Lavender won't turn 'leggy' or sparse in summer if gardeners perform 1 easy job now

Lavender is loved not only for its pretty purple blooms, it's also an increadly low-maintenance plant. However, if your lavender has become leggy, woody, or sparse, you're not alone.

This common issue can leave your plant looking straggly. Whether you're dealing with overgrown stems, patchy growth, or fewer flowers than last year, there are a few key reasons why lavender loses its shape - and the good news is, most of them are fixable. A gardening expert has shared some valuable tips for novice gardeners to help them maintain their lavender plants - and prevent them from becoming "leggy".

Ish, a garden designer who goes by Gardening with Ish on social media, revealed there are several key tasks to ensure your lavender remains healthy. When a lavender plant becomes "leggy," it develops elongated, sparse, and frequently woody stems with reduced leaves and blooms compared to a well-maintained, correctly pruned specimen.

Ish stressed the importance of identifying which variety of lavender you're cultivating in your garden - either English or French.

The expert noted that English lavender tends to be more "resilient" but doesn't bloom for as extended a period as French lavender.

By contrast, French lavender will produce flowers for considerably longer periods, though it's less robust.

How to prevent lavender becoming leggy

"By stunting that growth, it'll develop a thicker side shoot, get nice and bushy, but not tall and leggy, keeping it nice and happy, and no woody bits."

Regarding proper planting techniques, Ish advised that lavender "loves a full sun border" - meaning the more sunlight, the better.

The expert recommended using well-draining soil for lavender, describing it as "crucial" for the plant's wellbeing.

Steer clear of planting lavender in clay or materials that are overly "moggy".

Ish said: "Introduce things like grit and sand to increase the drainage and this should absolutely thrive."

Discussing the topic of watering lavender, Ish clarified that the plant doesn't require much. He pointed out a common mistake is overwatering, which often leads to the death of the plant.

Ish stated: "Most people lose their lavender because they overwater it or water it daily, like most of their plants, and it causes root rot, and the root rote will cause black foliage and it feels all gooey at the top, and that just goes.

"So in order to get the best out of this, keep it in a lightly moist soil and let it dry out in between waters. When it's started, and when it's established, just leave it."

Typically, occasional watering and rainfall can help keep the lavender hydrated. To ensure your lavender receives all the nutrients it needs, Ish suggested using a "good, healthy" compost.