Grey cistus
Cistus albidus · Cistaceae
📷 Júlio Reis · CC BY-SA 3.0
The gardener's calendar
In autumn, ease off feeding and take the chance to clean up around grey cistus and prepare for winter.
ID card
- Common name
- White-leaved Rock Rose
- Family
- Cistaceae
- Habit
- Compact and bushy shrub
- Mature height
- About 1 m
- Foliage
- Evergreen, grayish and velvety
- Flowering
- May to July, pale pink flowers
- Hardiness
- Moderate (down to about -5 °C)
- Origin
- Mediterranean Basin
✓ Taxonomy verifiedSource: AI estimate · hardiness: reliability medium.
Expert tips
The key tip
White rockrose establishes better when planted young, in poor, well-drained soil, without burying the collar.
The common mistake
Trying to salvage an old, leggy or oversized plant: cistuses don't rejuvenate through pruning, you need to replant a young specimen.
The pro's trick
After flowering, prune very lightly into green wood and embrace its natural shape.
Care
Exposure
Cistus albidus requires full sun exposure to flower abundantly and maintain its compact structure. A very bright location, for at least 6 hours per day, is essential. In shade or partial shade, flowering becomes considerably sparse.
Watering
Once established, this Mediterranean shrub tolerates drought very well and only requires regular watering in its first year. Gradually reduce water after it settles in. Avoid excess moisture, which causes root rot.
Soil
Cistus albidus thrives in well-drained, poor to moderate soil, preferably chalky or neutral. Light, gravelly or sandy potting soil works perfectly. Improve drainage by adding sand or gravel if your soil is too heavy or clayey.
Pruning and pinching
Pinch young plants in spring to encourage branching and a bushy shape. After flowering, perform light pruning to maintain the form. Avoid severe pruning, as these shrubs heal poorly on old wood.
Fertilization
A moderate application of balanced fertilizer in spring is sufficient. On poor, sandy soil, a light annual application (low-nitrogen fertilizer) can be beneficial. Avoid excess nitrogen, which promotes foliage at the expense of flowering.
Pests and diseases
Cistus albidus is generally very robust and rarely affected by diseases if drainage is good. Powdery mildew can occur with excess moisture. Check for spider mites in hot, dry climates. Good air circulation prevents most problems.
Did you know?
The Cistus genus has been venerated since antiquity: the ancient Greeks and Romans would reduce its resin to powder to perfume garments and sacred spaces. This resin, called labdanum, was so precious that it appeared on historic trade routes, rivaling exotic spices in value.
Where to buy it
Best planted in autumn so the roots settle in before summer, or in early spring once the frost has passed. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, October, November.
Add this plant to my garden →Plants from the same family
- Common rock roseHelianthemum nummularium
- Salvia cistusCistus salviifolius
- Montpellier rockroseCistus monspeliensis
- Laurel-leaved cistusCistus laurifolius
- Curly rockroseCistus crispus
- Cretan rock roseCistus creticus
Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.