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Should I Cut the Dead Flowers Off of My Lavender Plant?
Cutting a lavender's dead flowers keeps it tidy. It also stops seeds from spreading and, depending on the plant, may encourage another flush of flowers.
Dead flowers lingering on a lavender (Lavandula spp.) have one sole purpose: To manufacture and release the seeds that will grow into the next generation of plants. Removing -- or deadheading -- them before they complete the job keeps the seeds from sprouting where they aren't wanted, and lets the lavender divert energy from seed production to continued growth. In some cases, it may also result in a second round of blooms.
Warning
Cut the dead flowers before they're completely dry, or the seed capsules may burst and release the seeds.
Tip
Lavenders grow in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 5 through 11, depending on variety, and they also bloom at different times of year. Planting more than one type may require several deadheading sessions.
How to Deadhead
Deadheading lavender flowers is no different from harvesting them for cooking or drying.
Things You'll Need
Clean, sharp stem cutters
Rubbing alcohol
Clean rag or towel
Trash bags
Step 1
Cut each dead flower back to three to five leaf nodes before its base. Between cuts, wipe the stem cutters' blades with a clean rag dipped in rubbing alcohol to avoid spreading disease.
Step 2
As you cut, drop the flowers into a trash bag for disposal so they don't shed seeds on the soil.
Tip
To speed the deadheading process on large lavender plants, grasp a bunch of spent flowers in one hand and cut them with the other. When you're finished, trim straggly ends back to leaf nodes to tidy the plant.
