Lavender is a beautiful addition to any garden, with its intoxicating scent and showy blooms.
But what do you do with lavender once it has finished blooming? Knowing what to do with lavender after it blooms is essential to keeping it healthy and looking its best.
In this article, you will learn the benefits of lavender, when to cut it after blooming, how to trim it to keep it looking neat, what to do with the cuttings, how to mulch, and tips for maintaining healthy lavender.
Keep reading to find out how to keep your lavender looking beautiful all season long.
Table of Contents
Short Answer
Once lavender blooms, it is important to prune the flowers to promote new growth and prevent the plant from becoming leggy.
To prune, cut the flowers off at the base of the stem and remove any unhealthy or dead branches.
After pruning, it is beneficial to fertilize the lavender with a balanced fertilizer in order to help it continue to grow and bloom.
Finally, lavender benefits from regular watering and trimming, so keeping up with these tasks will help keep the plant healthy and blooming.
The Benefits of Lavender
Lavender is an incredibly versatile and delightful addition to any garden.
Not only is it beautiful, with its vibrant blooms that range in color from deep purples to pale blues, but it is also incredibly fragrant.
The smell of lavender is soothing and calming, making it the perfect addition to any garden.
Lavender also has many practical benefits, such as attracting beneficial insects like pollinators and deterring pests.
It also has medicinal properties, making it a great choice for those looking to start an herbal garden.
Finally, lavender is easy to care for and requires minimal maintenance, making it an ideal choice for busy gardeners.
With all these benefits, its no wonder why lavender is one of the most popular garden plants.
When to Cut Lavender After Blooming
Once lavender blooms, the flowers will begin to fade after a few weeks.
At this point, it’s important to trim off the spent flowers to encourage new growth.
This is a simple step that will help keep your lavender looking its best.
To do this, use clean, sharp scissors or garden shears to cut off the flowers at the base of the stem.
Make sure to discard the trimmings in your compost bin or trash can, as they can spread disease and pests.
It’s also a good idea to avoid cutting the stems too close to the ground, as this can damage the plant.
Additionally, if you want to collect the flowers for use in crafts or potpourri, now is the time to do so.
Once you’ve trimmed off the spent blooms, your lavender plants should be ready for the next step.
How to Cut Lavender After Blooming
When the lavender blooms have faded, it’s time to give your plant a bit of a haircut.
This is an important step in keeping your lavender healthy and ensuring that it will continue to bloom in the future.
The best time to cut lavender is when the blooms begin to fade.
This will encourage new growth and keep the plant from becoming lanky and overgrown.
When cutting lavender, use sharp, clean gardening shears or scissors.
Start by cutting off the spent flowers, as this will encourage the plant to produce new blooms.
You can also lightly trim the stems of the plant to keep it from growing too tall.
Be careful not to cut too much, as this could cause the plant to become weak and susceptible to disease.
When cutting lavender, be sure to leave some of the foliage, as this will help the plant retain moisture and nutrients.
Additionally, you can use the cuttings to make a fragrant lavender wreath or bouquet.
Just make sure to keep the cuttings in a cool, dry place until you’re ready to use them.
Finally, consider adding a layer of mulch around your lavender.
Mulch helps to retain moisture and can help keep the soil from becoming too dry or too wet.
This will help keep your lavender looking beautiful all season long.
How to Trim Lavender to Keep it Looking Neat
When it comes to keeping your lavender looking neat and well maintained, trimming it is essential.
To do this, youll need a pair of sharp pruning shears or scissors.
Start by removing any dead or wilted flowers, as this will help promote new growth and keep the plant healthy.
Next, cut back the stems of the plant that have gone past their peak of bloom; this will help to keep the plant in its desired shape.
Finally, give the plant an overall light trim, taking care to avoid cutting off any of the new growth.
This will help your lavender look neat and tidy while also encouraging more blooms.
When trimming your lavender, its important to remember to be gentle and careful.
Avoid taking off too much of the plant at once, as this could damage the roots and stunt its growth.
Instead, focus on taking off just enough to keep it looking tidy and neat.
Additionally, make sure to clean your pruning shears or scissors after each use to avoid spreading any diseases or pests from one plant to another.
With these simple steps, you can keep your lavender looking beautiful all season long.
What to Do With the Cuttings
Once you have cut off the spent flowers, you will be left with a bare stem.
This is the perfect opportunity to take cuttings and propagate your lavender.
Cut five to six inch pieces from the stem and remove the lower leaves.
Dip the cut end of the stem into rooting hormone and then plant it into a pot filled with sterile potting soil.
Place the pot in a warm, sunny area and keep the soil consistently moist.
In a few weeks, you should start to see the new roots developing.
Once the roots have taken hold, you can transplant your new lavender plants into the garden or keep them in their pots for extra color and fragrance.
How to Mulch Lavender
Mulching your lavender plants is an important step in keeping them healthy and looking beautiful.
Mulch helps retain moisture, prevent weeds, and protect the roots from extreme temperatures.
It also gives the lavender an attractive, groomed look.
When mulching lavender, use an organic material such as straw, grass clippings, wood chips, or compost.
Spread a layer of mulch around the plant, making sure to keep it at least 2 inches away from the stem.
This will create a barrier to protect the stem from rot or other damage.
Be sure to water the lavender after mulching, as mulch tends to absorb moisture.
If you’re using a dry mulch, you may need to water the lavender more often.
Finally, make sure the mulch isn’t too thick, as this can lead to root rot.
Lavender is an attractive and fragrant addition to any garden, and with a little bit of care, you can keep your lavender looking its best.
By mulching your lavender, you’ll be able to keep the soil moist and the plant healthy, while also creating an attractive look.
Tips for Maintaining Healthy Lavender
When it comes to keeping your lavender looking beautiful, there are a few essential tips you should follow.
The first is to cut off the spent flowers as soon as they start to fade.
This will encourage new growth and help keep the plant looking lush and vibrant.
Next, trim the plant back lightly after it blooms.
This will help to keep the plant from becoming lanky and overgrown, and will help keep your lavender looking neat and tidy.
Be sure not to trim too much, however, as this can damage the plant.
Finally, consider adding a layer of mulch to the soil around your lavender.
This will help keep the soil moist and will help prevent weeds from taking over.
Mulching will also help your lavender retain its shape and will help to protect the roots from extreme temperatures.
By following these simple steps, you can keep your lavender looking beautiful all season long.
With a little bit of care and attention, your lavender can bring beauty and fragrance to your garden for years to come.
Final Thoughts
Maintaining a healthy lavender plant is easy by following a few simple steps.
After the blooms have faded, cut off the spent flowers and trim the plant lightly to keep it looking neat.
You can also use the cuttings to propagate new plants or add a layer of mulch to keep the soil moist and help the plant retain its shape.
With these essential tips, your lavender will remain beautiful and fragrant all season long.
So get out there and get to work your garden will thank you!