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Taking care of lavender plants in the spring is all about giving them a fresh start after winter so they can thrive all season long.
When you take care of lavender plants in the spring, you set the stage for healthy growth.
If you’ve been wondering how to take care of lavender plants in the spring, the good news is that it’s pretty simple once you know the basics.
Spring is the perfect time to tidy them up, feed them, and get them ready for those gorgeous purple blooms.
In this post, we’ll walk through exactly how to take care of lavender plants in the spring, step by step.
Let’s dive in.
How to Take Care of Lavender Plants in the Spring
Taking care of lavender plants in the spring starts with understanding what your plant needs after a long, cold winter.
Lavender is a tough little plant, but it does need a bit of attention in spring to shake off the winter blues.
The main things you’ll focus on are pruning, feeding, watering, and making sure the soil is in good shape.
When you take care of lavender plants in the spring the right way, you’ll be rewarded with a bush that’s full of life and ready to bloom.
1. Prune Lavender in Early Spring
Pruning is probably the most important step when you take care of lavender plants in the spring.
You want to wait until you see new green growth starting to appear at the base of the plant.
That’s your signal that the plant is waking up and it’s safe to start cutting.
Grab a pair of sharp, clean pruning shears and trim back about one-third of the plant’s overall size.
Don’t cut into the old woody stems though, because lavender doesn’t regenerate well from old wood.
Stick to cutting the soft, green growth and you’ll be fine.
This kind of pruning keeps your lavender from getting leggy and encourages a bushier, healthier shape.
When you take care of lavender plants in the spring with a good prune, you’re basically telling the plant to put its energy into new growth.
2. Improve Soil Drainage
Lavender hates wet feet, so making sure the soil drains well is a big part of how to take care of lavender plants in the spring.
If your lavender is in the ground, you can mix in some sand or fine gravel around the base to help water drain away faster.
For potted lavender, check that the drainage holes aren’t clogged and consider repotting it with a gritty, well-draining mix.
You can also add a layer of gravel or small stones on top of the soil to keep moisture away from the stem.
Taking care of lavender plants in the spring means paying attention to the soil because soggy roots are the number one killer of lavender.
3. Water Sparingly
When it comes to how to take care of lavender plants in the spring, watering is where a lot of people go wrong.
Lavender is drought-tolerant and actually prefers things on the dry side.
In spring, you only need to water if the soil feels completely dry a few inches down.
Overwatering in spring can lead to root rot, especially if you’re still getting a lot of rain.
If your lavender is in a pot, let the top inch or two of soil dry out before you reach for the watering can.
So when you take care of lavender plants in the spring, remember that less water is usually more.
4. Hold Off on Fertilizer
You might think you need to feed your lavender in spring, but that’s actually a common mistake when you take care of lavender plants in the spring.
Lavender thrives in poor to moderately fertile soil and too much fertilizer makes it grow soft and floppy.
If your soil is really poor, you can add a light sprinkle of compost around the base instead of a heavy fertilizer.
A little bit of bone meal can help support root growth, but go easy on it.
The key when you take care of lavender plants in the spring is to feed lightly or not at all.
Your lavender will thank you with stronger stems and better blooms.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When You Take Care of Lavender Plants in the Spring
Even with the best intentions, there are a few things people do wrong when they take care of lavender plants in the spring.
1. Pruning Too Early or Too Late
If you prune before you see new growth, you might cut into stems that won’t recover from winter damage.
Wait too long and you’ll end up cutting off this year’s flower buds.
Timing matters a lot when you take care of lavender plants in the spring.
2. Mulching Too Close to the Stem
Mulch can help with weeds, but piling it against the stem traps moisture and causes rot.
Keep mulch a few inches away from the base when you take care of lavender plants in the spring.
3. Watering on a Schedule
Don’t water just because it’s been a few days.
Check the soil first, because your lavender probably doesn’t need it.
That’s a golden rule when you take care of lavender plants in the spring.
So, How Do You Take Care of Lavender Plants in the Spring?
You take care of lavender plants in the spring by pruning early, improving drainage, watering sparingly, and skipping the fertilizer.
Avoid pruning too soon or mulching too close to the stem, and always check the soil before watering.
When you take care of lavender plants in the spring with these simple steps, you’ll enjoy a happy, fragrant plant all summer.
Happy gardening.