, out-of-place stems.
- Trim the plant into a neat shape.
- Make sure you do this at least 6 weeks before the first hard frost.
Pruning Different Kinds of Lavender
There are many types of lavender. The most common ones are English, French, and Spanish lavender. They all need to be pruned. The only real difference is when they bloom.
English Lavender: This is a very popular type. It is strong. It blooms early in the summer. You should prune it right after it finishes blooming.
French Lavender: This type blooms a little later. You can prune it after its blooms fade. It is not as strong in the winter.
Spanish Lavender: This one can start to bloom very early in the spring. Wait for its first set of flowers to finish. Then you can prune it.
Do not prune all your lavender plants on the same day. Wait until each type has finished blooming.
What If I Don’t Prune My Lavender?
If you skip pruning, your plant will get old fast. The stems will turn woody. The plant will not look pretty. It will not have as many flowers.
The old wood can get a big hole in the middle. The plant can break open. It can get sick. An unpruned plant will not live as long. Pruning keeps your lavender young and healthy. It is a simple job that makes a big difference.
What If I Did It Wrong?
It is okay to make a mistake. Here are some simple fixes.
My plant looks like a porcupine. You forgot to prune it last year. That is okay. In the spring, cut off all the old flowers and stems. Do not cut too far down. Then, give it a big pruning in the summer.
I cut too far down. You cut into the old, woody part. This can be a problem. The old wood will not grow back. The plant might look bald for a while. It might not grow back at all. The best thing to do is to wait. You might have to start over with a new plant.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Can I cut my lavender back to the ground?
A: No. Do not do this. You will kill your plant. Always leave at least a few inches of green stems.
Q: Should I prune a new plant?
A: Yes. Even a new plant needs a little trim. A light pruning will help it grow fuller and bushier. It will not get leggy.
Q: Can I prune lavender in the winter?
A: No. It is a bad idea. Pruning makes the plant put out new growth. New growth will die in the cold winter air. It can hurt the plant.
Q: Should I cut off the old flowers?
A: Yes. This is called deadheading. It is a good thing to do. It makes the plant tidy. It can also make more flowers grow.
Q: My plant looks woody. Can I save it?
A: You can try. Prune it in the spring. Cut back to the lowest new leaf. Then, prune it again in the summer. It might take a few years to look good again. If it is too old, you might have to replace it.
Q: How do I get more flowers?
A: Pruning is the number one way to get more flowers. The plant needs a good haircut to grow more. Giving it a little plant food in the spring can also help.
Q: My lavender looks brown. Is it dead?
A: Not always. Sometimes it just looks that way after a cold winter. Wait for new green leaves in the spring before you give up on it. Then, prune off all the old, brown parts.
Q: How do I use the flowers?
A: You can cut the flowers and dry them. You can use them in your home for a nice smell. You can also use them for cooking.
Q: How do I know when to stop pruning in the fall?
A: A simple rule is to know your first frost date. Do not prune after six weeks before that date. This gives your plant time to rest.
Q: My plant has a big hole in the middle. What happened?
A: This happens when a plant is not pruned. The stems get too long and fall to the side. The hole will not fix itself. You have to keep pruning the plant to make it fuller.
Q: What is a semi-woody shrub?
A: It is a plant that has some stems that turn into wood. A lavender plant does this. The top part is soft, and the bottom part is hard and woody.
This guide should help you feel ready to prune your lavender. A little work now will give you a beautiful plant for years to come.