How to Prune Lavender Plants

Lavender is a resilient, aromatic plant that thrives with the right care. Pruning is key to keeping it healthy and productive year after year. Whether you're maintaining young plants or trying to revive older, woody ones, the right approach can make all the difference. Using clean, sharp tools and a light hand, it's possible to shape the plant while encouraging vigorous growth.

Pruning Benefits

Pruning lavender promotes strong, bushy growth and keeps the plant from becoming woody and unmanageable. It encourages more flowers, maintains the plant’s shape and structure, and helps improve air circulation. This not only enhances the plant’s appearance but also reduces the risk of fungal issues and dieback.

When to Prune

The best time to prune lavender is after its main flowering season. In the UK, this usually falls in late summer, around August or early September. A lighter prune in early spring, just as new growth appears, can also help tidy the plant and stimulate early development. Avoid heavy pruning in autumn or late winter, as this can damage the plant during colder months.

Pruning Woody Lavender

Older lavender plants often develop thick, woody stems at the base, which can reduce flowering and lead to a sparse look. Pruning woody lavender requires care—cut back just above the softer green growth without going into the hard wood, as this often won’t regrow. If needed, rejuvenate a woody plant gradually over a couple of seasons by pruning a little more each time.

Should Lavender Be Deadheaded?

Yes, deadheading lavender helps extend its flowering season and keeps the plant looking neat. Remove faded flower heads once they start to turn brown and dry out. This not only improves the appearance but also channels the plant’s energy into producing more blooms rather than seed.

What Happens if You Don't Prune Lavender?

Neglecting to prune lavender leads to a leggy, woody plant with fewer flowers. Over time, it becomes less attractive and harder to manage. The stems grow long and spindly, and the plant may split or die back in parts. Regular pruning helps avoid this decline and prolongs the plant's life.

How to Propagate Lavender to Make More Plants for Free

Lavender is easy to propagate from softwood cuttings taken in spring or semi-ripe cuttings in late summer. Choose a healthy, non-flowering stem and snip just below a leaf node. Strip the lower leaves and place the cutting into free-draining compost. Keep it moist but not soggy, and roots should form in a few weeks. This method is a cost-effective way to fill your garden with fragrant lavender without spending a penny.

Different Lavender Types and Pruning

Not all lavender is the same. English lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) is hardy and tolerates harder pruning, while French and Spanish varieties (Lavandula dentata and Lavandula stoechas) are more tender and need a gentler approach.

• English lavender can be cut back by about two-thirds after flowering, as long as some green growth is left.

• French and Spanish lavender should only be lightly trimmed, just removing spent flowers and tidying the shape, especially in colder areas.

Recognising the type you have helps avoid cutting back too harshly, which could weaken the plant.

Technique Matters

Always use sharp secateurs to make clean cuts, which heal faster and reduce the risk of disease. Cut just above a pair of healthy leaves or new shoots. Don’t leave long, bare stems as these can die back and look unsightly.

Prune in a dome shape to help the plant maintain its natural form and prevent splitting in the middle as it ages. Shaping evenly also encourages light and air into the centre, which boosts flowering and reduces pests.

Two-Prune Approach

For the best results, adopt a two-prune strategy:

• Light prune in spring: As new growth appears, trim just the top centimetre or two to shape the plant and encourage early growth.

• Harder prune in late summer: After flowering, cut back to about two-thirds of the plant's height, staying above the woody base.

This approach gives structure early in the season and prevents legginess later.

Aftercare Following Pruning

After pruning, it helps to give your lavender a little TLC. Clear away any pruned material from the base to prevent rot or mould. In dry periods, a light watering can help the plant recover, but avoid overwatering—lavender prefers dry, well-drained soil. A light mulch of gravel can improve drainage and reflect heat, mimicking the Mediterranean conditions lavender thrives in.