Cut The Lavender Well

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The size of lavender is an important step towards improving flowering and ensuring good growth in the lavender, at the same time compact while avoiding the formation of the old wood which gives more leaves.

Cut The Lavender Well

FAQ - 💬

❓ When should you cut lavender back?

👉 “Ideally, you should prune your lavender twice in a growing season — once in early spring and once in late summer, after it's done blooming,” she says. In early spring, Fedele suggests waiting until you see new growth before you prune. Then in late summer, after the plants have stopped blooming, prune again.

❓ How do I cut lavender?

👉 Using a clean, sharp pair of secateurs cut each stem back by up to a third, to remove the flowers and some of the green stem growth. Do not cut the plant back 'hard' by going near the woody base of the stem – it is essential to leave plenty of green on the stems when the plants are young.

❓ What does prune lavender mean?

👉 All lavenders bloom on the stems that grew in the current year. This means pruning can be done in early or mid-spring without sacrificing the current year's flowers. Pruning in spring can delay flowering—which might be your preference—and it's a good time to take down dead portions and shorten the growth to the buds.

❓ What happens if you don't prune lavender?

👉 Unpruned lavenders tend to become woody and have decreased blooms. However, lavender should not be pruned during the winter. Unlike many perennial plants and shrubs that can be pruned now, it is best to wait to prune lavender until after bloom in spring or in early fall before any danger of frost.

❓ Can you cut lavender back hard?

👉 Right after flowering, or by the end of September at the latest, give your plants a very hard trim, as shown in our lavender trimming video. Cut all the new growth back down to 1-2cms above the older, woody part of the stem, leaving between one and three leaf buds.

❓ What to do with lavender after it blooms?

👉 Using small pruning snips or scissors, cut the stem there – just above the leaves or side branches. Once the center stem and flower is removed, the plant redirects its energy. Now, those two side shoots will rapidly grow and produce fresh flowers of their own!

❓ Where do you cut lavender stems?

👉 As with harvesting, trim just above leaf nodes or side branches. Avoid cutting into the lowest bare woody growth. Take a peek around the base of the lavender plant: you'll see tough woody growth close to the ground that has no sprouts or leaf nodes, and more tender growth (green or light brown) above that.

❓ How long does lavender last?

👉 Fresh, cut lavender bunches can be put in a vase of water for 2-3 days. They will last up to 10 days in water, but if you want to dry the bunches, remove from water after 3 days, cut off brown parts of the stem and hang to dry.

❓ How much can you cut back lavender?

👉 After the plant is done blooming in the summer, cut back 1/3 to 1/2 of the new growth, being careful not to cut any branches down to the leafless wood. If you're too nervous to cut it back that far, then you can try deadheading lavender instead.

❓ Where do I cut back lavender?

👉 Step-by-step lavender pruning Find the woody base of your lavender plant - that's the spot where soft green growth meets woody stem. Follow the stem 2 to 3 inches up from the woody part of the stem that's marked on the illustration and remove the rest.

❓ Can I cut lavender back in March?

👉 The first trim needs to be done by early March. This is the trim that tidies up your plants for summer and encourages lots of flowers. Lavender that was planted last year must not be spared! It is often fine, even preferable to let a shrub settle in for its first year with little or no trimming.

❓ How to cut lavender plants?

👉 While you hold firmly onto the lavender bundle by the stems, place your hand scythe just above the wood of the lavender plant. You want to cut into the green stems and avoid cutting the wood of the plant. This is really the only tricky part about cutting lavender plants.

❓ How to cut lavender with a hand scythe?

👉 This is where the mighty hand scythe comes in. If you’re cutting more than a few plants in one day you’ll want this in your tool belt. While you hold firmly onto the lavender bundle by the stems, place your hand scythe just above the wood of the lavender plant. You want to cut into the green stems and avoid cutting the wood of the plant.

❓ What is the best way to harvest lavender?

👉 Harvesting and drying lavender is simple – start in the early morning when it’s cool outside and the fragrance and lavender oil concentration is at their peak. Pick a handful of stems and trim off above a leaf node or a side branch. Make sure not to cut too deep, or you’ll cut into the stem.

❓ What is the best cutting tool for lavender?

👉 The best cutting tool for lavender is a harvesting knife, but you can also use a sharp pair of scissors if you don’t have a lot to harvest. You’ll also need a bucket or basket to carry your lavender, and if you intend to dry the lavender bunches, have some rubber band on hand, so you can do it as you go and not have to go back later.

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Video: The Secret to Pruning Lavender.

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