Jerusalem sage
Phlomis fruticosa · Lamiaceae
📷 Jean-Pol GRANDMONT · CC BY-SA 3.0
The gardener's calendar
In autumn, ease off feeding and take the chance to clean up around jerusalem sage and prepare for winter.
ID card
- Foliage
- Evergreen, grey-green and downy
- Flowering
- May to July, golden yellow flowers in whorls
- Adult size
- 1.2 m tall, 1 m wide
- Growth
- Fast to moderate
- Hardiness
- Down to around -8°C
- Origin
- Mediterranean region (Greece, Turkey)
- Soil type
- Well-draining, poor to average, tolerates drought
✓ Taxonomy verifiedSource: AI estimate · hardiness: reliability high.
Expert tips
The key tip
Phlomis fruticosa is an ultra-hardy Mediterranean shrub for dry terrain. Poor, well-drained soil, minimal watering once established.
The common mistake
Treating it like a classic ornamental plant with regular watering and enriched soil softens it and shortens its lifespan.
The pro's trick
Prune it hard (one-third of its length) in April, after flowering.
Care
Exposure
Place your phlomis in full sun for generous flowering and better foliage quality. It handles heat and windy exposure very well. Insufficient light may weaken branching and flowering.
Watering
Water regularly during the first year to promote root establishment. Once established, watering needs reduce considerably thanks to its excellent drought tolerance. In wet winters, limit watering to prevent root rot.
Soil and drainage
Phlomis needs well-draining, even poor and stony soil—it thrives in dry, rocky terrain. Improve drainage in heavy soils by adding sand or gravel. Avoid standing water, especially in autumn and winter.
Pruning and maintenance
Prune lightly after flowering to maintain a compact, bushy shape. Remove dead wood in early spring. Severe pruning can weaken the shrub's natural form.
Fertilization
No fertilizer is needed if your soil is poor to average. In very depleted soil, a light application of compost in spring is sufficient. Excess nitrogen would promote foliage growth at the expense of flowering.
Prevention and diseases
Phlomis is very robust and resists common pests and diseases well. In damp or poorly drained soil, watch for root rot. Good air circulation and adequate drainage are your best preventions.
Did you know?
Woody phlomis was once used in traditional Mediterranean herbal medicine for its soothing properties. Its Greek name 'phlomis' means 'flame', referring to the torch-like shape of its flower spikes that resemble little lit yellow flames. It's one of the favourite Mediterranean plants for dry-climate gardens, where it thrives with minimal care.
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
- ThymeThymus vulgaris
- RosemarySalvia rosmarinus
- LavenderLavandula angustifolia
- BasilOcimum basilicum
- SageSalvia officinalis
- BugleAjuga reptans
Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.