Lavender is one of those plants that instantly transports you to a serene, aromatic garden, where everything feels just a little more peaceful.
But to keep your lavender looking its best year after year, pruning is a must.
October is an ideal time to give your lavender a good trim, especially if you live in the US, where winters can be harsh in some regions.
Pruning not only keeps the plant looking tidy but also encourages healthy growth and abundant blooms the following season.
In this guide, I’ll share my personal experience with pruning lavender in October, along with practical tips and advice I’ve learned over the years.
Whether you’re new to gardening or simply looking to get the best out of your lavender plants, this article will walk you through everything you need to know.
Why Pruning Lavender in October Is Important
Pruning lavender at the right time is key to maintaining its health and shape.
In October, your lavender is preparing to go dormant for the winter, and a good trim now helps the plant focus its energy on surviving the colder months ahead.
I’ve found that when I prune in October, my lavender bounces back stronger in the spring, with fuller growth and more vibrant blooms.
If you leave the plant untrimmed, it can become woody, overgrown, and produce fewer flowers next year.
I learned this the hard way with one of my older lavender bushes—it was beautiful for a few years, but after skipping a couple of pruning sessions, it became leggy and less productive.
Now, I make sure to prune every fall without fail.
Tools You’ll Need for Pruning Lavender
Before you start pruning, it’s important to have the right tools on hand.
This ensures clean cuts and makes the job much easier.
Here are the tools I recommend:
Pruning shears
A sharp pair of pruning shears is essential for cutting through the stems of lavender.
I’ve used dull shears before, and they can cause ragged cuts, which make it harder for the plant to heal.
Gardening gloves
Lavender can be a bit prickly, so I always wear gloves to protect my hands.
It also helps when handling the stems, especially if you’re working with a larger, bushier plant.
Small rake or hand fork
After pruning, I use a small rake or hand fork to clear away any fallen leaves or debris around the base of the plant.
Keeping the area clean helps reduce the risk of pests and diseases.
Once you’ve gathered your tools, you’re ready to begin pruning.
How to Prune Lavender in October
Lavender pruning is all about maintaining shape and promoting healthy growth.
In October, the plant has finished blooming, and this is the perfect time to give it a trim before winter sets in.
Step 1: Remove dead or damaged stems
I like to start by removing any dead or damaged stems.
These are easy to spot—they’ll often look brittle or brown.
By cutting these away, you’re helping the plant direct its energy toward healthy growth instead of trying to maintain weak stems.
Step 2: Shape the plant
Once you’ve removed the dead stems, it’s time to shape the plant.
Lavender naturally grows in a mound, so I try to follow this shape when pruning.
I usually cut back about one-third of the plant, trimming the stems down to just above where the new green growth starts.
This keeps the plant compact and encourages bushier growth in the spring.
One mistake I made early on was pruning too far back into the woody part of the plant.
Lavender doesn’t grow well from old wood, so it’s important to avoid cutting into the brown, woody stems.
Stick to trimming the softer, green parts, and your lavender will thank you.
Step 3: Maintain airflow
Lavender plants thrive when they have good airflow.
After shaping, I always check to see if the center of the plant is too dense.
If it looks overcrowded, I trim a few stems from the middle to allow more air to circulate.
This helps prevent mold and disease, especially during the wet winter months.
Timing Your Lavender Pruning Just Right
Pruning lavender in October works well for most gardeners in the US because it gives the plant time to recover before winter fully arrives.
However, timing can vary depending on your local climate.
If you live in a warmer region where frost doesn’t arrive until later, you can prune a bit later in the fall.
But if you’re in a colder area, it’s best to prune in early October to avoid cutting back the plant right before a frost.
I’ve made the mistake of waiting too long to prune one year, and an early frost damaged the freshly trimmed stems.
Since then, I always aim to prune a few weeks before I expect the first frost to ensure the plant has time to adjust.
Why Lavender Can Get Woody and How to Prevent It
One of the most common issues gardeners face with lavender is the plant becoming woody over time.
This happens when the plant is not pruned regularly, and it starts to develop thick, woody stems that don’t produce many flowers.
I’ve had a few lavender plants turn into woody bushes before I knew how to properly care for them.
Once they get to that stage, it’s hard to reverse.
Pruning every year, especially in the fall, helps keep the plant young and productive.
