Lavender is loved for its fragrant blooms, soothing color, and low-maintenance nature—but without proper pruning, it can quickly become woody, leggy, and sparse. Pruning is essential for keeping your lavender compact, healthy, and blooming beautifully year after year. Here’s a simple guide on when and how to prune lavender for the best floral results.
Why Prune Lavender?
- Encourages more blooms: Pruning stimulates new growth, where flowers form.
- Prevents woody stems: Regular trimming helps maintain soft, green growth.
- Shapes the plant: Pruning keeps lavender tidy, compact, and attractive.
When to Prune Lavender
The timing depends on your climate and the variety you’re growing:
- Main pruning: Late summer or early fall, right after the plant finishes flowering. This gives lavender time to harden before winter.
- Early spring to remove winter damage or lightly shape the plant—avoid heavy pruning at this time.
Tip: Avoid pruning late in fall, especially in colder climates, as new growth may be damaged by frost.
How to Prune Lavender (Step-by-Step)
- Step 1: Wait until flowering is finished (late summer to early fall).
- Step 2: Use sharp, clean pruning shears to cut back about one-third of the plant’s height.
- Step 3: Trim above green leafy growth—never cut into the woody base, as it may not regrow.
- Step 4: Shape into a gentle mound to encourage balanced growth.
Special Tips by Variety
- English Lavender: Tolerates heavier pruning. Great for shaping into neat mounds.
- French and Spanish Lavenders: Prune more lightly and often, as these varieties are more tender and bloom longer.
What to Avoid
- Never prune into old wood with no green growth.
- Don’t skip annual pruning—unpruned plants become woody and lose vigor over time.
- Avoid heavy pruning late in the season if frost is expected soon.
With the right timing and technique, pruning your lavender ensures a full, bushy plant with tons of fragrant blooms. A few minutes of care each year will reward you with a healthier plant and a garden filled with color and scent.
