▷ When And How Do You Cut Back Lavender?

Lavender is a popular plant known for its fragrant and pretty flowers that are used for decorative purposes or to extract essential oils and scents. It requires minimal maintenance, but pruning helps promote healthy and vigorous growth while preventing legginess and disease. However, cutting back lavender at the wrong time or using improper techniques can harm or even kill the plant. That’s why it’s essential to know when and how to cut back lavender properly.

When is the best time to prune lavender?

Lavender should be pruned at least once a year to encourage bushy growth and prevent the plant from becoming woody and sparse. The best time to cut back lavender is after flowering, around late summer or early fall. Pruning too late in winter or early spring can expose the plant to cold and frost damage, while pruning too early in spring can remove new growth and flowers.

How to prune lavender?

Tools needed:

Pruning shears or scissors
Gloves

Steps:

Gently remove any dead or discolored leaves, flowers, and stems by hand or with scissors. This helps prevent diseases and pests from spreading.
Trim the outermost branches back to the desired shape and size, leaving at least two or three pairs of leaves on each stem. Cut just above a healthy leaf set, about 1/3 of the stem’s length, to encourage new growth and prevent stem rot.
Remove any weak or spindly stems or branches that are crossing over one another or growing randomly.

Some tips:

Don’t cut into old wood, as it won’t regrow, and it can stress the plant.
Don’t over-prune, as it can reduce flowering and plant vigor.
Water the plant before pruning, as it will be less stressed and easier to handle.
Use sharp and clean tools, as dull and dirty ones can cause damage and disease transmission.
Wear gloves, as lavender’s leaves and stems can be sharp and irritating.

How to prune lavender in the winter or spring?

Lavender pruning in the winter or spring should be avoided, as it can expose the plant to frost and cold damage, and remove new growth and flowers. If you must prune lavender in the winter or spring, follow these tips:

Wait until the last frost has passed and the weather is milder and drier.
Prune only the dead or damaged stems and leaves, leaving the healthy ones intact.
Don’t prune too much, as it can weaken the plant and reduce flowering.
Protect the plant from cold and wind by covering it with a blanket or burlap.

Cutting back lavender can seem daunting, but it’s an essential task to keep the plant healthy, bushy, and thriving. By pruning it correctly, you’ll encourage stronger and more productive growth while reducing the risk of diseases, pests, and frost damage. Just remember to prune lavender after flowering, avoid over-pruning or pruning into old wood, use clean and sharp tools, and wear gloves. With a little care and attention, your lavender will reward you with fragrant and gorgeous blooms for years to come.

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Last update 2023-09-22. Price and product availability may change.

When And How Do You Cut Back Lavender?