By trimming the softer, green parts of the plant each October, you can prevent the lavender from becoming too woody.
It’s also a good idea to cut the plant back more heavily in the spring if it’s starting to get leggy.
How Much to Prune
Knowing how much to prune can be tricky, but in general, cutting back one-third of the plant’s growth is a safe rule of thumb.
This amount helps maintain the plant’s shape and size without stressing it too much before winter.
If your lavender is young or especially small, you might want to be more conservative and prune just a little.
I’ve learned that it’s better to prune less than to prune too much.
It’s tempting to give the plant a dramatic cut, but lavender is more delicate than some other perennials and doesn’t always bounce back from severe pruning.
Avoiding Common Pruning Mistakes
Like any gardening task, pruning lavender comes with its challenges.
Here are a few mistakes I’ve made over the years that you can easily avoid:
Pruning too far into the woody parts
Lavender doesn’t regenerate well from old wood, so be careful not to cut too far down into the woody stems.
Focus on pruning the softer, green growth.
Waiting too late in the season
If you wait too long to prune, you risk frost damaging the newly trimmed stems.
Make sure to give the plant a few weeks to recover before cold weather sets in.
Pruning too lightly
While it’s important not to cut too much, pruning too lightly can leave the plant looking messy and unbalanced.
A good rule is to cut back about one-third of the plant, which encourages fuller growth next year.
Winter Care for Lavender After Pruning
After pruning your lavender in October, it’s time to prepare the plant for winter.
Lavender is fairly hardy, but it can still benefit from a little extra protection, especially in colder regions.
I like to add a layer of mulch around the base of the plant after pruning.
This helps insulate the roots and keeps the soil from freezing too quickly.
Be sure not to pile the mulch against the stems, as this can trap moisture and lead to rot.
If you live in an area with particularly harsh winters, you can also cover the plant with burlap or a frost blanket for added protection.
I’ve done this with a few of my lavender plants that are more exposed to the elements, and it’s helped them survive even the coldest winters.
Encouraging Blooms for Next Year
One of the best parts of pruning lavender in October is knowing that you’re setting the stage for beautiful blooms next year.
By cutting back the plant and keeping it healthy, you’re encouraging new growth that will produce more flowers in the spring.
I’ve noticed that when I prune my lavender regularly, it blooms more abundantly and stays more compact.
Skipping pruning leads to fewer flowers and a more unruly, leggy plant.
So, even if it feels like a chore in the fall, it’s well worth the effort when spring rolls around.
How to Deal with Overgrown Lavender
If you have a lavender plant that’s gotten a bit out of control, October is a good time to rein it in.
Start by cutting the plant back by about one-third, and then take a step back to assess its shape.
If the lavender is especially overgrown or woody, you may need to prune more aggressively in the spring.
Just be careful not to cut too much at once, as lavender doesn’t respond well to heavy pruning in one go.
I had a lavender bush that grew so large it started crowding out other plants in my garden.
By pruning it back in stages—once in the fall and again in the spring—I was able to get it under control without stressing the plant too much.
What to Do with Pruned Lavender
Once you’ve pruned your lavender, you’ll have plenty of fragrant stems to work with.
Rather than tossing them in the compost pile, consider using them around your home.
Drying lavender
I like to dry the lavender I’ve pruned by hanging small bundles upside down in a cool, dry place.
Once it’s dry, you can use it in sachets, potpourri, or even homemade soap.
Using lavender in crafts
Lavender stems can also be used in various crafts.
I’ve made wreaths and dried arrangements with the leftover stems, which adds a nice touch of fragrance to my home.
Composting
If you don’t want to keep the pruned lavender, you can always compost it.
Lavender breaks down well and adds organic material back into your compost pile.
Final Thoughts
Pruning lavender in October is one of those tasks that pays off in the long run.
By giving your plant a good trim before winter, you’re helping it stay healthy, maintain its shape, and produce more flowers next year.
Over the years, I’ve found that regular pruning is the key to keeping lavender looking its best.
It can seem intimidating at first, but once you get the hang of it, it’s a straightforward process that doesn’t take much time.
So grab your pruning shears, head out to the garden, and give your lavender the care it needs.
Your plant—and your nose—will thank you next spring when those beautiful, fragrant blooms return!