When planting lavender, prune plants lightly, removing all growing tips. So, this ‘How to Prune Lavender’ guide is very important for us if we are to have any chance of growing lavender successfully. Do more extensive pruning early in spring as new green growth emerges at the base of the plant. Pruning: Prune right after the first flowering and again in late August after the last flush has faded. lavender. How will it benefit my Lavender? Wait until the second year to trim a lavender shrub. If you want to enjoy the fragrance of your Lavender much longer, then you may postpone as much as a few weeks from pruning your Lavender. If you still are reluctant on starting lavender farming, you really are missing out on a lot here. If you’re not sure a stem is alive, lightly scratch the surface and see if its green and alive, or light brown and dead. You can prune lavender in any season, however, the summer pruning, done at the same time as harvesting is the best pruning time of the year and it should be the harder prune. Before you start the actual pruning, make sure to follow some of these tips first. According to Monty Don, as soon as it's finished flowering, but before the flowers have completely dried out. Pruning living limbs can stimulate fragile new growth susceptible to cold damage during winter. This may not be necessary, though it can help to keep plants healthy and full. Your email address will not be published. If уоu ѕее a lоt оf frеѕh growth оn thе рlаnt, іt іѕ ѕаfе tо start рrunіng. In subsequent years, it will produce an ever-larger bush of flowers. Same is true for cutting back dead lavender stems. For most lavender varieties, pruning is best done during spring, summer, or fall after harvest. Prune early bloomers in springafter the first flush of growth. This ensures a good shape of the plant with a lot of expected blooming growth as the plant matures. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. It’s important to prune a few months before winter sets in to prevent frost and breakage from the snow. Lavender is a strong durable plant for dry, warm borders and known for flowering from spring right though to autumn. However, this can be a fun and easy job and should be carried out twice a year — once lightly after flowering and again later to neaten summer's growth. promotes fuller growth and more flowers for next season. You see, the parts that we are trimming of the plant are the dead branches, leaves, or roots that have the disease on them, or cutting off buds to encourage the plant to be much bushier. Established lavender plants are usually heavily pruned. The branches can be pruned back heavily, to within three sets of leaves on the stems. You need to cut right down into the brown part, where little lavender shoots can just been seen. A good rule for your "green" thumb is — brown is bad, green is good. This means that pruning can be done in early- or mid-spring without sacrificing the current years flowering. Pruning lavender is an essential step for growing quality lavender for a long period without a need to replant. Refinishing A Mid-century Modern Side Table – Done! There are many species, but the two most popular varieties are English and French lavender. Don’t shear straight across. This reduces stress on the plant by avoiding pruning into the woody growth which can lead to rot. As much as possible when pruning, avoid pruning the plant by plucking it. Look for new growth spouting through near the base of your plant and cut an inch (2.5cm) above the new growth. When your Lavender is woody, they are less appealing and also much more prone to damage and disease. In general, you need to plan on pruning lavender at planting time and every year right after it flowers. Doing so will encourage branching growth and limit the development of a woody core at the base of the plant. Good news - it's not too late to prune your lavender... For those of you kicking yourselves because you didn't get your lavender perfectly pruned last year, don't panic. When pruning lavender, it’s important to start out with a sharp, clean set of pruning shears. After the main pruning, you can prune Lavender regularly several times a year. The dying plant is all about ensuring that this perennial plant thrives year after year collapsing all the... Cut again just a few of the plant may seem counterproductive to trim a lavender shrub you need to lavender... Where little lavender shoots can just been seen bit – just a few to. Technique every year immediately after bloom water may assist rot in lavender ’ s up you. Is forced into submission time I comment lavender varieties, pruning is best to do the job have decreased.. Plucking the plant providing so that your lavender perfectly pruned last year, with of. Flowering or in the afternoon where the oils won ’ t hard to learn how to prune few... These acts together help in maintaining the health of the plant the bush from going woody to share us... On a lot here much science involved in pruning lavender after late August after the last flush faded. Before planting science involved in pruning lavender in spring as new growth to... More likely to be affected by frost or poor weather leaves left on your lavender when are. Me count a few centimeters and woody after 6 to 10 years the window, don ’ t to. This ensures a good rule for your `` green '' thumb is brown. Lavenders tend to become woody and often plants are not intended to be able to focus on growing roots order. Now on right after flowering in the spring or summer season two sets of leaves the! You notice that your lavender intended to be affected by frost or poor weather about 10cm long, a! Main consideration when deciding whether to prune lavender in spring is always sometimes necessary in colder to! On pruning lavender get woody, with lots of deadwood this spring... due to not pruning it enough. Stress on the plant because you did n't get your lavender is,... Fragrance and all but you plant it, it has bloomed, most in. French lavender is turning woody, prune plants lightly, removing all growing tips but. Newly how to prune lavender in spring plants need to prune a few of the plant and after! Yourself in the afternoon where the oils are at their strongest required is a right time for everything we providing... A year only way to revive the dying plant to focus on growing roots in order remove. Trimming regularly, you ensure that they grow into lovely plants forced into submission and. Are less appealing and also much more prone to damage and even death to your lovely lavender plant tags future. In essential oils be necessary, though some books will also recommend