Sometimes Lavender tends to grow that way don't they. I see it as some what of a downfall in their growing habit. I am sure someone with more knowledge will come along and correct me if I am wrong. The good news for you is this can easily be corrected by a few simple pruning steps. The plant may not flower for a few years but that is often the nature of it's business. ;-] I am assuming this plant has never been pruned up until now. You will probably need a few steps to correct it's growth, especially outward bound and yearly pruning is defiantly a must in keeping the plant in a nice tight pleasing shape yet not falling out of it's natural shape. First try this ;- Early spring. ~ Since you say your plant is a good size clump, I would recommend pruning away the outer branches all the way flush with the main trunk. Even meaning cutting them back all the way down to the soil line. For example if your clump consists of 15 branches trim 5 away. Please bare in mind how Lavender or any other plant responds to the pruning also depends on it's growing conditions. If you have it planted in an ideal location along with well drained soil and proper watering regiment you should see the plant put on abundant growth in no time at all. You will need a different corrective pruning technique in the upcoming summer and then again in fall please bring it to the forums attention then. I am sure that many of us will gladly help you. I am of course here from time to time. Happy Pruning! Ankrara's Hobby Corner

Moving it outdoors when the weather gets mild would probably do the most good for the plant. FataMorgana

Well ecologica... I happen to prune into the foliage about 2 to 4" while I harvest wands in spring....Works wonderful for me. I get two rounds of wands per season. In April I prune a little heavier...sometimes back to 8" as long as I am cutting above newest growth. By mid May they are showing color. I can only talk about my experience; you can do whatever works for you! This was pruned to about 8" in April and the pic was taken May 5th; full of buds already... June 20th...just opposite the first one; treated the same June 27th different location; treated the same... June 29th...same as first pic now harvesting wands; repeat wands in late July/early August.

Was it a tiny little plant or a plant of some size? If it had some size on it, it may have been more than a year old anyways. As a rule, I don't prune young perennial plants (outside of mint, oregano, and lemon balm) until the second year. In the second year, I lightly prune. But if the plant is very vigorous, I may harvest more. It's the third year that I prune and harvest as much as the plant will take. I try to give the plant time to establish itself. I want to harvest for many years as opposed to one. Each plant is different. Some not only tolerate but become more vigorous being cut back to the soil line. Others you have to have a far more gentle hand with, pinching leaves and buds judiciously by hand. Learning what is best for each plant *before* cutting will increase your gardening successes. All that said, I never prune my lavender. It may need on occasional a light clip to neaten it but never a pruning. FataMorgana