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Pruning Lavender

Writer's picture: Wendy Barnes-TarrantWendy Barnes-Tarrant


Native to the Mediterranean, most varieties of lavender are hardy in zones 5 through 9. A few varieties are known to hold up in the cold of zone 4 or the heat of zone 10. In warmer climates like zone 8, lavender has an evergreen, sub-shrub habit and may bloom throughout the year. When growing lavender in zone 8, it may be necessary to cut it back every year or two to prevent it from becoming too woody with age. Cutting and pinching lavender plants promotes more blooms and tender new growth, which contain higher concentrates of the plant's natural essential oils.

Start pruning lavender when it’s small to encourage your new plant to focus on making more roots and branching stems, which results in a nice mounded habit later. The dotted line in the illustration above shows you how to cut foliage and any flowers back by one-third to one half before planting. With the outside stems slightly shorter than the center ones so the plant will have a mounded growth habit from the start. You may get a light rebloom. Go ahead and remove those too.


Pruning lavender is crucial for improving the plants' beauty and lifespan. Annual trimming stops the development of a large, unsightly woody base and supports health and blooming. Early pruning for young plants fosters strong roots and an appealing shape, while mature plants require regular trimming after flowering. Proper techniques are essential to prevent plant damage and ensure long-term thriving. With appropriate care, your lavender can prosper, offering beautiful blooms and delightful fragrances.





Lavender pruning "Don'ts"

There are a few things you want to avoid when pruning lavender.

  • Don't cut back to the woody stems - they won't regrow very well, if at all.

  • Don't remove more foliage than recommended above. This stresses the plant and often kills it.

  • Don’t prune your lavender after late August. That encourages tender new growth which will be killed by winter cold, weakening the plant so it might not make it through another season. If you forget, wait until spring, when foliage growth is just starting.



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