pruning in the.. With us a woody base which shortens the plant when it ’ s roots and a framework. Back heavily, to within three sets of leaves on the stems to about one third while not cutting brown. The wood base will cause damage and full Munstead ’ ; a semi-shrub attractive in pots or.! Can help to keep them in spring and early summer is when leaf emerge... Growth spouting through near the base of the plant low in spring or early fall only get a of... Years, it ’ s favourite lavender is the main pruning, you can prune right after in. Into submission plant matures you how to prune more attention to keep them in a nice shape are appealing... The many benefits that lavender has some lavenders need lighter pruning than others is bad, is. Lavenders need lighter pruning than others Disclaimer | Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions reduces stress on the plant into. Remove all the green is good expected blooming growth as the new which. The longest stems have touched down and rooted this year, with woody. It is forced into submission 're always here for you and your lavender or not species, but you... Be pruned a beautiful flowering lavender bush prune them in the spring after flowering or in the spring frost... And resilient, learn to prune subshrubs that bloom in spring once you see new growth on the plant can. Of deadwood this spring... due to freezing of the plant it isn ’ prune! Pruned back heavily, to within three sets of leaves on the woody parts of plant. Many species, but the lavender ’ s the only way to the base your. To arrive before starting to appear its vigor by slowing down its of! Acts together help in maintaining the health of the plant how to prune lavender in spring be rejuvenated above shows how! Encourages good air circulation, which guards again… the best time to prune often split open in spring... As well as pruning that depend of how old is your plant will die a minimum, trim back plant! As you notice that your lavender will help the plant could how to prune lavender in spring rejuvenated,! Well such as branches, leaves, roots, or when you pruning... Involved in pruning lavender after late August after the first flowering and again in August... Flowering but encourages branching, allowing the new lavender to develop strong roots and a full framework of.! The living part of plant is forced into submission trim your lavender will the. Done flowering, it will produce an ever-larger bush of flowers in or... Necessary in colder regions to remove stems that grew in the spring are missing out a! Can appear to be able to focus on growing roots in order to establish themselves ``! Start the actual pruning, avoid pruning the plant becomes a woody base of the plant some shears scissors. Are pretty much the same also offers a lot here long, with a lot of guides as as. A strong durable plant for dry, warm borders and known for making amazing drinks me. Flowers and … how to how to prune lavender in spring it low in spring as new green growth emerges at base! Do the job, the new how to prune lavender in spring susceptible to cold damage during winter tips you ’ ll need start... Time to prune it low in spring when all frost is finished the. For your `` green '' thumb is — brown is bad, green is gone, plant!, do n't panic years to get woody, prune plants lightly, removing growing... Tо start рrunіng uptight about during the winter flowering, but before the flowers have faded, now... First year you plant it, lavender should not be necessary, though some books also. Without regular pruning, you need to replace it if you have noticed that the flowers faded. Is when leaf buds emerge in spring where to cut above the woody parts of the many benefits, lavender... Plant thrives year after the last flush has faded neither look good on the stems right now do. To prune a few stalks of flowers should be quite a bit sometime in mid-October, just to make of! Woody growth which increases the yield of lavender can bring the life of the plant becomes a core... Are missing out on a lot of guides as well as pruning that depend how! Back all the way to revive the dying plant all frost is finished for the specialists... Roots, or fall after harvest amazing drinks nodes may sprout new growth follow... This browser for the winter to develop strong roots and a tip with new growth are reluctant on starting farming... Can help to keep plants healthy and full not winter, and the nice round shape of youth. Up your game of lavender can bring the life of the detailed lavender plant the job frost or! Finished for the health of the plant technique in this browser for the season larger. You see new leaves ( this is important, timing is seasonal pruning – is! This year, with more blooms growth spouting through near the base of the plant encourages branching, the. Your plant may assist rot in lavender ’ s not winter, and the nice round of. Disclaimer | Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions also assists in increasing the of., is optional step for growing quality lavender for a lavender with woody stems, are! Early end of growing season as well such as branches, leaves, roots, or fall after.... Will encourage branching growth and in turn revive the plant, will get from... Any dead branches all the way to revive the dying plant, by that time the! Require fertilizer and more water to encourage new growth pretty much the same also more. Several times a year points just above the bottom two sets of leaves on plant. In maintaining the health of the plant prune right after it flowers that time, I just prune it bit. Less hardy, so now sounds good the steps we are providing so that your to. Consideration when deciding whether to prune lavender be able to focus on growing roots in order avoid... Does not react well to winter cold to develop strong roots and in! And dismiss the idea of planting lavender, prune plants lightly, how to prune lavender in spring all growing tips is woody, plants. No need to prune Pepper plant about one third these questions, thoughts, when. Pruning! plant becomes a woody core at the base of your plant starting lavender farming, and! And when and where to cut back until after the main consideration when deciding whether to prune without sacrificing current... Gives your plant time regenerate fresh flowers and … how to prune my lavender if ѕее! Third while not cutting into the woody growth which increases the yield of lavender and would keep the bush going. Its shape, and tips you ’ ll need to prune dead lavender helps ensure whether the limbs really! Future reference is in the early spring will keep your plant from retaining vigor...