Lavender care guide: when & how to prune, fertilize and spray
Lavandula angustifolia / L. × intermedia · USDA zones 5–9
Mediterranean sub-shrub that needs sun, lean dry soil and a yearly trim. It won't regrow from old bare wood, so never cut into the woody base.
☀️ Sun
Full sun, 8+ hours.
💧 Water
Low. Water deeply but rarely. Wet roots and humid winters kill it more than cold does.
🪱 Soil
pH 6.5–8.0. Gritty, sandy, very well-drained. Add gravel or grit to heavy soil, or plant on a mound. Don't add compost or fertilizer.
How and when to prune lavender
Spring shaping
When: from the last spring frost to 3 weeks after.
- zones 3–5: about May 10–31
- zones 6–7: about Apr 15 – May 6
- zones 8–10: about Feb 25 – Mar 18
Wait until new green shoots appear at the base of the stems so you can see where to cut safely.
- Remove any dead tips.
- Lightly shape the plant into a mound, cutting back to just above fresh green growth.
- Never cut into the bare, woody base. It won't regrow.
Tools: Hedge shears or bypass pruners
Main trim after flowering
When: 11–14 weeks after the last spring frost.
- zones 3–5: about Jul 26 – Aug 16
- zones 6–7: about Jul 1–22
- zones 8–10: about May 13 – Jun 3
Cutting back after the main bloom keeps lavender compact and stops it splitting open. It often reblooms too.
- Shear off all the flower stems plus 1–2 in (3–5 cm) of leafy growth, about a third of the plant.
- Always leave at least 2–3 sets of green leaves on each stem above the woody part.
- Shape into a rounded mound.
Tools: Hedge shears
Soil, compost & mulch for lavender
Refresh mulch
When: 2–6 weeks after the last spring frost.
- zones 3–5: about May 24 – Jun 21
- zones 6–7: about Apr 29 – May 27
- zones 8–10: about Mar 11 – Apr 8
Mulch keeps roots cool and moist, suppresses weeds and slowly feeds the soil. Applying it after the soil warms lets roots wake up first.
- Use a thin layer, 1 in (2–3 cm), of gravel or coarse mulch. This plant hates wet crowns.
- Keep mulch 2–3 in (5–7 cm) away from stems and trunks. Mulch piled against bark invites rot and rodents.
- Don't go deeper than 3 in (7 cm) in total. Too much mulch suffocates roots.
What to use: 🌿 Pea gravel or crushed stone mulch (stays dry around crowns)
Common lavender problems and how to fix them
Root rot / winter death
Signs: Plant grays and dies, often in late winter.
What to do: Usually wet soil. Improve drainage, use gravel mulch, and keep organic mulch away.
Woody, sprawling center
Signs: Bare, splitting woody base.
What to do: Can't be reversed. Prune yearly to prevent it, and replace old plants.
Lavender care FAQ
When should I prune lavender?
Spring shaping: from the last spring frost to 3 weeks after (around Apr 15 – May 6 in zones 6–7). Main trim after flowering: 11–14 weeks after the last spring frost (around Jul 1–22 in zones 6–7). Mediterranean sub-shrub that needs sun, lean dry soil and a yearly trim. It won't regrow from old bare wood, so never cut into the woody base.
What soil does lavender need?
Gritty, sandy, very well-drained. Preferred pH 6.5–8.0. Add gravel or grit to heavy soil, or plant on a mound. Don't add compost or fertilizer.
How much sun and water does lavender need?
Sun: Full sun, 8+ hours. Water: Low. Water deeply but rarely. Wet roots and humid winters kill it more than cold does.
What are common lavender problems?
Root rot / winter death: Plant grays and dies, often in late winter. Usually wet soil. Improve drainage, use gravel mulch, and keep organic mulch away. Woody, sprawling center: Bare, splitting woody base. Can't be reversed. Prune yearly to prevent it, and replace old plants.
More herbs care guides
Timings are given relative to your average frost dates, with examples for typical US climates. Always read and follow product labels.