Can You Divide Lavender Bushes

Yes, you can divide lavender bushes to create new plants and keep your existing ones healthy.

If you’ve been noticing your lavender looking woody, sparse, or just too large for its spot, you might be wondering if dividing is the answer.

The good news is that dividing lavender bushes is a practical way to rejuvenate them, though it’s not quite as simple as splitting other perennials.

In this post, we’ll cover why you can divide lavender bushes, when to do it, and the step-by-step method to ensure success.

Let’s dig into the world of lavender propagation and plant care.

Why You Can Divide Lavender Bushes

You can divide lavender bushes because they respond well to being split when done correctly, and it offers several key benefits.

1. It Revitalizes Older Plants

Lavender bushes naturally become woody at the base as they age, which means fewer leaves and less vigor.

When you divide lavender bushes, you’re essentially forcing the plant to generate fresh root growth from healthier, younger sections.

This process helps you replace a tired, sprawling shrub with several compact, vigorous plants that will bloom more profusely.

2. It’s a Free Way to Multiply Plants

If you love the look of a lavender hedge or border, dividing is a cost-effective propagation method.

Instead of buying new plants from the nursery, you can divide lavender bushes you already own and expand your garden for free.

Each division, if taken from a healthy part of the plant, will grow into a brand new bush over time.

3. It Improves Air Circulation and Garden Health

Crowded lavender bushes can suffer from poor airflow, which invites fungal diseases like root rot or mold.

Dividing lavender bushes opens up space between each new plant, allowing air to move freely around the stems.

This simple act of garden maintenance greatly reduces the risk of disease and keeps your lavender thriving.

4. Helps Manage Overgrown Shrubs

Some lavender varieties can get quite large and unruly, especially in warm climates where they grow year-round.

By splitting the plant, you can control its size and keep it within the bounds of your garden design.

This is often easier and less risky than trying to prune back old, thick wood that won’t regrow.

When Is the Best Time to Divide Lavender Bushes?

To get the best results when you divide lavender bushes, timing is everything.

Early Spring or Late Fall is Ideal

The optimal window for dividing lavender bushes is either early spring, just as new growth begins, or in early fall when temperatures cool down.

This is because lavender prefers cooler, moist conditions to establish new roots without the stress of summer heat.

Dividing during these mild periods gives the separated plants the best chance to recover before extreme weather hits.

Avoid Dividing During Active Bloom or Heatwaves

Never divide lavender bushes while they are flowering or during a summer heatwave.

The plant is focusing all its energy on producing blooms, and the shock of division can cause it to wilt dramatically.

If you must divide in summer, choose a cloudy, cool day and water heavily afterward.

Look for Signs of Readiness

You’ll know it’s time to divide lavender bushes when you see clear signs of decline.

Look for a plant with a large, woody crown that has little green growth at the base.

Also, if the center of the bush dies out while the outer edges look fine, that’s a classic sign that division is needed to rejuvenate it.

Step-by-Step Guide to Divide Lavender Bushes

Now that you understand why and when to do it, let’s walk through the actual process of how to divide lavender bushes successfully.

1. Prepare Your Tools and Site

Before you dig, make sure you have a sharp spade, a pruning saw for tough roots, and some compost on hand.

Choose a new planting spot with full sun and well-draining soil, as lavender hates wet feet.

Prepare the new holes ahead of time so you can immediately replant your divisions without their roots drying out.

2. Dig Up the Entire Root Ball

To divide lavender bushes, you need to lift the whole plant from the ground carefully.

Start by digging in a circle around the drip line of the plant, about 6 to 8 inches away from the stems.

Use your spade to loosen the soil and gently pry the root ball upward, keeping as much soil around the roots as possible.

3. Cut the Root Ball into Sections

Once the lavender bush is out of the ground, shake off excess soil so you can see the root structure.

Use your sharp spade or a knife to cut the root ball into two, three, or four sections, depending on its size.

Make sure each section has a good share of both roots and green, leafy top growth.

4. Prune the Divisions Before Replanting

This step is critical when you divide lavender bushes, as it reduces transplant shock.

Trim back the foliage on each division by about one-third to half its height.

Also, remove any woody, dead stems and trim back any long, damaged roots to encourage fresh growth.

5. Replant Immediately and Water In

Get your divisions into the ground as quickly as possible to prevent the roots from drying out.

Plant each section at the same depth it was growing before and backfill the hole with soil mixed with a little compost.

Water each newly planted lavender bush deeply right away to settle the soil and eliminate air pockets.

6. Aftercare to Help Them Settle

For the first few weeks after you divide lavender bushes, you need to maintain consistent moisture.

Water them every two to three days during dry spells, but be careful not to overwater as lavender roots can rot easily.

Once you see new growth, you can taper off watering and treat them like any other established lavender plant.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When You Divide Lavender Bushes

Even though you can divide lavender bushes, there are a few pitfalls that will doom your efforts.

Dividing Old, Woody Centers that Won’t Root

If the entire center of your lavender bush is dry, brown, and lifeless, it won’t root well after division.

Successful divisions always come from the outer, younger sections of the plant that still have active green growth.

So, focus your efforts on those vigorous outer parts and discard the old woody core.

Splitting Plants That Are Too Young

Lavender bushes need to be at least three to four years old to have a large enough root system to survive division.

Young lavender plants lack the energy reserves needed to recover from being cut apart.

So, if you’re hoping to divide lavender bushes quickly for more plants, you need to be patient and wait for maturity.

Letting Roots Dry Out During the Process

A common mistake is leaving the exposed roots sitting in the sun while you prepare new holes.

Even a few minutes of sun exposure can kill the delicate feeder roots on lavender.

Keep a bucket of water nearby to soak the divisions in until you’re ready to plant them.

Bad Soil Drainage at the New Location

Lavender is native to the Mediterranean and thrives in poor, rocky, and fast-draining soil.

If you replant divisions in heavy clay or soggy soil, they will likely rot within weeks.

Amend the soil with plenty of grit or sand before you divide lavender bushes to ensure excellent drainage.

So, Can You Divide Lavender Bushes?

Yes, you can divide lavender bushes, as long as you do it right.

You can divide lavender bushes to rejuvenate old growth, multiply your favorite plants, and keep your garden tidy.

Just remember the golden rules: divide in early spring or fall, always take sections from healthy outer growth, and never let the roots dry out.

With these tips, you can confidently divide lavender bushes and enjoy even more of that lovely fragrance in your yard.

So grab your shovel and give your lavender a fresh start today.