Gardening Tips | How to Prune Lavender Plant

At Lavender Backyard Garden, we believe that beautiful, healthy lavender starts with good care. Whether you're growing a few pots on your balcony or tending rows in a garden, one essential practice makes all the difference: pruning.
Proper pruning helps your lavender stay neat, vibrant, and long-lasting—encouraging fresh growth, more blooms, and better plant health. In this guide, you’ll learn exactly when and how to prune lavender, how to avoid common mistakes, and get simple care tips for every season. Plus, don’t forget to download our free Lavender Pruning Cheat Sheet (PDF) for a printable summary you can take straight to the garden.
🔎 Table of Contents
- Why Pruning is Essential for Lavender
- When to Prune Lavender
- Spring vs Autumn Pruning Comparison
- How to Prune Your Lavender Plant: A Step-by-Step Guide
- Common Mistakes When Pruning Lavender
- Lavender Care: Fertilising, Pests, and Disease Prevention
- Frequently Asked Questions About Pruning Lavender
- Healthy Lavender for High-Quality Essential Oil
✂️ Why Pruning is Essential for Lavender
Pruning lavender during autumn is key to maintaining a healthy and vibrant plant. Here's why it’s so important:
1. Promotes Growth
Pruning encourages new growth, helping to keep your lavender plants healthy. By removing spent flowers and dead stems, the plant redirects its energy into producing fresh shoots and foliage.
2. Prevents Disease
Autumn pruning removes diseased or damaged parts of the plant, reducing the risk of fungal infections. It also improves air circulation, which helps prevent moisture buildup—a common cause of disease.
3. Shapes the Plant
Pruning keeps the lavender plant looking neat and well-shaped. Regular autumn trimming allows it to develop a strong structure before winter, maintaining the plant’s size and form.
4. Prepares for Winter
By trimming before winter, you prevent the accumulation of dead foliage, which can harbour pests and diseases. It also reduces the weight on branches, protecting them from potential snow or ice damage.
⏳ When to Prune Lavender
The best time to prune lavender is in the late summer or early autumn, just after it has finished flowering. Pruning during this time will help to promote bushier growth and prevent the plant from becoming too woody. Avoid pruning lavender in winter or early spring, as this can damage the new growth and reduce the number of flowers the plant produces.
✂️ Spring vs Autumn Pruning: What’s the Difference?
Lavender can be pruned in both spring and autumn, but the timing affects how the plant responds. Choosing the right pruning season depends on your climate, the age of your plant, and your goals—whether it's encouraging blooms, controlling shape, or removing winter damage.
Here’s a quick comparison of spring versus autumn pruning to help you decide the best approach for your lavender:
Pruning Season | Best For | What to Avoid | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
Early Spring | Tidying up winter damage and shaping before growth begins | Cutting into frost-damaged or newly forming growth | Good for cold climates where autumn pruning may risk frost damage |
Late Summer / Autumn | Shaping the plant, removing spent flowers, and controlling woody growth | Pruning too close to winter in cold regions | Ideal for long-term health and preparing the plant for winter dormancy |
🌿 How to Prune Your Lavender Plant: A Step-by-Step Guide
Follow these simple steps to ensure your lavender remains healthy and beautiful:
- Prune One-Third of the Plant: Trim about one-third of the plant, reshaping it into a neat mound. For leggy varieties, focus on keeping them well-shaped.
- Avoid Cutting Into Woody Stems: Never prune down to the woody base, as this can damage the plant and hinder regrowth.
- Prune Timing: Prune in late summer after blooming to encourage new growth before winter.
- Remove Dead Flowers: Cut off dead flowers just above the first set of leaves. This encourages more blooms and helps the plant conserve energy.
- Trim Back Stems: Cut the stems by one-third to one-half of their length, always above a set of leaves.
- Remove Dead or Damaged Stems: Trim any dead or damaged stems to prevent disease spread.
- Don’t Over-Prune: Avoid cutting more than one-third of the plant at a time to prevent weakening the lavender.
Following these steps will keep your lavender plant healthy and productive for years to come.

(Illustration shows our early April pruning line in blue and the woody base line to avoid in red.)
📥 Free Download: Lavender Pruning Cheat Sheet
Want a handy one-page version of our pruning tips? Download our printable Lavender Pruning Guide and keep it in your garden shed or greenhouse.
Download Now (PDF)🌸 Common Mistakes When Pruning Lavender
Avoid these common mistakes to keep your lavender plant healthy and thriving:
- Pruning too late in the season: Cutting too close to winter may expose new growth to frost damage.
