Fall Care Tips for Lavender Plants and Potted Lavenders

As the weather starts to cool down in the fall, it's essential to give your lavender plants some extra TLC. This means pruning them back to about one-third of their height to prevent them from becoming leggy.

Lavender plants typically go dormant during the winter months, so pruning in the fall helps them conserve energy. This also encourages new growth in the spring.

Cut back any dead or damaged stems to promote healthy growth. Make clean cuts just above a node, where a leaf meets the stem, to help the plant heal quickly.

Be sure to prune your lavender plants in the fall, as this allows them to focus their energy on root development rather than foliage growth.

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As the weather cools down, it's time to give your lavender plants some extra TLC before winter arrives.

You can't divide a lavender plant, not even in the fall, because of its woody, shrub-like base that doesn't handle division well. This means you'll need to focus on other ways to care for your plants.

One thing you can do is apply a thin layer of compost to help nourish the soil. This will give your lavender plants a boost to help them come back strong next spring.

A few inches of mulch can also be a lifesaver for your lavender plants, protecting their roots from the constant thawing and freezing that can be so damaging. Traditional bark mulches, shredded leaves, pine needles, or straw are all excellent choices.

Just be sure to keep the mulch away from the main stem to prevent mold and mildew from occurring. You can use pine needles, straw, or shredded leaves, which are light and drain well, so they won't keep too much moisture at the main stem level.

Shredded bark mulches can work, but keep them a few inches away from the main stems to avoid moisture from freezing or rotting off the stems.

For your interest: Which Is Not a Function of the Stem in Plants?

Protecting potted lavender is crucial if you live in a location with below-freezing temperatures.

You can bring your potted lavender indoors during the winter, placing it in an unheated garage or cold basement. Allow the plants to go dormant and only water them lightly once a month.

Another option is to plant your potted lavender directly into the ground, using the soil to insulate and protect the roots. This way, you can dig the pots up and grow them as container plants again in the spring.

Burying the pot in the soil is a simple and effective way to protect the roots from the cold. The surrounding dirt acts as insulation, keeping the roots safe just like lavender plants growing directly in the soil.

You can also bring your potted lavender into an unheated garage or cool basement and water it sparingly, allowing it to go dormant. Watering lightly once a month will provide enough moisture to keep the plants alive.

Consider reading: Lavender Plant Cold Hardiness

Pruning lavender in the fall is not recommended, as it can leave the plant more susceptible to winter damage. Instead, wait until spring to prune, but for now, you can lightly prune any wild branches or stems without worry.

One thing you can do for your lavender plant in the fall is deadhead any spent blooms from the plant. This will help the plant conserve precious energy and stay stronger.

Lavender blooms on new stems, so pruning in early- or mid-spring won't sacrifice the current year's flowering. Pruning in late summer or early fall encourages good air circulation, which guards the lavender plant against rot.

To enjoy dried stem bunches or dried buds for cooking, cut the lavender when just a few of the buds on the stem have bloomed. This will allow you to enjoy a more vibrant color in the dried stems and the buds don't fall off as easily once dried.

Here's a step-by-step guide to harvesting lavender:

To determine whether the lavender is ready to harvest, the stem should break when bent. When ready, gently run your fingers along one stem at a time to remove the dried buds.

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As the weather cools down in the fall, it's a great time to plant new lavender in well-draining soil.

Lavender prefers full sun, so choose a spot that gets at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day.

To plant lavender, start with healthy plants that have developed root systems. This will give your plants a strong foundation for growth.

Prepare a planting hole that's twice as deep and twice as wide as the root ball of your lavender plant. This will give the roots enough room to spread out.

If the roots are clinging to the sides of the pot, you can "rough up" the roots to encourage outward growth. This will help prevent the roots from circling and promote healthy growth.

Plant your lavender with the top of the root ball even with the soil line. Backfill soil around the plant and press firmly all around.

Water to compress the soil and remove any air pockets. This will help prevent waterlogged soil and root rot.

Lavender needs full sun to grow best, so choose a spot that gets plenty of direct sunlight.

In areas colder than Zone 6, it's best to plant in the spring or early summer when the weather starts to warm up.

Planting in the spring or early summer allows the roots to establish themselves before the heat of the summer sets in.

In areas warmer than zone 6, it's recommended to plant in early fall so the roots can get established during the cool, moist winter weather.

This helps the plant get a strong start before the heat of the summer arrives.

Additional reading: Planting Zone

As the weather cools down in the fall, it's a great time to harvest and dry your lavender plant to enjoy its fragrance and beauty throughout the year. Harvesting in the morning after the dew has dried but before the heat of the sun has drawn out too much of the fragrant essential oils is ideal.

To harvest your lavender, use a small, scythe-like instrument called a harvesting knife or a sharp hand pruner. Cut the stems about 2/3 of the height of English lavender, or to just above the first two sets of leaves on each stem.

It's essential to shape your lavender plant into a tidy, mounded form by trimming back the plant until you've achieved the desired shape. Never cut into the woody part of the plant, which may not recover.

A first-year lavender bush will typically produce enough flowers to form just one or two bunches, while a fully mature plant may produce eight to 10 bunches of lavender. This means you can enjoy your lavender for a longer period, and even have some to share with friends and family.

To dry your lavender, hang the bunches upside down from hooks or nails in a cool, dark area. The darkness of the room helps the lavender flowers and buds retain color, and hanging the bunches upside down means the stalks dry in an upright shape—ideal for use in flower arrangements.

Here's a simple step-by-step guide to drying lavender:

Once your lavender is dry, you can harvest the buds by gently running your fingers along one stem at a time to remove the dried buds. Alternatively, you can shake a bundle of stems against your hand over a bowl or strainer to collect the dried buds.

In the fall, it's best to avoid overwatering lavender plants, as this can lead to mildew and mold issues, as well as rotting of the main stems.

Lavender plants thrive in well-draining, drier soil, so unless you're experiencing a severe drought, there's no need to water them.

Overwatering can cause the main stems to rot off and die, especially in the fall when temperatures are cooler and sunlight is less intense.

You don't need to fertilize lavender plants in the fall, as they don't require heavy doses of nutrients to set blooms.

In fact, too many nutrients can be a problem, especially excess nitrogen.

Instead, you can use compost to provide a low and slow release of nutrients. Add one to two inches of compost around the base of the plants after they go dormant, usually between late fall and early spring.

This will give your lavender plants a gentle boost to get them through the rest of the growing season.

By following these simple tips, you can help your lavender plants stay healthy and thrive even in the fall.

A unique perspective: Square Stems