When you’re pruning lavender plants that are established, aim to remove at least one-third of all growth. With older plants, you can cut back to a point that’s three leaf pairs above the woody stem area. Don’t cut into the woody area, because the buds on those stems won’t sprout.

When and how do you prune lavender?

Left to their own devices, lavender can become woody and ungainly, so to keep plants compact and attractive, it’s best to trim them annually in late summer, just after flowering has finished. Remove any spent flower stalks and about 2.5cm (1in) of leaf growth.

How far can you cut back a lavender bush?

The consensus about clipping lavender is that the leafy, silver-green stems should be cut down to two or three buds above where it becomes hard and woody (leaving about 2cms of the year’s soft growth).

When should you trim a lavender bush?

1. Prune right after the first flowering and again in late August after the last flush has faded.
2. Cut off about 2/3 of the plant’s height or to just above the bottom two sets of leaves on each stem.
3. Take care not to cut into the woody part of the plant which can cause damage.

How do you prune a lavender Bushy Bush?

The next step for trimming lavender is to prune one-third of the plant. This will force the lavender to create new and more growth, which will not only keep the bush from going woody, but will also help to increase the amount of lavender available for harvest later in the season.

Can you hard prune lavender?

Take a bunch of shoots in your hands, then cut back at least two-thirds of the length with a good pair of pruning shears. Cut a few nodes above the woody base of the bush, but never prune too close to the bottom because they may not grow back.

What happens if you don't prune lavender?

An annual pruning is an important step for long-lasting lavender (Lavandula spp. and hybrids) plants. Without it they grow a large, lanky, woody base that can split open — it looks bad and shortens the plant’s lifespan.

Can I prune lavender in November?

Lavender is an evergreen shrub, so it retains foliage year round. It’s best to do your first prune before the fall, but hardier varieties can respond well to a fall pruning before the winter.

Should you deadhead lavender?

Lavenders thrive if pruned back fairly hard but never cut back into old wood as most lavender plants won’t re-grow from this. … Dead-head French lavenders throughout the summer as they’ll flower continuously from May to September. Deadheading will also encourage more flowering through the season.

Can I prune lavender in March?

The first trim needs be done by early March. This is the trim that tidies up your plants for summer and encourages lots of flowers. Lavender that was planted last year must not be spared! … If the weather turns frosty early, it won’t hurt to cover up your plants for the first few frosts to give them a bit more time.

Article first time published on

How do you winterize lavender?

Given the proper planting conditions, though, lavender is extremely easy to winterize. Remove your lavender’s flower stalks when the flowers begin to fade. Cut the stalks off as close to the leaves as possible. If your lavender has outgrown its spot you can reduce its size by one-third.

How long does lavender last?

Lavenders are perennial sub shrubs that can live for 10 -15 years with the optimal care. In cold climates, non English lavenders will only last a year if left outside due to frost. French lavenders tend to be much more then short lived then English lavenders with 5 years considered a long life span.

How do you fix woody lavender?

The plant cannot produce new growth from the woody parts. When you’re pruning woody lavender plants, it’s also a good idea not to prune all of the plant at the same time. Instead, work slowly, trimming back each branch, but never cutting into the brown wood. You can trim branches back by one-third or one-half.

How do you get lavender to stand up?

On hot days, lavender will droop to conserve water, even if it’s not thirsty. It’s just a natural strategy to stay hydrated. If you notice your plant drooping but don’t think it’s overwatered or in the wrong kind of soil, check on it later when the day is cooler. It may very well have perked up on its own.

How many times a year does lavender bloom?

English lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) is most common and hardy to Zone 5. There are hundreds of varieties available in many colors and sizes. It often blooms twice in one season.

Why does my lavender look dead?

The most common reasons for a Lavender plant dying are improper watering, over-fertilization, acidic soil pH, diseases, pests, or inadequate sunlight. Careful inspection of the plant and growing conditions are essential to help identify and fix the issue.

What happens if you cut lavender back too far?

If you cut back too far, you can kill the plant. These are best pruned right after bloom in late spring. … If your lavender bush is looking ragged, it may not have been pruned for a few years. If it is several years old and has never been pruned, it may not survive heavy pruning.

How do you prune overgrown lavender?

1. Cut back the top one-third of the lavender plant in late winter or early spring, when new growth begins near the base of the plant. …
2. Trim out the flower spikes after half the florets on each spike open if you want to harvest the flowers.

How do you save a woody lavender plant?

Small shoots emerging from the woody base indicate that stems should regenerate. 2 CUT OUT OLD GROWTH Carefully cut out the old growth above the young shoots to open up the middle of the plant. Use sharp secateurs to cut as close as you can to the new growth without harming it.

What do you do with lavender after it blooms?

Cut lavender stems back after they finish flowering for the first time to encourage a second flush of blooms. Shape your plant as desired, cutting into green growth about 1 to 3 inches below the flowers. Garden Gate Magazine suggests keeping the outside stems lower than the middle stems. Do not cut into old wood.

Should I cover lavender for winter?

If you live where subfreezing winter temperatures are common, it’s helpful to cover your lavender plants with evergreen boughs once you’ve had your first frost and the ground is cold. … The covering also provides protection from cold winter winds that can dry out the plants and cause die-back of stems.

Is it too late to trim lavender?

Pruning Lavender: Depending on the type of lavender that you are growing pruning should take place between August and September, once the flowers are past their best. … One of the worst things for a lavender plant is to leave pruning too late and then consistent wet and cold weather sets in.

How do you cut back lavender for winter?

Remove any dead branches all the way down to the hedge bottom. (see image) Following a harsh winter season as seen during the winter of 2013-14 (see 2014 Winter Blog) you may want to prune the entire lavender bush down to the bare woody hedge.

What month does lavender bloom?

Flowering typically occurs as early as May (in areas with mild summers and winters) with another flush of blooms in June followed by another flush of color in late summer or fall.

Will lavender come back every year?

Lavender is a Low-Maintenance Perennial And this beauty will come back to your garden every year, for about 3-5 years, so it’s a great investment. What is this? Before you make any plant purchases, however, I want to remind you to always choose plants that thrive in your plant hardiness zone.

Why is my lavender turning GREY?

Lavender can turn gray because of frost damage or as a result of a fungal disease, caused by over watering or slow draining soils. Usually the fungus botrytis spp is responsible for lavender leaves turning gray although there are a few pathogens that may cause lavenders to turn gray.

Will lavender survive winter outside?

English lavender species are hardy, so can survive outdoors throughout winter and tolerate frost. Whereas Spanish, French and Italian lavenders are not frost tolerant and will need to be transferred to pots and taken indoors over winter, if they’re in a climate that receives regular frosts.

Where do you cut lavender stems?

Using small pruning snips or scissors, cut the stem there – just above the leaves or side branches. Once the center stem and flower is removed, the plant redirects its energy. Now, those two side shoots will rapidly grow and produce fresh flowers of their own!

How do you maintain a lavender plant?

Lavender Care Plant lavender in full sun and well-drained soil (add organic matter to improve heavy soils). Starting with the proper conditions is essential for successfully growing lavender. Water plants deeply but infrequently, when the soil is almost dry. Prune every year immediately after bloom.

Why does my lavender plant not smell?

The reason lavenders do not smell is usually to do with a lack of sunlight or soil that is too fertile. The less sun a lavender receives, the less flowers and oils will be produced which ultimately limits the lavenders smell. Lavenders need full sun and low to medium fertility soils to produce the best fragrance.