How to Prune Sweet Lavender

Prune sweet lavender in early spring as soon as new leaves begin to unfurl at the plant's base. Cut the stems back by one-third, using pruning shears. In response, the bush will produce new vigorous growth on which a profusion of blossoms will appear later in the season.

Shear Lavandula heterophylla after flowering to reshape it into a neat form. Cut below the spikes of spent flowers above a leaf node. Perform this step before the plant enters winter dormancy.

Trim sweet lavender to harvest its blossoms for dried flower arrangements, potpourris and sachets. Track the herb's progress until half of the flowers have opened. Prune between two leaf nodes low on the plant for long stems. Cut the spikes early in the morning with shears. Tie them in bundles of 50 to 100. Hang to dry in cool shade with constant airflow.