- Cutting into the woody base: Lavender doesn’t regrow from old wood. Always leave some green stems.
- Pruning too lightly every year: Without shaping, the plant will become woody and spindly over time.
- Skipping annual pruning: Lack of pruning leads to leggy plants and fewer flowers.
- Watering after pruning: Lavender prefers dry conditions. Avoid overwatering after trimming.
These small errors can have long-term effects on your plant's health and oil yield.
🌱 Lavender Care: Fertilising, Pests, and Disease Prevention
Fertilising Lavender
For healthy lavender growth, start by placing a slow-release fertiliser in the planting hole when first planting. To maintain optimal growth, apply an all-purpose fertiliser in early spring and again in late summer to support blooming and plant health.
Common Pests and Diseases
Lavender is naturally resistant to most pests and diseases, but a few issues can arise.
Root Rot
One of the most common problems lavender faces is root rot, usually caused by poor drainage. Prevent this by ensuring well-drained soil and avoiding excessive watering.
Spittle Bug
The Spittle Bug appears in early summer, leaving unsightly foamy spots on the plant. While it does not cause significant harm, it can be removed by:
- Hosing off with a strong stream of water
- Manually removing the insects from the plant
Garden Weevil
The Garden Weevil feeds on lavender stems, particularly the mature flower heads, causing them to wither and dry out. This pest is challenging to control organically, but potential solutions include:
- Using a contact pesticide for effective removal
- Applying pyrethrum oil to help reduce damage naturally
❓ Frequently Asked Questions About Pruning Lavender
Q: What should I do with woody, overgrown lavender?
A: When lavender becomes woody and overgrown, it’s often due to age or lack of regular pruning. You can trim back about one-third of the green growth to reshape it, but avoid cutting into the bare, woody stems as they won't regenerate. For long-term health, prune lightly every year to maintain a bushy shape and prevent woodiness.
Q: Can I save a woody lavender plant?
A: Yes, it’s possible to rejuvenate a woody lavender plant, but it takes patience. Focus on pruning only the soft, green parts — never the bare wood. You can also take cuttings from the healthiest stems to propagate new plants. If the plant doesn’t bounce back after a season or two, replacing it may be the best option.
Q: How do I reshape an old lavender plant?
A: To reshape an old lavender plant, prune it back by about one-third after flowering or in early spring. Always leave some green foliage to encourage new growth. Avoid cutting into the woody base. With consistent shaping each year, you’ll maintain a more compact and attractive plant.
Q: Should I cut lavender back to the ground?
A: No, never cut lavender back to the ground. Lavender cannot grow from old, woody stems that have no leaves. Always prune above the woody base, leaving some green growth intact to promote healthy regrowth and flowering in the next season.
Q: Does lavender grow back after pruning?
A: Yes, lavender regrows well after proper pruning. Make sure to trim only the green, leafy parts and avoid cutting into bare wood. With correct timing — typically late summer or early spring — pruning helps the plant grow fuller and bloom more abundantly.
Q: Does lavender bloom all year round?
A: Most lavender varieties bloom from late spring through summer. However, some varieties such as Lavandula dentata, Lavandula pinnata Sidonie, and the Lavandula Leigh series can flower almost year-round in warmer climates. Blooming cycles depend on the specific type and your local weather conditions.
Q: How long can a lavender plant live?
A: Lavender plants can live up to 10 years or more with proper care. Annual pruning, good drainage, and full sunlight help maintain the plant’s health. Without pruning, the plant may become woody, sparse, and less productive over time.
💜 From Plant to Product: Experience the Power of Lavender
Healthy, well-pruned lavender plants are the foundation of truly exceptional essential oil. At Lavender Backyard Garden, we grow Lavandula x Intermedia on our New Zealand farm—carefully selected for its rich aroma and high-quality oil content.
Our essential oil is steam-distilled on-site in small batches to preserve its purity and potency. Curious how it’s made? Take a behind-the-scenes look at our fields and distillation process to see how your favourite lavender products come to life.
🌿 Discover Our Best-Selling Lavender Products:
- Lavender Essential Oil – Pure, calming, and versatile for daily wellness
- Lavender Sleep Spray – A natural sleep aid to help you unwind and rest
- Lavender Bath Salts – Soothing relaxation for mind and body with every soak
🌸 Crafted with care from our farm to your home.
🌿 Want More Lavender Growing Tips?
Explore our full Lavender Plant Care & Growing Guide for expert insights on planting, pruning, fertilising, and harvesting. Whether you're a first-time grower or a lavender lover, this guide has everything you need to grow healthy, fragrant lavender at home.