Lavender’s a hardy plant, but it’s not invincible. Growing lavender on a large scale, you can expect to lose plants every year, either while they’re dormant in the winter or even during the growing season. We lost lavender plants this summer, as many have.
This isn’t only true for large-scale growers, though. Even home gardeners can experience losing a lavender plant.
In this post, we’re talking about re-planting: How do you know if a lavender plant is dead? And when’s the best time to re-plant lavender?
Lavender is a popular herbaceous perennial plant grown for its fragrant flowers and aromatic foliage But in cold winter climates, lavender can look dead and drab during its winter dormancy. Does this mean it is dying?
Understanding lavender’s seasonal growth cycle helps take the guesswork out of winter dieback. With the right care, lavender will return healthy and vigorous every spring.
Lavender Growth by Season
Lavender goes through distinct seasonal phases in its growth and appearance. Here is what to expect as the seasons change:
Spring
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Dormant plants begin sending up green shoots and foliage as soil warms.
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Flower stalks elongate and fat, green bud bundles form at the tips
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First blooms appear, typically starting in early summer. Bloom time depends on variety.
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Plants grow bushy and full through summer.
Summer
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Peak flowering occurs, with long lasting blooms.
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Plants reach maximum size and density.
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Hot, dry conditions are ideal. Lavender thrives on heat and full sun.
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Pruning or shearing should wait until after bloom period finishes.
Fall
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Flower production slows and ceases as days shorten.
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Foliage starts fading to a gray-green or silvery hue.
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Light autumn pruning can be done to remove spent flower spikes.
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Mulch added around base of plants to protect roots from winter cold.
Winter
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Plants enter a period of winter dormancy and dieback.
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Leaves and stems wither, dry up, and turn brown.
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Underneath, the inner woody structure remains alive but quiescent.
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Growth stops until warming temperatures arrive in spring.
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In very cold climates, extreme dieback may occur all the way to the ground.
Why Does Lavender Die Back in Winter?
Lavender originates from the hot, dry Mediterranean region. Winters there remain relatively mild. When lavender is grown in zones with very cold winters, the extreme temperatures, rain, snow, and shorter daylight hours shock the plants.
In response, lavender withdraws its energy down into its woody base and roots. It shuts down growth and goes dormant to conserve itself through winter stresses. Above ground greenery dies back due to:
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Lack of light – Shorter days provide insufficient sunlight to sustain growth.
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Freezing temperatures – Prolonged freezing kills tender shoots, leaves, and stems.
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Excess winter moisture – Wet soil and moisture on plants leads to decay.
Does My Lavender Look Dead?
It can be alarming to see lavender foliage shrivel, brown, and die back when winter arrives. But this drastic appearance is normal, and not a cause for concern.
Here are signs lavender is simply dormant rather than dead:
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Woody base remains – stripped down branches and central structure are intact.
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Stalks have some flexibility when bent instead of snapping cleanly.
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White or green color inside stalks shows living tissue remains.
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Leaves/stems pull out easily and lack moldy odor, indicating no rot.
As long as the inner woody skeleton survives, new leaves and blooms will emerge come spring.
Caring for Lavender in Winter
Lavender needs little intervention during its winter rest period. But provide protection in zones with very cold temperatures:
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Insulate roots by mounding mulch, straw, or gravel around the base to prevent frost heaving.
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Protect small plants with evergreen boughs or fabric covers to reduce wind/freeze damage. Avoid excessive heat buildup.
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Improve winter drainage if you have heavy soils that stay wet. Lavender hates wet feet.
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Prune only minimally by removing dead tops. Avoid cutting into green or living wood until spring.
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Water very sparingly, just enough to keep roots from completely drying out.
When to Expect Spring Growth
Be patient in early spring. Wait for lavender to show signs of life before pruning hard or starting summer care.
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Zones 6-7 – Early to mid April
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Zones 5-4 – Mid to late April
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Zones 3-1 – May
Let the last spring frosts pass. Then watch for tiny green shoots emerging near the woody growth centers. This promises your lavender survived another winter slumber!
Potted Lavender in Winter
Potted lavender often struggles worse in winter since roots are more exposed. Move pots to a protected area out of excessive wet or cold. An attached garage or cool greenhouse are ideal. Water only occasionally during dormancy. With extra care, container lavender should still revive in spring.
Enjoy Winter Interest in the Garden
Though lavender itself disappears in winter, the dried flower wands left standing provide architecture. Frosted seed heads sparkle, and dry foliage rustles in the wind. The summer green will return soon enough. So take time to appreciate winter’s quiet beauty.
With proper selection of cold hardy varieties, protection of roots, and restraint in watering, lavender will reawaken from dormancy once mild temperatures arrive. Trust in its natural resilience, and you’ll be rewarded with lavender’s grace year after year.
How to Check if Your Lavender Survived Winter
When spring arrives, use these tips to determine if your lavender is coming back or needs replacing:
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Look for signs of green growth – Check near the base and interior stalks, not just outer tips. New growth may be obscured by unpruned dead stems from last year.
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Do a bend test – Gently bend stalks in different areas. Stalks with flexibility still have life. Snapping means dead.
