Cistus ladanifer
Cistus ladanifer · Cistaceae
The gardener's calendar
In autumn, ease off feeding and take the chance to clean up around cistus ladanifer and prepare for winter.
ID card
- Common name
- White rockrose, Gum rockrose
- Family
- Cistaceae
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Flowering
- May to July
- Mature size
- 1 to 2.5 m in height
- Growth
- Fast
- Hardiness
- -5 to -8 °C
- Origin
- Mediterranean basin (Spain, Portugal, Morocco)
Care
Exposure
Place your rockrose in full sun, ideally at least 6 hours per day. This Mediterranean plant fears shade and deteriorates quickly in it. A south or west-facing exposure is recommended in temperate regions.
Soil
Rockrose prefers well-drained, light and poor soil, even stony. Avoid overly rich soils that encourage growth at the expense of flowering. Dry or very slightly acidic soil suits it perfectly.
Watering
Water regularly in the first year to establish rooting. Once established, rockrose is very drought-resistant and requires almost no watering except during prolonged heat waves. Avoid excess moisture.
Pruning
Prune lightly after flowering to maintain a compact shape, never cutting back into very dry wood. Rockrose doesn't tolerate severe pruning well. Simply remove dead or poorly oriented branches.
Fertilizer
Fertilizer is not necessary on poor to average soil. If growing in a pot or very depleted soil, a balanced fertilizer in early spring is sufficient. Excess nitrogen reduces flowering.
Diseases and pests
Rockrose is not very susceptible to pests. Ensure good drainage to prevent root rot from stagnant moisture. Occasionally inspect the leaves, but this plant is generally very disease-resistant.
Did you know?
Cistus ladanifer has been known since antiquity for its fragrant resin called ladanum or labdanum, once collected by combing branches with specialized sticks. This aromatic resin, prized by alchemists and perfumers, features in certain luxury perfumes and religious incense, and continues to be used in niche natural perfumery.
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
- Grey cistusCistus albidus
- Salvia cistusCistus salviifolius
- Montpellier rockroseCistus monspeliensis
- Laurel-leaved cistusCistus laurifolius
- Curly rockroseCistus crispus
Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.