‘Important’ guide to prune lavender for a ‘healthy and beautiful’ plant

Pruning lavender once a year is very important as it will slow down the formation of wood and prolong the lifetime of the plant.

Lavender experts at Lavender Backyard Garden farm have shared when and how to prune this plant for “healthy and beautiful” growth.

They claimed that the “best time” to prune lavender is in the late summer or early autumn, just after it has finished flowering.

They explained: “Pruning during this time will help to promote bushier growth and prevent the plant from becoming too woody.

“It’s also important to avoid pruning lavender in the winter or early spring, as this can damage the new growth and reduce the number of flowers the plant produces.”

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Lavender tends to grow a woody centre and stop producing new shoots. This means flowering will be only on the outside edges, not in the centre, “destroying its overall appearance”.

Step-by-step guide on pruning lavender

The experts said: “Pruning lavender is an important part of maintaining a healthy and attractive plant.” Follow these simple steps to learn how to prune lavender plants.

Step one: Prune the plant at the right time

According to the experts, timing is key when it comes to pruning lavender and this should be done just after the plant has finished blooming.

This will give the plant enough time to grow new growth before the cold weather arrives.

Step two: Remove dead flowers

Use a pair of pruning shears to remove the spent flower stalks and cut them off just above the first set of leaves.

The lavender gurus explained that this will “encourage the plant to produce more flowers” and prevent the plant from wasting energy on dead blooms.

Step three: Cut back the stems

Once the dead flowers have been removed, use a sharp pair of shears to trim back the stems by about one-third to one-half of their length.

Make sure to cut just above a set of leaves. This will help the plant to maintain its shape and promote new growth.

Step four: Don’t cut into the woody stems

Gardeners need to “avoid” cutting into the woody stems of the plant, as this can “cause damage and reduce the plant’s lifespan”. Instead, gardeners should focus on cutting back the green stems.

Step five: Remove any dead or damaged stems

Gardeners who notice any dead or damaged stems, remove them by cutting them off at the base. The experts said: “This will help to prevent diseases from spreading and promote healthy growth.”

Step six: Avoid over-pruning

While it’s important to prune lavender regularly, over-pruning can be “harmful to the plant”. Aim to prune the plant once a year in late summer, and avoid pruning more than one-third of the plant at a time.

The experts claimed that by following these “simple steps”, gardeners can keep their lavender plants “healthy and beautiful year after year”.