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Check inside cut stems – Make test cuts low on a few stalks around the plant. Green color inside means living tissue remains.
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Watch for new buds – Be patient! Wait until at least mid-spring before declaring lavender dead. Protect it from frost meanwhile.
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Remove dead sections – If part of the plant shows dieback, prune out the deadwood to stimulate new growth.
With proper care, your lavender should survive winter dormancy and thrive for years of beauty and fragrance in the garden!
If you’ve lost any lavender plants this year, here’s what you can do now to prepare for a re-planting in the spring.
Pulling out dead plants and preparing the soil now, rather than waiting until spring, not only makes spring planting and easier job, but also helps to replenish your soil as we enter into winter months.
So, right now, you can pull dead plants and get the soil ready for re-planting lavender in spring.
Here are a few things to consider as you plan out your planting:
When do you decide to remove a plant that is low-performing?
Lavender plants go dormant in the winter, and sometimes it takes them a while to show signs of life come spring. Always wait until at least May before deciding that a plant is dead! You don’t want to pull out plants pre-maturely. It’s better to wait a bit longer and see if a plant will bounce back, especially when it comes to lavender and other perennials.
When to decide to pull your plants out and replant can also can be determined if it is diseased or has severe die back and is performing marginally.
How do you dispose of dead plants?
Whenever possible, compost dead plants so they can return to the soil. If diseased, remove and burn.
Should you replant right away (in fall) or wait until spring?
Lavender plants need 8-10 weeks in the ground to get established before winter arrives. Depending on your zone, and how much time you have before your first freeze, fall planting can be a great option. Planting lavender in the fall often pays off, as plants thrive come spring. On the other hand, planting in the spring is less risky.
Should you replant in the same location?
Replanting lavender in the same location is totally fine. Just mix in some fresh compost and even a small amount of slow-releasing natural fertilizer when you re-plant.
If you’re waiting until spring to re-plant, should you plant a cover crop?
If you are removing plants on a large scale, consider tilling the soil, seeding a cover crop and perform a soil test where you will be re-planting to see what soil nutrient deficiencies may exist. Cover crops never hurt. If you’re waiting until spring to re-plant and are using a cover crop to cover bare soil through the winter, try an annual winter-killed cover crop like vetch, peas and oats or winter rye. The cold temperatures of winter will kill the cover crop, but only after they grow a bit during fall to provide a nice blanket over your soil. Avoid planting perennial cover crops, as they’ll come back in the spring and compete with your new lavender plants.
Preparing Lavender for Winter/Spring (and bonus Santolina)
FAQ
What does lavender look like after winter?
But even the toughest perennials may still look quite grisly after their long winter dormancy. A live, but dormant, lavender plant is usually a silvery colour, tinged with green. As warm weather and the sun approach, new, bright green growth will start emerging from the woody stems.
Do I need to cut back my lavender for winter?
The general practice for pruning Lavender is usually before winter. However, this is not a fixed rule, Lavander as a plant is very forgiving, and they are very hardy. Removing dead branches and clearing the bottom of the plant of debris to promote airflow is always good.
Will dead lavender come back?
Lavender comes back strong. Clear off all the dead bits and like others have said put it in a sunny position. With the new soil it should be good.
What to do when lavender turns brown?
Wilting, yellowing, browning indicate water issues in dying lavender. Environmental stress and pests lead to leggy growth and discoloration. Revive with proper care: watering, sunlight, temperature, and pruning.
Does lavender die in winter?
In cold northern climates, lavender may look like it dies in the winter when it’s actually just storing its energy in the root zone. The upper portions of the plant die back (and hopefully get pruned off) in the fall. This happens as the plant prepares for the chilly weather.
Will lavender come back every year?
If you want lavender to come back every year, remember: Lavender will come back after winter if you choose the right variety for your climate. Proper pruning helps lavender prepare for dormancy. French and Spanish lavenders may die after extreme winters. Gardeners in the coldest climates should opt for English and Lavandin hybrid cultivars.
Why does lavender go dormant?
When lavender is grown in zones with very cold winters, the extreme temperatures, rain, snow, and shorter daylight hours shock the plants. In response, lavender withdraws its energy down into its woody base and roots. It shuts down growth and goes dormant to conserve itself through winter stresses. Above ground greenery dies back due to:
Does lavender come back in winter?
The more cold-sensitive French and Spanish Lavenders are suited to climates with mild Winters and may not come back if they experience freezing temperatures. Whereas English lavenders can tolerate snow, frost, and ice and come back in the Spring.
Can you lose a lavender plant every year?
If you grow a lot of lavender, you will lose plants every year, either when they are dormant in the winter or when they are growing. We lost lavender plants this summer, as many have. This isn’t only true for large-scale growers, though. Even home gardeners can experience losing a lavender plant. How do you know if a lavender plant is dead?
Is lavender dead or dormant?
It can be alarming to see lavender foliage shrivel, brown, and die back when winter arrives. But this drastic appearance is normal, and not a cause for concern. Here are signs lavender is simply dormant rather than dead: Woody base remains -stripped down branches and central structure are intact.