Tree germander (Teucrium fruticans)
Care, watering, light and tips for Tree germander on Floravia.
Quick facts
- Family: Lamiaceae
- Difficulty: Easy to care for
- Watering: every 7 days
- Light: Full sun
- Temperature: 5–35 °C
About Tree germander
Teucrium fruticans, commonly known as Shrubby Germander, is an evergreen Mediterranean shrub noted for its silvery-grey foliage and small, lavender-blue flowers. Its dense, bushy habit makes it ideal for low hedges, borders, or as an accent plant in low-maintenance and Mediterranean-style gardens, providing texture and color for much of the year.
Native range
Mediterranean region
Care tips
It requires full sun for optimal growth and flowering, though it tolerates some partial shade. It is very drought-tolerant once established, so watering should be moderate, allowing the substrate to dry out completely between waterings; waterlogging is its main enemy. It prefers well-drained soils, even poor and calcareous ones. A common mistake is overwatering, which can lead to root rot.
How to save a dying Tree germander
- Warning signs
- Leaves shrinking, turning grey, or losing silver color. Woody stems drying and breaking easily.
- First aid
- Check drainage. Prune dry branches, water moderately if soil is dry. Protect from intense cold.
- What kills it
- Overwatering and poor drainage, causing root rot. Also extreme cold and severe frosts.
- Can it be saved?
- Yes, if roots aren't completely rotted and there are green shoots. It's a resilient plant.