Lavender is the jewel of the summer garden – humming with bees, shimmering in shades of purple, and filling the air with fragrance. But once its floral display is over, a little seasonal care will keep it looking its best. Pruning your lavender in early autumn helps it stay neat, healthy, and full of flowers for years to come. With a quick trim now, your plants will sail through winter and reward you with a spectacular show next summer.
Why pruning lavender matters
As lavender ages, its base naturally turns woody. Left untrimmed, plants can grow leggy, lose their shape, and bloom less generously. Annual pruning encourages fresh green growth and keeps those beautiful domed mounds that make lavender so striking in the garden.
When to prune lavender
The ideal time to prune is just after flowering – late summer into early autumn. This window gives your plants enough warmth to recover before the cold sets in, ensuring they remain strong and compact through the winter months.
How to prune lavender – a simple step-by-step guide
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Start with sharp, clean secateurs. Crisp cuts keep plants healthy and disease-free.
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Remove faded flower stalks. Snip away spent blooms to tidy things up.
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Trim back this season’s growth. Reduce the soft green shoots by about one-third, shaping the plant into a gentle mound.
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Avoid cutting into old wood. Lavender doesn’t reliably regrow from woody stems, so stay just above the green growth.
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Stand back and check the shape. Aim for a rounded “cushion” rather than a flat top for even, attractive growth.
Looking after lavender after pruning
Lavender doesn’t need fertiliser at this stage, but it does appreciate good drainage through the winter. If your soil tends to hold moisture, scatter a light mulch of horticultural grit around the base to keep the crown dry and healthy.
The reward for your efforts
Spend ten minutes trimming now, and you’ll enjoy bushier plants, sturdier stems, and clouds of fragrant flowers next summer – not to mention a steady stream of grateful pollinators.
If you love lavender as much as we do, explore our range of lavender products – from fragrant gifts to beautiful treats for your home!