How to Prune Lavender: A Beginner's Guide, by Garden Design on YouTube. 3 min 1 s.
- Video length
- 3 min 1 s
- Time to do it
- 15 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 8
What you need
Steps
Gather sharp secateurs and gloves. Clean the blades with rubbing alcohol so you do not spread disease between plants.
Prune English lavender in late summer, right after the flowers fade. In colder areas, wait until early spring if the plant needs only a light tidy.
Cut each flower stem back to just above the leafy growth. Do not leave long bare stalks, which can make the plant look untidy.
Trim the sides and top into a loose dome shape. Leave about 2.5 cm of green growth above the old, woody stems.
Remove dead, broken or spindly shoots with clean cuts. Cut back to healthy green growth rather than into bare wood.
Clear the clippings from around the plant. Water only if the soil is dry, since lavender dislikes soggy roots.
Check the plant again in spring and trim any winter damage. Keep the shape open so light reaches the centre.
Collect the trimmings for drying or composting. Wash your secateurs before using them on another plant.
Tips and common mistakes
Never cut back into the old, bare wood, as lavender often will not regrow from it.
Avoid pruning during frost or very wet weather, which can stress the plant.
Do not feed lavender with rich compost or manure; lean soil suits it better.
Lightly trim spent flowers through summer to keep the plant tidy.
Questions
When is the best time to prune lavender?
For English lavender, prune right after flowering in late summer. If you miss that window, do a light tidy in early spring once frost has passed.
Can I cut lavender back hard?
No. Cut only into green growth and leave a few centimetres above the old wood. Cutting into bare stems can kill the plant.
Why is my lavender woody and bare in the middle?
Lavender becomes woody with age, especially if it was not pruned yearly. Prune lightly to shape it, but do not cut into old wood; replace very leggy plants if needed.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
