Lavender is one of the most beloved plants in any garden.
Its fragrant blooms, silvery-green foliage, and calming scent make it a favorite among gardeners and pollinators alike.
But if you want your lavender to thrive in the warmer months, you need to give it some attention before spring arrives.
Lavender is hardy, but it still needs a little help waking up after winter.
With the right preparation, your lavender will reward you with a season of vibrant growth and endless blossoms.
Here’s how to get your lavender ready for its best spring yet.
Check for Winter Damage
The first step in preparing your lavender for spring is seeing how well it survived winter.
While lavender is drought-tolerant and thrives in dry conditions, cold temperatures, heavy rain, and snow can sometimes take a toll.
Walk through your garden and inspect each plant carefully.
Look for any dead, blackened, or brittle stems.
If a branch snaps easily and looks gray or brown inside, it’s dead and should be removed.
Check for signs of mold or rot, especially around the base of the plant.
Lavender roots hate sitting in wet soil, and too much moisture over winter can lead to rot.
If you notice soft, mushy stems or a foul smell at the base, your plant may have root rot.
Also, take note of any areas where the plant looks weak or bare.
Sometimes, lavender will lose some of its foliage in winter, but as long as the stems are still alive, new growth will appear in spring.
By identifying any winter damage early, you’ll know exactly where to focus your efforts when the weather warms up.
Trim for a Healthy Start
Pruning lavender is essential for keeping it compact, strong, and full of flowers.
Without regular trimming, lavender can become woody and sparse, with fewer blooms over time.
But timing is everything—prune too early, and a late frost can harm new growth.
Prune too late, and you risk cutting off flower buds.
For best results, wait until you see the first signs of new green growth in early spring.
Use a pair of clean, sharp pruning shears and trim back about one-third of the plant.
Avoid cutting into the woody part of the stems, as lavender struggles to regenerate from old wood.
Instead, focus on shaping the plant by removing dead or weak stems and encouraging fresh, bushy growth.
If your lavender is still young, a lighter trim is best to help it establish strong roots.
For older plants, a more aggressive trim will prevent them from becoming leggy.
Proper pruning in spring will keep your lavender looking lush and vibrant all season long.
Improve the Soil for Strong Growth
Lavender thrives in well-draining soil with a slightly alkaline pH.
If your soil is too heavy or retains too much moisture, your lavender will struggle to grow and may develop root rot.
Before spring growth begins, take a moment to refresh the soil.
If you’re growing lavender in the ground, loosen the top few inches of soil around the base of the plant with a small hand rake.
This improves airflow and helps moisture drain more efficiently.
If your soil is clay-heavy, mix in sand, gravel, or perlite to improve drainage.
For potted lavender, replace the top layer of soil with fresh, well-draining potting mix.
If your lavender struggled last year, consider testing your soil’s pH.
Lavender prefers a pH between 6.5 and 7.5.
If your soil is too acidic, adding a small amount of lime can help balance it.
Healthy soil is the foundation of a thriving lavender plant, so don’t skip this step!
Feed Your Lavender Without Overdoing It
Unlike many garden plants, lavender doesn’t need a lot of fertilizer.
In fact, too much feeding can encourage leafy growth at the expense of flowers.
Instead of using high-nitrogen fertilizers, opt for a light application of compost or a slow-release, balanced fertilizer in early spring.
If you prefer organic methods, a sprinkle of bone meal or diluted fish emulsion can provide essential nutrients without overwhelming the plant.
For potted lavender, use a liquid fertilizer diluted to half-strength once a month during the growing season.
The goal is to give your lavender just enough nutrients to support new growth and flowering, without making it too lush and floppy.
By feeding sparingly, you’ll encourage strong, fragrant blooms instead of excessive foliage.
Water Wisely to Prevent Root Rot
Lavender is famous for its drought tolerance, but spring watering is still important, especially if the season starts off dry.
However, overwatering is one of the quickest ways to harm your plant.
Once temperatures start warming up, begin watering deeply but infrequently.
A good rule of thumb is to water when the top inch of soil feels dry.
Always water at the base of the plant, not over the leaves, to prevent fungal diseases.
If you’re growing lavender in containers, check the soil regularly since potted plants dry out faster than those in the ground.
Make sure your pots have good drainage holes to prevent water from sitting at the roots.
A consistent but careful watering routine will keep your lavender healthy and thriving.
Mulch to Protect and Nourish
Mulching can help regulate soil temperature and retain just the right amount of moisture for your lavender.
However, it’s important to choose the right type of mulch.
Avoid moisture-retaining materials like wood chips or straw, as they can trap too much water and lead to root rot.
Instead, use a light layer of gravel or crushed stone around the base of your lavender.
This helps reflect sunlight, keeping the soil warm while also preventing weed growth.
If you live in an area with unpredictable spring weather, mulch can also provide insulation against sudden temperature drops.
Just be sure to leave a small gap around the base of the plant to prevent rot.
A well-mulched lavender plant is a happy lavender plant!
Train and Support Your Plants
Lavender naturally grows in a bushy, compact form, but if you have larger varieties or want a more structured look, you may need to provide some support.
If your lavender is prone to flopping over, use small stakes or garden hoops to keep the stems upright.
You can also gently shape the plant as it grows, guiding branches outward to encourage airflow and an even growth pattern.
For lavender that’s growing near walkways or in borders, consider trimming the outer edges lightly throughout spring to maintain a neat, rounded shape.
By giving your lavender a little structure early in the season, you’ll keep it looking full and balanced as it grows.
Watch for Pests and Disease
Lavender is naturally resistant to many pests, but it’s still a good idea to keep an eye out for trouble.
Aphids, whiteflies, and spittlebugs can sometimes gather on new growth.
If you notice small insects clustering on the stems, spray them off with water or use a mild insecticidal soap.
Fungal diseases like root rot or powdery mildew can appear if the plant is sitting in damp conditions.
To prevent this, make sure your lavender has good airflow and isn’t overcrowded by other plants.
If you see any signs of mold or disease, trim affected areas immediately and adjust your watering habits.
A little vigilance now will prevent major problems later in the season.
Final Thoughts
Spring is an exciting time in the garden, and your lavender is ready to burst into life.
By inspecting, pruning, refreshing the soil, and following proper watering and feeding techniques, you’ll give your lavender the best start possible.
A little effort now means months of stunning, fragrant blooms ahead.
So grab your gardening gloves, step outside, and give your lavender the care it deserves.
When those beautiful purple flowers start swaying in the breeze, you’ll know it was all worth it.